How to cook turkey bacon in the oven to crispy or tender to your liking for breakfast is great. A high protein low fat side dish with eggs. Bacon in the Oven with Aluminum Foil works great, this time we are making a healthy version you’ll love too.
Baking turkey bacon is as easy as pork bacon but healthier. Just put it in the oven on your baking rack and in about a 15 minutes cook time you have yourself a delicious crispy piece of meat to enjoy with your family on the weekends. (affiliate links present)
How to Cook Turkey Bacon in the Oven
You may have made our Pork Belly Bites in the Oven and fell in love. BUT now it is a new year and we are all still in the mode of watching our weight (hopefully that lasts). Did you know you could get that same great crispy texture but with strips that have less saturated fat? Ok, not exactly the same but a decent alternative. 😉
In the oven you can cook the perfect duo for a crowd this way too. Instead of trying to use a pan for this and another for that, in multiple batches you can cook a bunch all at once. Fill one with these and make Frozen Hashbrowns in Oven at the same time too!! We will share how to add a dish of eggs too below.
Frozen Turkey Bacon in the Oven
In the past we already discussed How to Cook Frozen Bacon, this time we are using defrosted. Which do I prefer? I mean thawed is always best with meats for sure but I get that you don’t always have time to do so before your kids get super hangry.
You can cook Frozen Bacon in Air Fryer this way too. A great alternative if you are in a rush and trying to get all the things done. We are focusing on baking all in one device though here. The biggest thing you want to remember is to lay in a single layer and not overlap your slices. That is the best way to get an even crisp.
Thawing bacon in the refrigerator is the safest method because it keeps it at a consistent, safe temperature. Place package on a plate or tray to catch any drips, then place it in the fridge. Allow it to thaw overnight or for several hours, depending on the thickness.
How to Thaw Bacon in a Cold Water Bath can be done more quickly. Seal the package in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent water from entering. Submerge the bag in a bowl or sink filled with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes so it stays cool.
Thaw frozen bacon in the microwave is okay if you’re in a hurry and you’re going to cook it immediately after. Place unwrapped bacon on a microwave-safe plate and use the defrost setting or low power setting to thaw it enough to separate the slices.
How Long do You Bake Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Definitely not as long as it does for Smoked Bacon, but that is quite wonderful too to get an altogether different flavor to each piece. You are looking at about 15 minutes or so depending on the texture you desire at the end. Stiffer will take longer than keeping it tender.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Crispy turkey bacon – if you want yours very crispy, set a wire rack on top of the sheet pan and spray lightly with non stick spray. Arrange slices on rack in a single layer.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until as crispy as you’d like.
- Tender turkey bacon – if you want to cook but keep pieces more tender, spray aluminum on pan lightly with non stick spray and lay pieces in a single layer on the pan.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes cook time this way or until as crispy as you’d like.
- no real need to transfer to paper towels like traditional bacon as there isn’t much fat to absorb
If you want to make it spicy, sprinkle black pepper or red pepper flakes over the slices when they are uncooked. We do that sometimes if we are making Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders with them chopped up later.
How to Make Turkey Bacon Crispy
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Placing a wire rack on top of the baking sheet allows the heat to circulate around the bacon, promoting even cooking and crispiness. Lay the slices in a single layer on the wire rack. Make sure the slices aren’t overlapping, as this can prevent them from crisping up evenly.
You will find several brands of turkey bacon out there, some stores have one of their own. I wouldn’t say one is much different or better than the other in this case.
Turkey Bacon in the Oven
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 package turkey bacon
- red pepper flakes, for spicy, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
- Crispy turkey bacon – if you want yours very crispy, set a wire rack on top of the sheet pan and spray lightly with non stick spray. Arrange slices on rack in a single layer. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until as crispy as you'd like.
- Tender turkey bacon – if you want to cook but keep pieces more tender, spray aluminum on pan lightly with non stick spray and lay pieces in a single layer on the pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes this way or until as crispy as you'd like.
- ** if you want to make it spicy, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the slices when they are uncooked
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
