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Ingredients
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Bacon
Method
Bacon
- 1
Preheat and prepare
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. If you have a wire rack that fits inside the sheet, place it on top of the foil and spray or lightly oil the rack; the rack helps the bacon cook evenly and get crisp. If you don't have a rack, you can place the bacon directly on the foil or on parchment.
- 2
Arrange bacon
Lay the 4 thick-cut bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack (or directly on the lined baking sheet) with a little space between each slice so hot air can circulate. Do not overlap.
- 3
Begin baking
Place the baking sheet on the middle oven rack. Bake for 12 minutes, watching for even browning. Thick-cut bacon typically needs 15–22 minutes total depending on thickness and desired crispness; this step gets the bacon mostly rendered and starting to brown.
- 4
Glaze and season
Carefully remove the sheet from the oven. Using a brush or spoon, lightly brush each bacon slice with 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, distributing it evenly (this will caramelize quickly). Sprinkle the maple-glazed slices with 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, dividing it across the 4 slices. Return the sheet to the oven.
- 5
Finish baking
Bake for an additional 3–6 minutes, checking frequently so the glaze caramelizes but doesn't burn. Remove when the bacon reaches your preferred crispness (total bake time ~15–18 minutes for thick-cut).
- 6
Drain and garnish
Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat and allow it to crisp for 1–2 minutes. If using, sprinkle the chopped parsley (1 tablespoon) over the bacon for a fresh contrast. Serve immediately.
