December is National Bacon Month! This year, we’re exploring the best ways to cook bacon
Canadians have strong opinions about bacon - crisp, chewy, smoky, thick-cut, pan-fried, oven-baked… the debates are endless, and honestly, we love that
Did you know December is National Bacon Month - a celebration Maple Leaf Foods helped establish years ago. So, we figured this is the perfect moment to dive into what makes a great slice of bacon. Our team of chefs and product developers spend countless hours perfecting the cuts, cures, and cooking methods that are best for each slice. This hard work is driven by curiosity, skill, and a genuine love for helping Canadians bring home the bacon.
Our team has tested just about every method out there. Whether you have it sizzling on the stove, are keeping it splatter-free in the oven, multi-tasking with the air fryer, or making it easy with the microwave – here’s everything you need to enjoy a mouth-watering slice of bacon.
Here’s our guide to cooking bacon your way -whether you’re after convenience, crispiness, or classic comfort.
Microwave: the quickest path to crispy convenience
If you’re looking for an easy and delicious method for making a crispy and delicious piece of bacon – look no further than the perfect easy method of the microwave. Whether you’re in a pinch for a quick breakfast or want to make meal-prepping a breeze, Maple Leaf Ready Crisp Bacon is the perfect product for you.
For a quick and easy lunch or dinner, try Maple Leaf®’s Grilled Romaine Bacon salad, a perfect mix of classic Caesar salad with the salty crunch of bacon. Just microwave your Maple Leaf Ready Crisp Bacon for as little as 5 seconds, and enjoy!
Stovetop: the classic sizzle
A classic approach to making bacon, and ideal method for precise control while cooking, is bacon on the stove. The key to a mess free and delicious batch of bacon is to work on medium heat to prevent burning and minimize excess oil from sputtering out of the pan.
For many, stove top bacon is reminiscent of weekend breakfasts – a perfect time to enjoy your favourite foods with the ones you love most. LightLife®’s Smart Bacon is a great way to enjoy a delicious plant-based bacon breakfast with classic waffles and fruit for a balanced meal.
Air Fryer: A modern twist on the classic
The air fryer is a treasured and extremely useful tool in the kitchen when it comes to creating delicious meals. Air frying bacon is often a bit quicker than cooking on the stove top or in the oven and allows for easy cleaning as many air fryers have drip trays to catch any unwanted oils.
If you’re excited to use the air fryer for bacon, give Schneiders® Bacon and Egg Dutch Baby a try. This is a great recipe that allows you to easily cook bacon in the air fryer because you can simultaneously work on other tasty components of the dish. While the Dutch Baby cooks, you can use the air fryer for fast and easy crispy bacon!
Oven: set it, forget it, and keep things tidy
Enjoy your oven-crispy bacon with this easy recipe that combines delicious taters and crispy bacon for the perfect snack or appetizer.
Maple Leaf Bacon Wrapped Tater Tot Bites uses Maple Leaf® Original Natural Bacon wrapped around tater tots for a great oven-cooking experience. No mess, no splatter, just all delicious bacon goodness.
The best way to cook bacon? The way you love.
Whether you’re sizzlin' on the stove, crisping in the oven, air frying to perfection, or microwaving in a pinch, bacon always delivers. The beauty of it is imple: there's no sinle right or wrong way to cook it – only the way that tastes right to you.
At Maple Leaf Foods, our chefs and product development teams spend countless hours refining the cuts, cures, and cooking methods that bring out the best in every slice. It’s work driven by curiosity, craft, and a genuine love for helping Canadians enjoy bacon exactly the way they like it.
So this December, celebrate National Bacon Month by exploring all the ways bacon can fit into your favourite meals. Try a new method, test a new recipe, or return to one that feels like home. Because when it comes to bacon, the only rule is to keep it delicious!
