The paper towel method needs nothing more than a microwave-safe plate, paper towels and bacon. Glass or Pyrex plates are a common choice because they handle the heat well. The steps below suit roughly one to six strips at a time, depending on how large the plate is.
How-to
How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Cook bacon in the microwave with paper towels and a plate: six steps, timing by cut, and the mistakes that leave strips soggy or uneven.
Microwave bacon has a reputation for coming out limp, and the cause is almost never the microwave. It is the paper towels. Grease that has nowhere to go stays on the strip and steams it, while grease that soaks into a few thick layers leaves the bacon dry and crisp. Get the setup right and a plate of strips is done in minutes, with no pan to scrub and no stovetop spatter.
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Six steps to crisp bacon on a plate
- Line a microwave-safe plate with three or four layers of paper towel.
- Lay the bacon on top in a single layer, with a little space between strips.
- Cover the strips with one or two more layers of paper towel.
- Microwave on high for the first interval (see the timing section below).
- Check the strips, rotate the plate if your microwave has no turntable, and add time in short bursts until the bacon is as crisp as you like.
- Let it rest on the towels for about a minute, then move it to a clean plate.
How long does microwave bacon take?
There is no single time, because microwave wattage, bacon thickness and the number of strips all change the result. Guidance from cooks ranges from about 30 seconds to a minute per strip, and a batch of regular-cut bacon often lands somewhere around five to six minutes in total, with thick-cut taking a few minutes longer. Treat any figure as a starting point.
The safer approach is to start short and add time. Run the first interval, lift the top towels, look at the strips, then continue in bursts of 20 to 30 seconds. Bacon goes from crisp to burnt quickly at the end, and a high-powered microwave gets there sooner, so the first batch in a new microwave is worth watching closely. Fresh paper towels for each new batch keep the grease from building up.
Four mistakes that ruin the batch
Most failed plates of microwave bacon trace back to the same few habits.
- Too few paper towels: thin layers soak through, and the strips sit in grease and turn limp.
- Strips that touch or overlap: the meeting edges stay soft and chewy while the rest dries out.
- Overcooking: the last minute does the damage, so check early and add time gradually.
- Crowding the plate: more strips than the plate holds in a single layer leads to uneven results, so cook in rounds instead.
Bowl method and dedicated trays
Paper towels are not the only route. In the bowl method, strips are draped over the rim of a microwave-safe bowl set on a plate, so grease runs down into the bowl and onto the plate instead of staying under the bacon. A loose cover of paper towel keeps the splatter in. Take care when lifting out the plate, since the grease that collected on it is very hot.
A purpose-made tray does the same job with less improvising. Most have raised ridges or a rack that holds the strips above the fat, and many come with a vented lid to contain spatter. Whether one is worth the cupboard space depends on how often bacon is on the menu, how many strips you cook at once, and whether you prefer glass, ceramic or plastic. See our recommendations on which bacon cooker to buy for models compared on those points.
Frequently asked
Can I cook turkey bacon in the microwave using this method?
Yes, the same plate-and-towel setup works. Turkey bacon cooks faster and dries out easily, so shorten the first interval and check often.
Can I reuse the paper towels?
No. Towels soaked in bacon grease should be thrown away after each batch, and the next round gets a fresh set.
Why does my bacon curl in the microwave?
Curling usually means the strips cooked unevenly. Laying them flat in a single layer, covering them with towel and rotating the plate partway through all help keep them flat.