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!

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This bacon is absolutely amazing. I resisted the idea for a long time, thinking it couldn'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.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Expert Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storing Leftovers
  • More Bacon Recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Reviews

Ingredients

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This recipe requires only one ingredient: a package of bacon. My instructions work best with medium-thickness, medium-width slices.

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 extra help. And if you use spices, there's always the risk that they'll burn.

Instructions

Cooking bacon in the microwave is so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. 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 overlap.

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

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Microwave the bacon on high until crispy. In my microwave (1000 watts), it takes four minutes for four slices of bacon.

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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.

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Be sure to quickly remove the bacon slices from the paper towels, as they tend to stick to them.

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Expert Tip

Start checking the bacon after three minutes. Bacon types (thickness, wideness, and fat content) vary greatly, and so do microwave ovens.You can always add another minute if needed.

For example, when I used narrow bacon slices, the bacon shrunk quickly in the microwave. This is what it looked like after just three minutes (for four slices)! It was very crispy. It would likely have burned if I had microwaved it for the entire four minutes.

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Recipe FAQs

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. But please ensure the bacon is fully cooked.

These slices were wide, so I microwaved them three at a time. They were soft and chewy after two minutes (top image) and crispy after three minutes (bottom image):

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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.

Of course, there's a drawback. Unlike pan-frying or baking, this method doesn't produce delicious bacon grease that can be later used in cooking. In addition, because the paper towels soak up the fat, microwave bacon is dryer than baked or pan-fried.

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.

Serving Suggestions

You can use this bacon like any other bacon! It's an obvious breakfast choice, and I often make life super easy by serving it with microwave scrambled eggs, as shown in the photo below.

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Microwave bacon is also excellent in lettuce wrap sandwiches. It makes a great burger topping - check out this bacon burger recipe. And you can chop it and add it to salads like this arugula salad, as shown in the image below:

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Storing Leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to four days. I store them in a resealable food storage bag, as shown in the photo below.

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Reheat the leftovers gently, covered in a paper towel, in the microwave. Or enjoy them cold! Cooked bacon is surprisingly delicious when served cold.

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More Bacon Recipes

  • Beef Bacon
  • Duck Bacon
  • Bacon Chips

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Recipe Card

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (18)

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 ounces bacon (1 package, 8 medium-thickness slices)

Instructions

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

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

    Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (20)

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

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  • Microwave the bacon on high until crispy. In my microwave (1000 watts), it takes 4 minutes.However, it's a good idea to check after three minutes.

    Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (22)

  • Remove the plate carefully from the microwave. It will be very hot. Use the edges of the paper towels to hold it, or use oven mitts. Remove the bacon slices from the paper towels quickly, or they will stick to them.

    Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (23)

  • Repeat with the four remaining slices.Serve immediately.

    Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (24)

Video

Notes

  • Start checking the bacon after three minutes. Bacon types (thickness, wideness, and fat content) vary greatly, and so do microwave ovens. You can always add another minute if needed. For example, when I used narrow bacon slices, the bacon shrunk quickly in the microwave. It was very crispy after just three minutes. It would likely have burned if I had microwaved it for the entire four minutes.
  • If you like your bacon chewy, I suggest you start with two minutes for four slices, check the bacon, and add one more minute if needed. But please ensure the bacon is fully cooked.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to four days. I store them in a resealable food storage bag. Reheat the leftovers gently, covered in a paper towel, in the microwave. Or enjoy them cold! Cooked bacon is surprisingly delicious when served cold.

Nutrition per Serving

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

Made this Recipe?

If you made this recipe, please leave a comment sharing your experience with others. Thank you so much!

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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.

About the Author

Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (25) 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

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. Nikki Krakauer

    Crispy Microwave Bacon - Healthy Recipes Blog (26)
    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

Does microwaving bacon make it healthier? ›

The total fat in pan-fried bacon is 3.18 grams. Microwaving bacon between paper towels allows for fat absorption during the cooking process, which may account for the lower fat content of this cooking method.

Is crispy bacon healthier than regular 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 fry bacon? ›

Dry frying is a healthier method of frying where only the melted fat from the meat is used. Place streaky or back rashers in a cold non-stick frying pan and cook over a low heat to start with, once some fat starts to run out, increase the heat and cook for 1–2 minutes on each side.

Is microwaving bacon better than frying? ›

While bacon certainly isn't a lean meat, it does include many trace metals. And a study by Barbara Miller of the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Ark., concludes that preparing bacon in a microwave oven instead of a skillet can avoid producing cancer-causing substances called nitrosamines.

Why do Americans microwave bacon? ›

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

Why is microwaved bacon so good? ›

On the “pro” side of this technique, you get easy clean-up, zero splattering, and safer handling of the hot bacon grease. I also noticed that the bacon aroma was much less strong and didn't seem to linger quite as long in the kitchen.

Is bacon healthier fried or baked? ›

Simple! Healthier than Fried. The grease from the bacon drips off and is collected below the rack, which means it stays off your bacon and out of your body. I also pat the bacon to remove some extra grease and keep it crisp.

Is crispy bacon cancerous? ›

How you cook meat like bacon and how crispy you make it does not affect your cancer risk. But bacon itself is processed meat. And eating processed meat, no matter how it's cooked, increases the risk of bowel cancer. So it's a good idea to cut down on how much processed meat you eat.

Is there such a thing as healthy bacon? ›

Uncured bacon (bacon that hasn't been cured with synthetically sourced nitrates) claims to be healthier than regular bacon, as the nitrates come from vegetables.

What is the healthiest bacon to eat? ›

Turkey bacon is likely healthier for you than conventional bacon since it's not red meat. Turkey bacon, however, is still processed meat. Stick to small portions, pair it with nutrient-rich foods, and choose nitrate-free versions if you enjoy turkey bacon and want to keep eating it. U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Is bacon once a week bad for you? ›

Bacon has lots of sodium, cholesterol, and fat, all of which can increase your risk of heart disease. But bacon does have other nutrients, like protein, vitamins, and minerals. Just keep in mind that if you eat bacon, it's best to do so occasionally and in small amounts.

How many times a week should you eat bacon? ›

“For general good health, I would recommend keeping processed meats limited to once a week or once every other week. At that rate, a serving could be three to four slices. If you eat bacon more often than that, one to two slices should be a serving,” says Derocha.

How to make crispy bacon without oven? ›

How to cook bacon in a frying pan. Put 1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil in a frying pan and heat over a medium-high heat until hot. Add the bacon and cook for 2-4 mins on each side, depending on how crispy you like it.

How do you crisp already cooked bacon? ›

Turn a burner on to medium-high heat and allow a frying pan to heat up. Once the pan is hot, place a single layer of bacon on it. After a few minutes, your bacon will be crispy and ready to eat.

How do you use a bacon crisper in the microwave? ›

Simply lay your strips of bacon – it holds up to six – on top of the naturally non-stick ribbed base, put the clear lid on to prevent those pesky splatters, then put the Bacon Crisper in your microwave for around 5 minutes.

Do you need to flip bacon in the microwave? ›

You do not need to flip bacon halfway through cooking in the microwave. Unlike cooking on a stovetop, the microwave cooks the bacon evenly on both sides without the need to flip it.

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