How To Microwave Bacon

Learn how to cook bacon in the microwave — that actually gets CRISPY! Use this foolproof method and tips for crispy microwave bacon that’s ready in minutes.

Full ingredients + instructions are on the recipe card at the end. Before you scroll or jump down, don’t miss the useful tips in the post!

FREE PRINTABLE: LOW CARB & KETO FOOD LIST

GET IT NOW

This post may contain affiliate links, which help keep this content free. (Full disclosure)

Let me show you how to cook bacon in the microwave so that it gets nice and crispy! Oven baked bacon is great, but if you’re short on time, you’ve got to give microwave bacon a try. I promise, it really works!

Can You Cook Bacon In The Microwave?

Yes, you can cook bacon in the microwave. I know it sounds like it couldn’t possibly get nice and crispy, but it does.

Why You’ll Love This Microwave Bacon Recipe

Gets super crispy
Takes just a few minutes
No special equipment
No pans to wash
Great for small batches

Microwave bacon on a plate from side view

How To Cook Bacon In The Microwave

This section shows the best way to make bacon in the microwave, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, see the recipe card below.

Arrange. Line a large plate with 3 layers of paper towels. This is important for getting the bacon crispy! Place slices of bacon in a single layer, so they aren’t overlapping. Top the bacon with 3 more layers of paper towels.

Microwave. The cooking time will vary slightly, depending on how thick the slices are. See below for specific times.

Microwave Bacon Time Chart

How long to microwave bacon? The time will vary depending on your microwave power and the thickness of your bacon, but below is an approximate time chart for a 1000W microwave.

Bacon Thickness	Time Per Slice	Minutes For 6 Slices
Average	60 seconds	5-6 minutes
Thin	40 seconds	3-5 minutes
Thick Cut	80 seconds	7-9 minutes

Tips For The Best Microwave Bacon

Use uniform bacon slices. This ensures they cook at the same rate.
Rotate if necessary. If your microwave doesn’t have a turntable, rotate the plate a few times during the cooking process.
Check the bacon in the microwave occasionally. Start checking on your bacon about 1 minute before the estimated time, then add more time in 30-60 second increments until it’s done to your liking.
Let the bacon rest. Like most methods, microwaved bacon will crisp up more as it cools from hot to warm. Uncover and let it rest on the plate for a couple of minutes after it’s done, to crisp up more.
You can microwave bacon in layers to make more. If you want to microwave more than 6 slices of bacon, you can create additional layers. Simply arrange more slices of bacon over the top layer of paper towels, then top with more paper towels. Just make sure you have 3 layers of paper towels on the top and bottom, and between the layers of bacon.

TIP: It’s best to cook a MAXIMUM of 3 layers of bacon in the microwave. More than that, and it will start to cook unevenly. Also keep in mind that you will need to increase the cook time as you add more layers.

FAQs About Microwaving Bacon

Have more questions? Here’s everything you need to know! Ask in the comments below if you have another question I didn’t answer.

Will I get crispy bacon in the microwave?

Yes, you can get crispy bacon in the microwave. Follow the tips above to ensure they end up crispy instead of soggy.

Can you microwave frozen bacon?

Microwaving frozen bacon is not recommended as it won’t cook evenly.

Can you defrost bacon in the microwave?

Yes, you can remove the frozen bacon from the package and thaw in the microwave first on the defrost setting, and then cook it. Don’t try to cook it right from frozen.

Can you microwave turkey bacon?

Yes, you can microwave turkey bacon the same way. The cooking time might be slightly less as it’s leaner, so check it frequently.

Can you reheat bacon in the microwave?

Yes, simply reheat the bacon between a few layers of paper towels to get it crispy again.

You can cook crispy bacon like this in the microwave

Ways To Use Bacon

Besides the obvious use — eating! — here some other ways to enjoy bacon:

Reader Favorite Recipes

The recipe card is below! Readers that made this also viewed these recipes:

Ingredients

Click underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.

Instructions

Click on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

Line a large plate (at least the same diameter as the bacon length) with 3 layers of paper towels.
Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the paper towels, without overlapping. Top the bacon with 3 more layers of paper towels.
Microwave on High for 5-6 minutes for average thickness bacon, 3-5 minutes for thinner pieces, or 7-9 minutes for thick cut, until done to your liking. (Start checking at the lower end of the time ranges or even a minute before.)

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 bacon slice

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 60

Fat 5g

Protein 4g

Total Carbs 0.1g

Net Carbs 0g

Fiber 0.1g

Sugar 0.1g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Want to save this recipe?

Create a free account to save your favourites recipes and articles!