Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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Yes, you can cook bacon in the microwave! It's actually one of the easiest ways to cook it.

As long as you follow a few simple instructions, your bacon will come out wonderfully crispy and evenly cooked. And you don't need a special cooker!

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

This bacon is absolutely amazing. I resisted the idea for a long time, thinking that it can't possibly be as good as pan-fried or oven bacon.

Happily, I was wrong! Using the microwave to cook bacon is just as good as using the oven or a frypan. The bacon cooks evenly and comes out perfectly crispy. And it's a fast method - faster and easier than any other method.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert tip
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variations
  • Serving suggestions
  • Storing leftovers
  • Related recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card

Ingredients

You'll only need one ingredient for this recipe: a package of bacon. My instructions work with medium-thickness slices. If you use thin or thick slices, you'll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Instructions

This method for cooking bacon is so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions and to watch the video. Here's an overview of the steps:

Your first step is to place the bacon slices on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Make sure the slices don't touch each other.

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Next, cover the strips with more paper towels. This is really important - it will prevent splatters.

Then, simply microwave on high until crispy. In my microwave, this takes 4 minutes.

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)

Be careful when removing the plate from the microwave! It will be very hot. Use the edges of the paper towels to hold it, or use oven mitts.

And be sure to remove the slices from the paper towels fairly quickly, or they tend to stick to the paper towels.

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (4)

Expert tip

As you know, microwave ovens greatly vary. So it's a good idea to check after 3 minutes and see if the bacon is done. You can always add another minute if needed.

Frequently asked questions

What if I like my bacon chewy?

No problem! My daughter prefers hers chewy, so when I make it for her, I simply cook it for a shorter time.

I suggest you start with two minutes for four slices, check the bacon, and add one more minute if needed.

Why do people microwave bacon?

It's the fastest way to cook it - faster than pan-frying or baking. It saves you the trouble of cleaning a skillet or a baking sheet. And if you like your bacon crispy, it's also a reliable way to achieve that.

Why do you use paper towels?

The paper towels are a must. The bottom layer soaks up quite a bit of the rendered fat which helps ensure the bacon turns out crispy. The top layer is also essential, as it prevents splatters.

There's a drawback, of course. Unlike pan-frying or baking, this method doesn't produce tasty bacon grease that can be later used in cooking.

Do I need a special cooker?

No. There are special microwave cookers on the market, but they are unnecessary.

The paper towels achieve the same goal as those special cookers - draining the rendered fat and preventing splatters.

Variations

The best way to vary this recipe is to season the bacon slices before cooking them. You can sprinkle them, for example, with a bit of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika.

But I usually don't bother. Bacon is so inherently flavorful that I don't feel it needs any help. And if you use spices, there's always the risk that they'll burn.

Serving suggestions

You can use this bacon as you would use any other bacon you cook! It's an obvious breakfast choice, perhaps with microwave scrambled eggs.

It's also excellent in lettuce wrap sandwiches. And it makes a great topping for burgers.

Storing leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Reheat them gently, covered in a paper towel, in the microwave.

Or enjoy the leftovers cold! Cold cooked bacon is surprisingly delicious.

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (5)
  • Beef Bacon
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Recipe Card

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (10)

4.98 from 511 votes

Pin Recipe Print Recipe

Crispy Microwave Bacon

Microwaving bacon is the easiest and fastest way to cook it. It comes out wonderfully crispy and evenly cooked.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time4 minutes mins

Total Time9 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 54kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

  • 8 oz bacon (1 package, 8 medium-thick slices)

Instructions

  • Place two paper towels on a microwave-safe dinner plate.

  • Arrange four slices of bacon on the paper towels, not touching each other.

  • Place two more paper towels on top of the bacon slices.

  • Microwave on high until crispy. In my microwave, this takes 4 minutes.

  • Remove the plate carefully from the microwave. It will be very hot.

  • Repeat with the four remaining slices.

Video

Notes

Microwave ovens greatly vary, so check on the bacon after 3 minutes. You can always add 1 more minute if needed.

If you use thin or extra-thick bacon, you'll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Be careful when removing the plate from the microwave! It will be very hot. Use the edges of the paper towels to hold it, or use oven mitts.

And be sure to remove the slices from the paper towels fairly quickly, or they tend to stick to the paper towels.

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Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 2slices | Calories: 54kcal | Protein: 4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 231mg

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

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More Keto Breakfast Recipes

  • Chaffles Recipe
  • Breakfast Egg Muffins
  • Mushroom Frittata
  • Turkey Hash

About the Author

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (21) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

  1. Nikki Krakauer

    Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (22)
    I weave my bacon since I usually only use it in sandwiches. I cut the package in half vertically to fit a slice of bread. Then, I use six half slices, weave them, and cook. I do the whole package in the microwave, one weave at a time. If storing, I place a weave on parchment paper, put another on top, then put them into a Ziploc gallon bag, flat. Store in the fridge or freezer. The package is thin enough to slide on top of other frozen foods.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      Sounds great, Nikki!

      Reply

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog? ›

Microwave the bacon on high until crispy. In my microwave (1000 watts), it takes four minutes for four slices of bacon. Be careful when removing the plate from the microwave! It will be very hot.

Is cooking bacon in the microwave healthier? ›

The advantage of cooking bacon in a microwave oven versus other cooking methods is significant. Couple that with Bacon Pro's design, where the grease drips away, and you'll be serving bacon that contains 30% less fat.

Can you crisp bacon in the microwave? ›

Bacon cooked in the microwave will be a little bit chewier, but it will also be crispy! Start with cooking the bacon for 4 minutes and cook for an additional minute at a time until it's as crispy as you like. But remember, the bacon will get crispier as it cools.

Is crispy bacon healthier than chewy bacon? ›

The healthiest way to cook bacon is to cook it until crispy (but not burned), which allows the most fat to melt off.

What is the healthiest way to cook bacon? ›

Place strips of bacon on a baking rack and roast at 400-degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until cooked through. It will be the perfect combination of crispy, tender and chewy. Serve with eggs, pancakes or French toast. Fry chopped pieces of bacon until the little morsels are crisp and caramelized.

Why do Americans microwave bacon? ›

Cooking your bacon in the microwave is quicker, easier, cleaner, and more hands-off than any other method.

How to make crispy in the microwave? ›

Use a Microwave Crisper

Crisper sheets are specially designed trays that can be used to give your food a nice, crispy texture. Placing the sheet on top of your food will help keep moisture out and allow heat to reach all sides evenly, resulting in an evenly cooked and delicious meal.

Can you eat microwave bacon without cooking it? ›

It's unsafe to eat this popular breakfast item raw due to an increased risk of food poisoning. Instead, you should cook bacon thoroughly — but be careful not to overcook it, as doing so can increase the formation of carcinogens.

Is microwavable bacon already cooked? ›

Thick cut slices, that won't break apart, are fully cooked and ready to eat. Skip the prep, skip the cleanup and enjoy the flavor!

What is the secret to crispy bacon? ›

Bacon-Cooking Method: Baking on Parchment Paper

About This Method: Martha Stewart's technique promises a “spatter-free” way to get “perfectly crispy bacon.” You simply line one or two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, arrange the bacon on top, and bake at 400°F until it is crisped to your liking.

How do you make the best crispy bacon? ›

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Lightly oil a non-stick tray then lay the bacon over (streaky or back) in a single layer. Bake for 10-15 mins, using tongs to flip the bacon halfway, until cooked and the fat is crisp around the edges.

How do Americans get their bacon crispy? ›

Tried and true, this is the way I learned to cook bacon: Lay the strips in a cold skillet, place over medium-low to medium heat, flip and fry until you reach your desired doneness and then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

What is the healthiest option for bacon? ›

10 Healthy Alternatives to Bacon
  • Turkey bacon. This alternative offers a similar smoky flavor and can be cooked to a crispy texture like traditional bacon. ...
  • Tempeh bacon. ...
  • Mushroom bacon. ...
  • Eggplant bacon. ...
  • Coconut bacon. ...
  • Carrot bacon. ...
  • Seitan bacon. ...
  • Chickpea bacon bits.

How many times a week should you eat bacon? ›

In light of the more recent evidence, it's best to reduce your intake of all processed meats to once every couple of weeks. Therefore, keeping your bacon intake to a minimum is recommended – eating it every couple of weeks is best. Read more: How much red meat is safe to eat?

What is the most unhealthy bacon? ›

Hormel's ​​Black Label Brown Sugar Thick Cut Bacon has an absurd amount of sodium: 470 mg in just two slices. The American Heart Association recommends that an adult consume no more than 2,300 mg of sodium in an entire day. Again, we understand that bacon is not meant to be a health food, but sheesh!

Is microwave bacon ok to eat? ›

Yes, you can cook bacon in the microwave! It's actually one of the easiest ways to cook it. As long as you follow a few simple instructions, your bacon will come out wonderfully crispy and evenly cooked. And you don't need a special cooker!

How many calories are in 2 slices of microwaved bacon? ›

2 cooked slices of microwave ready, bacon (Hormel) contains 70 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 0% carbs, 77% fat, and 23% protein. This has a relatively high calorie density, with 467 Calories per 100g.

Does cooking bacon in the oven make it healthier? ›

Cooked on a rack

If you have an ovenproof rack then this can be used to cook bacon evenly in the oven and allows the fat to drip off making it a slightly healthier method. Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.

Is cooked bacon unhealthy? ›

It's unsafe to eat this popular breakfast item raw due to an increased risk of food poisoning. Instead, you should cook bacon thoroughly — but be careful not to overcook it, as doing so can increase the formation of carcinogens. It's healthiest to limit your consumption of bacon and other processed meats.

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