How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave

If you wonder how to make Bacon in the Microwave, this recipe tutorial is for you! Cooking bacon in the microwave is efficient and almost eliminates the mess bacon can create. You are sure to love this quick and easy bacon tutorial!

How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave

My family loves bacon! Usually, I make a whole pack or multiple packs of bacon in the oven or on the stove, which always leaves a huge mess. Cooking it on the stove causes grease to splatter everywhere and a pan to wash later, while the oven can leave a pan of grease to drain if I don’t use parchment paper.

Since many of my Keto/low carb recipes require just a few pieces of bacon, I decided to make an easy bacon recipe in the microwave quickly. It worked like a charm! It came out perfectly crispy and delicious! You can make just a few pieces in minutes with perfect results every time!

This recipe is so easy you don’t need to buy any microwave bacon cookers or bacon racks. All you need is slices of bacon, a plate, and some paper towels!

Keto Recipes with Bacon:

• Bacon on a Cheesy Keto Brussel Sprouts & Bacon
• Keto Broccoli Bacon Salad
• Keto Creamy Chicken with Bacon & Cheese 

What You’ll Need:

• Bacon — You can use any variety of bacon you would like! Applewood smoked, cracked black-pepper bacon, or even turkey bacon!
• Microwave-safe dish — A microwavable bacon tray is fabulous, but if you don’t have one make sure your plate is microwave-safe before popping it in the microwave. The last thing you want is a disaster on your hands. If you don’t have a plate that will work, a glass Pyrex dish will do the job! I do not recommend using plastic plates as they are not safe to use in the microwave.
• Paper towels — These are essential for cooking bacon in the microwave. Not only do they soak up the excess grease from the bacon, but the paper towels on top help prevent bacon grease from splattering all over the microwave.

How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave:

Step 1: A microwave bacon tray is my first choice. A microwave-safe plate or glass pyrex dish works great if you don’t have one. Line your dish with a single layer of paper towels.

Tip: Don’t use a paper plate because it could melt and create a huge mess.

Step 2: Place the bacon slices on the paper towels, careful not to overlap or push the edges together. If your dish is big enough, you can cook up to 8 pieces at a time. If you want to cook more, I would recommend working in batches.

Step 3: Cover the bacon with two more paper towels. This will make the cleanup more manageable and help prevent the grease splattering and popping all over your microwave. It also ensures that the bacon gets cooked perfectly. Next, microwave the bacon.

Tip: Cook time can vary depending on the wattage of your microwave.

Step 4: Take out just a tad before it’s done because it will continue to sizzle and cook a bit outside the microwave, just like bacon made on the stovetop. Transfer to a plate to cool so the bacon doesn’t stick to the paper towels. Throw away the paper towels for an easy clean-up. Enjoy!

Tip: If you prefer chewy bacon over crispy bacon, I recommend decreasing the cooking time a bit so that it does not get all the way done and crispy.

One thing to note about bacon made in the microwave is that it is drier and crispier than bacon made on the stove or in the oven, as the paper towels sop up most of the bacon fat and grease

Can You Make Bacon in the Microwave without Paper Towels?

Yes, you absolutely can! However, it will take more effort to keep the microwave clean. I would recommend covering the plate with an upside-down bowl set slightly to the side to allow air to escape, or if you are using a container, use the lid set to the side. This should help protect your microwave from getting grease all over it.

There will be nothing to soak up the bacon grease without the paper towels, so the bacon may end up a little greasy. It will be delicious either way!

Can You Make Bacon in the Air Fryer?

Yes, you can. Making bacon in the air fryer is also simple, but you will need to clean the air fryer and basket afterward. Place the raw bacon in the air fryer basket lined with aluminum foil at 350F. Cook for about 7-10 minutes, flipping about halfway through. Remove the bacon and place it on paper towels to drain the excess grease.

How to Store Leftover Bacon?

Storing bacon is simple. Place it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also place it in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Bacon Cooked in the Microwave?

You can reheat it again for a few seconds until it is hot and sizzling in the microwave. For maximum crispiness, place it in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes until crispy again!

Is Microwaved Bacon Healthier for you?

Bacon is a delicious high-calorie fatty meat. Cooking it in the microwave helps reduce the number of calories and fat in the bacon because of the grease being sopped up. While cooking bacon in the microwave is not necessarily healthier than pan-frying it, you may be able to eat a little more since the calories are reduced.

More Keto Breakfast Recipes:

• Keto Crustless Quiche with Bacon & Cheese
• The Very Best Keto Waffles
• Fathead Keto Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
• Keto Egg Cups with Bacon & Cheese