Although cooking bacon in a toaster oven is different from how it’s traditionally made, it can also produce a crisp and flavorful result. It’s a simple and easy way to get perfectly cooked and crispy bacon without the hassle and mess of cooking it on the stovetop. 

Oven cooking is a popular method among home cooks and chefs because it allows the bacon to cook evenly with less fat splatter and less mess. 

This article will explore why cooking bacon in a toaster oven is a great option, how to do it, and some tips for getting the best results. Let’s dive in! 

Cooking Bacon in Toaster Oven

Compared to the conventional method, there are many advantages to cooking bacon in the oven. For starters, it’s less messy. Cooking bacon in a skillet can make oil splatter everywhere. This may leave a mess on your stovetop or even burn you. 

Using a conventional oven or toaster oven eliminates this problem. The bacon simmers on the oven-safe baking pan, and excess grease drips onto the pan. Cooking bacon in the toaster oven is easier when cooking many bacon slices simultaneously. 

When preparing meals for the week or cooking breakfast for many people, using a toaster oven to prepare your bacon is preferable. You can fit several slices of bacon on one sheet pan. They will all cook evenly and perfectly. 

You don’t need too much for toaster-cooked delicious bacon recipes. Instead, gather: 

• Bacon (as many slices as you want to cook. The best type is thick-cut bacon)
• Microwave-safe baking pan
• Aluminum foil or a sheet of parchment paper

How to Cook Bacon in Toaster Oven 

Now that you know the benefits of this bacon cooking method and the ingredients you need, it’s time to learn how to cook bacon in the toaster oven:

Preheat Toaster Oven

Preheating your toaster oven makes sure that your food cooks evenly, saves time, is more energy-efficient, and prevents food from sticking to the baking tray. To cook bacon in a toaster oven, preheat to 375°F. This temperature increases the level of crispiness of the bacon.

Prepare the Baking Sheets

Line the baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper to prevent bacon and bacon fat drips from sticking. This will leave less of a mess, making cleanup easier. Expert tip: make sure to use a deeper baking sheet with a rim so that bacon fat doesn’t leak off the sheet while cooking. 

Arrange the Strips of Bacon Flat on the Sheet

Without allowing an overlap, arrange the bacon slices flat on the sheet. If you cook many pieces of bacon, you can do it in batches to ensure they cook evenly. In other words, don’t overcrowd raw bacon when cooking. 

Cook the Bacon in the Toaster Oven

Place the baking sheet with the bacon in the preheated toaster oven and cook for 10-12 minutes on medium heat, depending on the level of crispness you prefer. Check on the bacon every few minutes to ensure it cooks evenly and doesn’t burn.

Move the Baked Bacon to Paper Towels 

When you get your level of crispness, remove the pieces of bacon from the toaster oven. Put them on a plate and use paper towels to remove the bacon drippings. 

Delicious Meals You Can Cook in a Toaster Oven 

Bacon is not the only food you can cook in a toaster oven. Other interesting dishes you can include: 

Pizza: Pizza is a common dish cooked in a toaster oven. You can use premade pizza crust, toppings, and some cheese. Put the pizza on a baking sheet and set the temperature to 425-450 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese melts and the crust is golden brown. 

Roasted Vegetables: You can get your daily veggies from roasted vegetables. Chop up vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or broccoli, prepare, and arrange them on a baking sheet. Adding an olive oil base and seasoning with salt and pepper will improve the taste of this dish. Bake it at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. 

Grilled Cheese: A grilled cheese sandwich is one of the easiest meals you can cook in a toaster oven. 

You need two slices of bread and some cheese for this recipe. Cook the combination in the toaster oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown. 

Baked Potatoes: Baked potatoes are a great pick as a side dish or hearty meal. They’re also easy to cook. Poke holes in a large potato and wrap it in aluminum foil. Then put it in the toaster oven and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 30-40 minutes, or until the potato becomes tender. 

Toast: If you’re craving some toast but don’t want to mess with your toaster, you can also use your toaster oven to cook it. Prepare your ingredients, and coat the slices of bread before spreading them on a baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown. 

Baked Fish: If you want a healthy and tasty meal for dinner, try baked fish. Season a filet of fish with your favorite spices and herbs. Then put it on a baking sheet in the oven and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked. 

Chicken Nuggets: You can also prepare chicken nuggets in a toaster oven. Put some frozen chicken nuggets on the baking sheet and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until the nuggets are cooked. 

French Fries: If you need a side to go with your chicken nuggets, try cooking French fries with your toaster oven. Start by cutting potatoes into thin strips, which you should place on a baking sheet. Add oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until the fries are golden brown and crispy.

Let’s Settle It Now: Is Toaster-Oven Cooked Bacon Sweeter than Fried Bacon? 

Bacon is one tasty breakfast treat, and you can cook it in many different ways. Cooking with a toaster oven is becoming popular, hence the debate about which tastes better. 

Let’s analyze the facts. Toaster-oven cooked bacon has many advantages over fried bacon. For one, it’s a healthier option because you need less fat to cook it. A toaster oven cooks meals more quickly and evenly than traditional frying methods. 

So, is it sweeter? 

The truth is there is no difference. The sugar in bacon does not change, despite how you cook it. They taste different because cooking with more fat can alter the dish’s taste, giving it varying flavors. 

Since fried bacon has a higher fat content, it may have a more savory flavor. On the other hand, cooking it toaster oven style gets you crisp bacon strips when done right.

Conclusion 

Cooking bacon in a toaster oven is a great way to enjoy these tasty pork pieces without compromising your health. It can also be a less messy way to prepare your breakfast side dish. Just do it right!