There are a lot of different methods out there for cooking bacon—you can bake it, broil it, pan-fry it, microwave it, griddle it, and waffle-iron it. (For more on all of those methods, check out my post at the link below!) For every way you can cook bacon, there’s a group of people out there who think that’s the only “true” way to make it.
Related: 14 Surprising & Easy Ways To Cook Perfect Bacon!
While bacon is beloved by many, there is very little consensus on the best way to cook it, which is why I’m going into today’s post knowing full well that it could prove controversial for some. That’s because today I’ll be sharing two different ways to cook up crispy bacon, both of which involve your microwave. (Gasp!)
But before you grab your torch and pitchfork, I’d ask you to keep an open mind, at least until you finish learning about these two methods for making deliciously crispy bacon, as well as the “pros” and “cons” of each method. You know what they say—”don’t knock it til you try it!” :-)
2 Easy Ways To Make Perfectly Crispy Bacon
Method #1: Microwaved Bacon
Prepare a microwave-safe plate with 4 sheets of paper towel. Place 2-5 pieces of bacon* on top of the paper towels in a single layer, then cover them with 2 more sheets of paper towel. Place the plate in your microwave, cook for 1 minute per slice of bacon on the plate, and voila, you’ll have delicious strips of crispy bacon in no time!
*Note: This is not a good method to use for thick-cut bacon. It won’t get cooked all the way through and you’ll end up with a greasy mess. I like the Smithfield brand of bacon at Walmart for this, because the slices aren’t too thick or too thin. Just my two cents!
Pros:
- No mess! The paper towels absorb all the grease, and you can just toss them out afterwards.
- Less bacon smell! (This could be considered a positive or negative thing, depending on how much you enjoy the smell of cooking bacon.) ;-)
- Good for small amounts! This method is perfect for cooking up a couple of slices of bacon to eat with breakfast, or to make homemade bacon bits for a salad.
Cons:
- More waste. You have to use 6 sheets of paper towels for this method, which is quite a bit to just toss out.
- No bacon grease. Because the grease gets absorbed into the paper towels, you can’t keep it to use for other things.
- Very crispy. This could be considered a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your tastes. I like my bacon crispy, so it’s perfect for me, but if you like it a little chewy, this may not be your favorite method.
Method #2: Prince Harry’s Bacon
For this method, you’ll start by cooking your bacon until it’s just shy of done. You can do this in a pan or under the broiler in your oven. I prefer the broiler method—just place a cooling rack onto a baking sheet, then spread a few strips of bacon out on the rack. Place it under the broiler for about 5 minutes on one side, then flip the bacon over and cook it for another 3 minutes or so.
The next step is to finish off your bacon in the microwave. Wrap the pieces of bacon in a paper towel and cook in your microwave for 1 minute. The microwave gives the bacon a crispy finish that is hard to achieve otherwise!
(Why is it called Prince Harry’s Bacon? I’m glad you asked! The story goes that a precocious 8-year-old Prince Harry learned about this method for cooking bacon during a trip to Disney World. Apparently he liked the bacon so much, that he requested it specifically from the royal chef from then on! So if you like crispy bacon that is also approved by royalty, then this method is for you.) ;-)
Pros:
- Crispy bacon. The bacon comes out crispy without being brittle.
- Leftover bacon grease. Because you cook the bacon before microwaving it, you’ll have bacon grease in your pan or baking sheet that you can save to use later.
Cons:
- Still some waste. You still have to use a few paper towels that you’ll end up tossing out.
- Some cleanup required. Using a pan or baking sheet to pre-cook the bacon will leave you with some dishes to tackle after breakfast.
So there you have it, two unusual yet reliable methods for making crispy bacon. Give them a try!
What’s your preferred method of cooking bacon?