Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C). This temperature is ideal for ensuring your bacon cooks evenly and gets that lovely crispy texture. While you’re waiting, you can take a moment to set up your cooking area.

Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will help with easy cleanup and prevent the bacon from sticking. If you prefer, you can also place a wire rack on the baking sheet for additional crispiness, allowing the grease to drip down.

Arrange the Bacon
Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the baking sheet. Make sure they don’t overlap, as this will lead to uneven cooking. If you like, you can season with a sprinkle of black pepper for added flavor.

Bake the Bacon
Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, checking around the 15-minute mark. The cooking time may vary based on the thickness of your bacon – thicker cuts will take longer, whereas thinner cuts will cook more quickly.

Glaze (Optional)
If you want to add a sweet touch to your bacon, drizzle some maple syrup over the strips in the last 5 minutes of baking. This gives the bacon a delightful sweet and savory flavor that pairs perfectly with breakfast staples.

Remove and Drain
Once the bacon has reached your desired crispiness, remove it from the oven. Transfer the strips to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. This step helps enhance the crunchiness we’re all after!

Serve and Enjoy
Serve your bacon hot! Whether it’s on a brunch platter, in a breakfast sandwich, or crumbled over a salad, this bacon will steal the show.