Baking bacon is a handy trick that I picked up a few years ago and quickly fell in love with the idea.

So, why bake your bacon?

Baking your bacon will save you the usual mess in the kitchen (or your microwave.) Plus, it cooks evenly and crisps up nicely while a vast majority of the grease is discarded! Another bonus? You can make a rather large batch of baked bacon rather effortlessly as compared to pan frying. Baking your bacon also tends to keep it from curling up, leaving your bacon straight and perfect!

First of all, you'll want to get your hands on some bacon.

I prefer center cut low sodium bacon or sometimes turkey bacon - it really just depends on my mood and the recipe it's being used in. I honestly favor center cut low sodium over turkey if I'm looking for a more authentic bacon. Turkey bacon is a little different. Not bad. Just different.

Center cut low sodium bacon can be tricky to find. My local store carries it readily, but I've also found it in specialty stores such as Whole Foods Market. I've been seeing this particular kind of bacon around a lot more in the recent weeks as it's quickly becoming a more popular style of bacon.

While baking your bacon is a healthier way to cook it, you'll still want to be mindful of how much bacon you eat! I know... easier said than done.

Here's a few healthy recipe ideas to use your baked bacon in! BLT Lettuce Wraps, Skinny Breakfast Burritos, or Skinny Spinach Bacon Alfredo Spaghetti Squash Boats!

Baking Bacon
TheSkinnyFork.com

The Skinny:
Servings: 7 • Size: 2 Slices • Calories: 90 • Fat: 7 g • Carb: 0 g • Fiber: 0 g • Protein: 5 g • Sugar: 0 g • Sodium: 180 mg

Ingredients:
1 Package Center Cut Low Sodium Bacon (14 Slices)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. and line a baking sheet with foil. Place a baking rack over the foil and give the rack a light coat of non-stick cooking spray.

Line the bacon on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, trying not to let the slices touch.

No big deal if they do, but sometimes the slices will stick together after being baked!

Place the sheet into the oven and bake for 15-25 minutes or until the bacon is cooked to your liking.

I like my bacon crispy and nearly burned.

Once done, carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.

The bacon should be easily removable from the rack, leaving all the yucky grease below on the foil lined baking sheet.

This makes for an easy clean up too!

Serve or use as desired. Enjoy!