After conducting an experiment where we tried eight different methods of cooking bacon, we’ve found a winner that stands out as the absolute best way to achieve perfect bacon every time. The methods we tested included pan-frying, oven baking, microwaving, grilling, air frying, boiling, sous vide, and deep frying.

Method 1: Pan-Frying

This classic method involves cooking bacon in a skillet over medium heat. We flipped the slices occasionally. The result was evenly cooked strips with a good balance of crispiness and chewiness.

Method 2: Oven Baking

Baking bacon in an oven set at 400°F on a lined baking sheet provided hands-free cooking and easy cleanup. The bacon emerged evenly cooked with less shrinkage than pan-frying.

Method 3: Microwaving

Using microwave-safe cookware, the bacon was layered between paper towels. It was convenient but lacked the texture and flavor of traditionally cooked bacon.

Method 4: Grilling

Grilling gave the bacon a unique smoky flavor, perfect for summertime barbecues. However, flare-ups were an issue, requiring vigilant attention.

Method 5: Air Frying

The air fryer cooked bacon quickly without the grease splatter. We achieved crispy strips but missed some depth in flavor compared to pan-frying.

Method 6: Boiling

Boiled bacon was less common and resulted in a softer texture. It’s not ideal for those who enjoy crispy bacon but worked well for recipes where softer bacon is preferred.

Method 7: Sous Vide

The sous vide method involved slow cooking the bacon in a temperature-controlled water bath. It produced tender slices with concentrated flavor but lacked crispiness unless finished in a pan.

Method 8: Deep Frying

Deep frying bacon resulted in ultra-crispy and golden strips but was messier and greasier than other methods.

The Winner: Oven Baking

After comparison, oven baking proved to be the best method for cooking bacon. It delivered consistent results with maximum convenience and minimal mess while keeping slices flat and intact. The oven-baked bacon had the ideal combination of crispness, flavor retention, and ease of preparation that made it our top choice among the eight methods tested.