Uncover the perfect crispy bacon with this simple oven trick
Bacon has long been a significant ingredient in many cuisines. The challenge, however, is achieving the desired crispy form. Fortunately, there is a straightforward way to get it...
4:57 PM EDT, June 17, 2024
Bacon is a breakfast favorite, an addition to scrambled eggs, and works wonderfully on sandwiches, casseroles, pizzas, and omelets. It can also enhance the taste of various salads, soups, fillings, and pasta dishes (as it is an essential ingredient in spaghetti carbonara).
Many enthusiasts love juicy and crispy bacon. However, achieving this perfect balance during thermal processing on a frying pan can be tricky. There is, however, a straightforward and effective method.
Bacon – nutritional value
While this delicacy hardly excites dietitians, and the World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes it as carcinogenic, it still holds nutritional value. According to scientific research, frequent consumption of such products, especially fried, increases the risk of cancer, particularly of the colon.
Bacon should be consumed in moderation because it provides a substantial dose of saturated fatty acids, blamed for raising "bad" LDL cholesterol. This cholesterol accumulates in the cells of arterial walls, leading to coronary artery narrowing and, consequently, to stroke or heart attack.
However, bacon also has many nutritional benefits – it provides a large portion of complete proteins that regulate the functioning of the central nervous system and affect our emotional state, mood, memory, and concentration.
This pork product also contains plenty of B vitamins, such as B1, known as the "happy vitamin," because it improves mood and increases stress resistance. Bacon provides a significant amount of iron, a crucial participant in the hemoglobin production process, which enables oxygen transport to the cells.
It's also important to remember that all fats (including saturated fats) provide the body with a concentrated form of energy and play an invaluable role in transporting fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.
How to make bacon crispy
If we want to ensure the bacon is pleasantly crispy, we should forgo traditional frying in a pan and use an oven, a simple trick employed by the best chefs.
Cut the bacon into not-too-thick slices, preferably similar in size, and lay them out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure the slices do not overlap.
Bake the bacon at 375-400°F, depending on the thickness of the slices, for 15-18 minutes. Flip them halfway through. Also, check the oven periodically to avoid burning the bacon, which would ruin the whole endeavor.
