Bacon Hacks: 18 Clever Tricks and Bacon Recipes People Save for the Holidays

These bacon hacks fix the three things everyone hates about cooking bacon: the grease spatter, the burnt edges and the floppy middle. Most of us were taught to throw bacon in a hot pan and flip it with a fork, and that is exactly why it goes wrong. Bacon tricks are some of the most shared food videos online, and MSN’s own 13 genius bacon hacks video is a favorite. Below you will find the smartest ways to cook, cut, freeze and save bacon, then the bacon recipes people save most for the holidays, from candied bacon to a bacon-wrapped lasagna. Pick one trick to try this weekend..

Bacon Hacks That End Spatter, Burnt Edges and Floppy Strips

Most of us were taught to fry bacon in a hot pan and flip it with a fork. That is the reason for the spatter, the burnt edges and the floppy middle. The fix is low, even heat and a little patience, and the oven does it best. Once you learn these bacon hacks, you may never stand over a spitting skillet again. How do you like yours: A: chewy, B: crispy or C: shatter-crisp?..

You will need: 1 lb bacon (regular or thick cut), 1 large rimmed baking sheet, parchment paper or foil, a wire rack (optional), paper towels, a heatproof jar for the drippings.

How to make it: 1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or foil. 2. Lay the strips flat, close but not overlapping. 3. Put the pan in a cold oven and set it to 400 F. 4. Bake 17 to 25 minutes, until as crisp as you like. 5. Move the strips to paper towels. 6. Let the drippings cool a little, then pour them through a strainer into a jar.

Bacon Hacks: Bake It on Parchment, No Flipping

Oven bacon is one of the bacon hacks that converts everyone. The strips cook evenly in their own fat, there is nothing to flip and no grease on the stove. Starting in a cold oven renders more fat slowly, so the bacon gets crisp instead of burnt. Thick cut needs about 5 extra minutes. Have you tried oven bacon yet?

You will need: 1 lb bacon, 1 rimmed baking sheet, parchment paper, black pepper or brown sugar (optional).

How to make it: 1. Line the pan with parchment. 2. Lay the bacon flat in one layer. 3. Slide it into a cold oven. 4. Set the oven to 400 F. 5. Bake 17 to 25 minutes without flipping. 6. Drain on paper towels.

Bacon Hacks for the Skillet: Start in a Cold Pan

If you prefer the skillet, put the bacon in a cold pan and then turn on the heat. As the pan warms slowly, the fat melts out before the meat tightens and burns. You get flatter, crispier strips and far less spatter. Medium heat is all you need. Which pan do you use: A: cast iron or B: nonstick?

You will need: 8 strips bacon, 1 large skillet, tongs, paper towels.

How to make it: 1. Lay the bacon in a cold skillet in one layer. 2. Turn the heat to medium. 3. Let it sizzle gently 8 to 12 minutes. 4. Turn the strips with tongs as they brown. 5. Pour off extra fat if the pan gets too full. 6. Drain on paper towels.

The Water Method, One of the Smartest Bacon Hacks

This restaurant trick sounds strange, but it works. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the pan along with the bacon. The water keeps the temperature low while the fat renders, then it cooks off and the bacon crisps in its own fat. The result is crisp but still tender, never tough. Would you try it?

You will need: 8 strips bacon, 1/3 cup water, 1 large skillet, tongs.

How to make it: 1. Lay the bacon in a cold skillet. 2. Add water until it just covers the bottom. 3. Turn the heat to high until the water simmers. 4. Lower to medium once the water is gone. 5. Cook until browned, turning a few times. 6. Drain on paper towels.

Air Fryer Bacon in About 10 Minutes

One of the easiest bacon hacks for small households: the air fryer. Cut strips in half so they fit, lay them in one layer and cook at 350 F. A slice of bread under the basket can soak up dripping fat and cut down on smoke. Check at 8 minutes, because every air fryer runs a little different.

You will need: 6 strips bacon cut in half, 1 slice bread (optional, for under the basket), paper towels.

How to make it: 1. Put a slice of bread in the bottom of the drawer if your model allows. 2. Lay the bacon in one layer in the basket. 3. Air fry at 350 F for 8 minutes. 4. Check for doneness. 5. Cook 1 to 3 minutes more for extra crisp. 6. Drain on paper towels.

Bacon Hacks for the Freezer: Roll It Up

Hate opening a whole pack for two strips? Roll each slice into a tight spiral, freeze the rolls on a tray, then store them in a freezer bag. Now you can grab exactly what you need. Frozen rolls thaw in about 10 minutes on the counter or go straight into a cold pan. It is one of the bacon hacks that saves real money.

You will need: 1 lb raw bacon, a baking sheet, parchment paper, a large freezer bag, a marker.

How to make it: 1. Line a baking sheet with parchment. 2. Roll each strip into a tight spiral. 3. Set the rolls on the sheet, not touching. 4. Freeze 1 to 2 hours until firm. 5. Move them into a labeled freezer bag. 6. Use within about 1 month for the best flavor.

Cut Lardons With Kitchen Scissors

Need little bacon bits for pasta, soup or green beans? One of the handiest bacon hacks: skip the knife and the slippery cutting board. Hold a stack of strips over the cold pan and snip them into pieces with kitchen scissors. Partly frozen bacon cuts even cleaner. Then cook the bits low and slow until crisp. Do you keep a jar of bacon bits ready?

You will need: 6 strips thick cut bacon, kitchen scissors, a skillet, a slotted spoon.

How to make it: 1. Chill or freeze the bacon 15 minutes so it is firm. 2. Stack 3 strips together. 3. Snip them crosswise into 1/2 inch pieces right into a cold skillet. 4. Cook over medium-low 10 minutes, stirring. 5. Lift out with a slotted spoon. 6. Drain on paper towels.

Bacon Hacks for Sandwiches: The Bacon Weave

A bacon weave covers every bite of a sandwich, so no one gets a bite with no bacon. Weave strips over and under like a lattice on a parchment-lined sheet, bake it whole and cut it to fit your bread. Tip: use regular cut strips, because thick cut makes the weave hard to bend. Is this the best BLT upgrade ever?

You will need: 6 strips regular cut bacon, parchment paper, a rimmed baking sheet, a wire rack (optional).

How to make it: 1. Lay 3 strips side by side on parchment. 2. Fold back the middle strip and lay a strip across. 3. Unfold, then fold back the outer strips and add another. 4. Repeat to make a 3 by 3 lattice. 5. Bake at 400 F for 20 to 25 minutes. 6. Drain and cut into squares.

The Better BLT Starts With Salted Tomatoes

The best BLT needs three small tricks. Salt the tomato slices and let them sit five minutes so they taste brighter. Toast the bread so it does not go soggy. And put the lettuce between the tomato and the bread to keep it crisp. Perfect bacon does the rest. Are you A: team mayo or B: team no mayo?

You will need: 4 strips crispy bacon or 1 bacon weave, 2 slices bread, 1 large tomato, salt and pepper, 2 lettuce leaves, 1 tbsp mayonnaise.

How to make it: 1. Slice the tomato and sprinkle with salt and pepper. 2. Let it sit 5 minutes and blot dry. 3. Toast the bread. 4. Spread both slices with mayonnaise. 5. Layer lettuce, tomato and bacon. 6. Top, press gently and cut in half.

Save the Drippings for Eggs, Potatoes and Cornbread

The thriftiest of all bacon hacks: do not pour bacon fat down the drain, where it can clog pipes. Strain the warm drippings into a heatproof jar and keep it in the fridge. A spoonful adds smoky flavor to fried eggs, roast potatoes, green beans and skillet cornbread. Grandma kept a jar by the stove for good reason. Love breakfast tricks? Try our egg hacks too.

You will need: Warm bacon drippings, a fine mesh strainer or a coffee filter, a heatproof glass jar with a lid.

How to make it: 1. Let the drippings cool for 5 minutes. 2. Set the strainer over the jar. 3. Pour the drippings through to catch the bits. 4. Cool completely and close the lid. 5. Store in the fridge for up to a few months. 6. Use a spoonful to fry eggs or roast potatoes.

Candied Brown Sugar Bacon

Candied bacon is sweet, salty and a little peppery, and it vanishes on any holiday table. Press brown sugar onto the strips and bake them on a rack so the glaze turns sticky and crisp. Tip: watch the last 5 minutes closely, because sugar goes from glossy to burnt fast. Would you serve it for brunch or as a party snack?

You will need: 1 lb thick cut bacon, 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 tsp black pepper, pinch of cayenne (optional), 1 tbsp maple syrup.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Set a rack on a foil-lined baking sheet. 3. Lay the bacon on the rack. 4. Mix the brown sugar, pepper and cayenne and press it onto the strips. 5. Drizzle with maple syrup. 6. Bake 25 to 30 minutes and cool on the rack.

Bacon-Wrapped Party Bites

Wrap anything small in a half strip of bacon and you have a crowd pleaser: little smoked sausages, dates, water chestnuts or chunks of chicken. Secure each one with a toothpick and bake on a rack so the bacon crisps all the way around. A brush of brown sugar glaze makes them disappear even faster. Which do you wrap first?

You will need: 1 lb bacon cut in thirds, 1 package (14 oz) cocktail sausages or 24 pitted dates, 1/3 cup brown sugar, toothpicks.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F. 2. Wrap each sausage or date in a piece of bacon. 3. Secure with a toothpick. 4. Set them on a rack over a lined pan. 5. Sprinkle with brown sugar. 6. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until the bacon is crisp.

Bacon-Wrapped Potato Roses

These look fancy but use just potatoes, bacon and butter. Thin potato slices roll into rose shapes, get a wrap of bacon and bake in a muffin tin until crisp at the edges and tender inside. They are a showstopper side for a holiday dinner. Tip: soak the slices in hot water for a minute so they bend without breaking.

You will need: 3 Yukon Gold potatoes, 12 strips bacon, 3 tbsp melted butter, salt and pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, chives.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 400 F and grease a muffin tin. 2. Slice the potatoes paper thin. 3. Overlap 6 to 8 slices in a row and roll them up. 4. Wrap each rose with a strip of bacon. 5. Set in the muffin cups, brush with butter and season. 6. Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

The Viral Bacon-Wrapped Lasagna

A bacon-wrapped lasagna cake recently pulled more than 1.3 million likes on Instagram, and it is as dramatic as it sounds. You line a round pan with a bacon weave, fill it with lasagna layers, fold the bacon over and bake. It slices like a cake. Is this genius or too much? Tell us.

You will need: 1 lb bacon, 9 cooked lasagna noodles, 3 cups meat sauce, 1 1/2 cups ricotta, 2 cups shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup Parmesan.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 375 F. 2. Line a 9 inch springform pan with a bacon weave, letting the ends hang over. 3. Layer noodles, sauce, ricotta and mozzarella three times. 4. Fold the bacon over the top. 5. Bake 60 minutes on a lined sheet. 6. Rest 15 minutes, then unmold and slice.

Creamy Bacon One-Pot Pasta

One reel of creamy bacon one-pot pasta has more than 2.3 million likes, and it makes sense: everything cooks in one pan. Crisp the bacon, cook the pasta right in broth and cream, then stir in Parmesan. The starch from the pasta makes the sauce silky with no extra steps. Would your family ask for seconds?

You will need: 6 strips bacon chopped, 1 small onion, 3 cloves garlic, 12 oz short pasta, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan, black pepper, parsley.

How to make it: 1. Cook the bacon in a large pot until crisp and set it aside. 2. Cook the onion and garlic in the fat 3 minutes. 3. Add the pasta, broth and cream. 4. Simmer 12 to 14 minutes, stirring often. 5. Stir in the Parmesan and pepper. 6. Top with the bacon and parsley.

Bacon Jam for Holiday Cheese Boards

Bacon jam is sweet, smoky and spreadable, and it makes any cheese board feel special. Bacon simmers slowly with onion, brown sugar, coffee and vinegar until thick and sticky. Spoon it over brie, burgers or crackers. A small jar tied with a ribbon also makes a great homemade gift for neighbors and teachers.

You will need: 1 lb bacon chopped, 1 large onion diced, 2 cloves garlic, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup brewed coffee, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, pepper.

How to make it: 1. Cook the bacon until crisp and pour off most of the fat. 2. Cook the onion 8 minutes until soft. 3. Add the garlic for 1 minute. 4. Stir in the sugar, coffee, vinegar and syrup. 5. Simmer 30 to 40 minutes until thick. 6. Pulse a few times in a food processor and store in the fridge.

Maple Bacon Biscuits

Fold crispy bacon bits and a little maple syrup into buttermilk biscuit dough and you get flaky, smoky, slightly sweet biscuits. Split one open and add an egg and cheese for the best breakfast sandwich. Tip: keep the butter very cold so the biscuits rise tall. Would you eat them A: plain or B: as a sandwich?

You will need: 2 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cold butter, 3/4 cup cold buttermilk, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 6 strips cooked bacon crumbled.

How to make it: 1. Heat the oven to 425 F. 2. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 3. Cut in the cold butter. 4. Stir in the buttermilk, maple syrup and bacon. 5. Pat 1 inch thick and cut out biscuits. 6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden.

Bacon Hacks for a Holiday Brunch Crowd

Feeding a crowd on Christmas morning? Bake two sheet pans of bacon the day before until just short of crisp. Chill it, then rewarm it on a sheet pan for 5 minutes before serving. It tastes freshly made and frees up the stove for eggs and pancakes. Which of these bacon hacks will you try first?

You will need: 2 lb bacon, 2 rimmed baking sheets, parchment paper, an airtight container, paper towels.

How to make it: 1. Bake the bacon at 400 F until almost crisp, about 15 minutes. 2. Drain well on paper towels. 3. Cool completely. 4. Store in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2 days. 5. Rewarm on a sheet pan at 400 F for 4 to 6 minutes. 6. Serve right away.