The Complete Guide to Cooking Crispy Bacon and Juicy Sausages in the Oven

As a busy mom who loves treating my family to hearty breakfasts, I’ve perfected the art of cooking bacon and sausages in the oven Not only does this method produce consistently crispy, delicious results, but it also frees up valuable stovetop space for pancakes, eggs, and more

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my tried-and-tested tips for baking bacon and sausages to perfection every time From choosing the right meats to proper prep and cook times, I’ve got you covered on how to make oven-cooked breakfast meats that will wow your family

Why Choose the Oven?

While pan-frying is the conventional cooking method, switching to the oven offers some major advantages:

• Cooks food more evenly: The hot air circulates all around the bacon and sausages, crisping and browning them perfectly on all sides.

• Yields less messy splatters: Baking contains the grease in the oven instead of popping all over your stovetop.

• Allows you to cook more at once The oven’s spacious interior lets you cook a big batch to feed a crowd.

• It’s hands-free: Simply place the pan in the oven, set a timer, and let it bake. No need to constantly watch and flip.

• Frees up stove space: With the oven doing the work, you can use your burners for eggs, pancakes, etc.

For consistently crispy, evenly cooked results with less mess, the oven is clearly the best choice for breakfast meats.

Step-By-Step Guide to Oven-Baked Bacon & Sausages

Follow these simple steps for foolproof oven-baked bacon and sausages every time.

Prep the Baking Sheet

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. The lining makes cleanup easy and helps the bacon cook evenly.
• For really crispy bacon, use a wire cooling rack set inside the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate underneath.

Arrange the Meat

• Lay raw bacon strips or sausages evenly in a single layer on the lined pan. Overcrowding will cause uneven cooking.
• For bacon, make sure the slices aren’t overlapping too much. Leave a bit of space between sausages as well.

Bake

• Preheat oven to 400°F. This high heat crisps up the meats nicely.
• For bacon, bake for 15-18 minutes. Thicker cuts take 18-22 minutes.
• With sausages, bake for 20-25 minutes until browned. Brats and smoked sausages take a little longer.

Flip

• Halfway through cooking, open the oven and use tongs to flip the bacon and sausages. This allows even browning.

Remove and Drain

• When done to your desired doneness, remove from oven and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.

And that’s all there is to it! With these simple steps, you’ll be enjoying tender, flavorful sausages and crispy bacon from your oven.

Handy Oven Bacon & Sausage Cook Times

To take the guesswork out of oven cook times, refer to my handy bacon and sausage cook time chart below for reference:

Bacon Cook Times

• Regular sliced bacon: 15-18 minutes
• Thick-cut bacon: 18-22 minutes
• Extra thick premium bacon: Up to 25 minutes

Sausage Oven Cook Times

• Breakfast sausage patties: 15-18 minutes
• Fresh sausage links: 20-22 minutes
• Smoked sausage links: 20-25 minutes
• Raw bratwurst: 22-28 minutes

These times are based on a 400°F oven temperature. Cook times can vary based on the accuracy of your oven and personal taste preferences.

I recommend investing in an inexpensive oven thermometer. This allows you to calibrate the temperature and adjust cook times accordingly.

It’s also a good idea to use a meat thermometer, especially when getting started. Target an internal temperature of 145°F for bacon and 160°F for sausage.

Cooking Bacon and Sausages Together

Want to cook bacon and sausages simultaneously to save time? Here are some tips:

• Use two separate pans or divide one pan into sections for bacon and sausage. This prevents flavor transfer.

• Since they require different cook times, put the sausages in first, then add bacon 10 minutes later.

• Or, par-cook the bacon for 10 minutes first until partially done. Then add the sausages to the pan and continue cooking 10-15 more minutes.

• For even cooking, aim for a slightly lower oven temp, around 375°F.

With some simple adjustments, you can easily bake tasty bacon and sausages in tandem.

Flavor Boosts for Oven-Baked Meats

The oven’s dry heat locks in the natural flavor of bacon and sausages. However, you can also add extra flavor with spices, herbs, sugars, and more:

Bacon

• Brown sugar or maple syrup – for sweetness
• Fresh cracked black pepper – for heat
• Cayenne or paprika – for smokiness
• Rosemary, sage, or thyme – for herbaceous notes

Sausage

• Fennel seeds or garlic powder – for savory depth
• Smoked paprika – for intense smokiness
• Fresh basil, oregano or parsley – for bright herby flavors
• Maple syrup or brown sugar – for balanced sweetness
• Crushed red pepper flakes – for mild heat

Get creative with seasonings to make your oven-cooked meats shine!

Oven Bacon and Sausage FAQs

Still have some questions about baking these breakfast staples? Here are answers to some of the most common queries:

Should I preheat the oven first?

Yes, preheating is crucial to achieve evenly cooked, crispy results. Always preheat to at least 400°F before baking.

Do I need to flip the meat midway through cooking?

Flipping halfway through helps bacon and sausage cook evenly on both sides. However, skipping the flip shouldn’t hugely impact the end result.

Can I reuse foil lined baking sheets?

For the best results, use fresh foil or parchment paper each time. Reusing foil with bacon grease leads to stickier results.

Should I let it rest before eating?

Letting bacon and sausages rest 1-2 minutes after baking prevents dryness and ensures the hot interior steam distributes evenly.

Can I cook meats straight on the baking sheet?

For easy cleanup, lining the pan is recommended. However, you can also place meats directly onto a nonstick baking sheet.

How do I know when it’s finished baking?

Look for the bacon to turn golden brown and become crispy. Sausages should be browned on the outside and register 160°F internally.

Have another question about oven-baked breakfast meats? Ask in the comments below!

Tips for Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Leftover baked bacon and sausages keep well for 4-5 days stored properly. Here are some storage and reheating pointers:

• Allow to cool completely before storing leftovers in an airtight container.

• For maximum freshness, store meats layered between sheets of parchment or wax paper.

• Refrigerate promptly; don’t leave at room temperature over 2 hours.

• Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium-low, or in the microwave in 30 second bursts.

• Add a splash of water to the reheating skillet to rehydrate.

• Microwave single slices between paper towels for crispiest results.

With proper storage, you can enjoy oven-baked bacon and sausages all week long!

Delicious Ways to Use Oven-Cooked Meats

Beyond eating oven-cooked bacon and sausages straight, here are some delicious ways to creatively use them:

• Stuff into omelets and frittatas along with veggies and cheese.

• Top baked potatoes or sweet potatoes for a savory twist.

• Incorporate into fried rice, pasta, or grain bowls for added protein.

• Make BLTs with oven-baked bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on toast.

• Chop up and sprinkle over soups, salads, and pizza.

• Wrap sausages and bacon around appetizer-style jalapeno, pineapple, or water chestnut pieces.

• Crumble crispy bacon over baked beans, mac and cheese or other creamy dishes.

• Use crumbled sausage as a flavor boost for savory bread stuffing.

The possibilities are endless! Try getting innovative to take your oven-cooked meats to the next level.

Troubleshooting Common Oven Bacon and Sausage Issues

Even with the best technique, you may occasionally run into problems. Here’s how to troubleshoot some common baking issues