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Mar 08, 2023

The Twisting Hack You Need To Know For The Crispiest Bacon

In kitchens all across the U.S., few breakfast foods are as cherished as bacon.

In kitchens all across the U.S., few breakfast foods are as cherished as bacon. Beyond its flavor, there's no shortage of simple ways to cook bacon at home: The cured meat can be baked in the oven, fried in a pan, or zapped in the microwave with minimal effort. Given its hold on American dining culture, it should come as no surprise that the internet is filled with bacon-cooking hacks. One of the most popular methods involves baking rashers on sheet pans lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper for spatter-free and easy-to-clean bulk bacon. Among the many tips introduced on TikTok, there's a variation on this hack that promises crispy, chewy bacon — but there's a twist. That is, TikTokers are twisting their bacon.

The hack involves holding the bacon at both ends and twisting it lengthwise into a spiral shape, like a corkscrew. The recipe could hardly be more straightforward, and it results in very crispy yet juicy and meaty bacon. Simply twist the bacon and bake it on a sheet pan in the oven for an easy breakfast side dish that is perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a hassle-free morning meal at home. The trick has even been embraced by celebrity chefs, including Sunny Anderson of Food Network, who advises home cooks about "being careful to not stretch, just twist" the bacon.

Twisted bacon is incredibly easy to make. In one video on TikTok, a content creator tests the hack, providing cooking directions and demonstrating it in multiple ways. In short: Twist the bacon and cook it at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.

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Twisting the bacon increases the cooking time over the normal way of baking. However, TikTok users rave about how crispy it makes each strip. In addition, much of the fat runoff is retained in the crevices of the rashers, making them extra juicy. You could achieve an even chewier and meatier result that's still plenty crispy on the outside by using thick-cut bacon.

There are a number of variations on this recipe. As demonstrated in the video, you could wrap the bacon around a skewer if you're having difficulty twisting it. Keep in mind, however, that this will make the inside less chewy and meaty, as it decreases the density of the meat. In addition, the internet is in disagreement about the exact temperature and cook time to use. You can play around with these to make the bacon more or less chewy (while still ensuring it is fully cooked) so that the bacon can easily be tailored to your liking using trial and error.

The twisting hack makes great bacon on its own, but it can be dressed up any way you like. Try it with brown sugar to make it sweeter, with soy sauce and sesame seeds to give it more depth of flavor, or with a touch of cayenne pepper to make it spicy. However you choose to upgrade your bacon, this cooking method is a crispy, chewy canvas waiting for your creativity. Sunny Anderson favors mustard, smoked paprika to amp up the wood-fired flavor, and lots of chopped fresh thyme.

This recipe doesn't need to be limited to pork bacon, either. As demonstrated in the video, the method can be applied to other types of bacon, including turkey bacon. The end result is great when eaten as is with breakfast or brunch, but it can also be used in other ways. Try breaking apart the pieces and adding them to a salad in place of bacon bits or using them as a garnish for other dishes, such as waffles or eggs Benedict. Whole pieces would also work well for dipping in maple syrup, hollandaise, or any other sauce, either with a meal or as an appetizer. However you choose to enjoy, this twisting method is an easy way to make your bacon extra crispy while retaining its juiciness.