Best Microwave Bacon Cookers for Crispy Bacon in 2026
Compare three microwave bacon cookers for crisp strips, controlled splatter and easier cleanup, with practical guidance on capacity, tray design and fit.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication and are subject to change.
The Nordic Ware Bacon Tray & Defroster is the best microwave bacon cooker here because its large rectangular surface, raised ridges and angled drainage solve the everyday problem without demanding a special routine. A microwave rack cannot make bacon taste exactly like a cast-iron batch, but it can keep strips out of pooled fat and make breakfast much less messy. We compared capacity, grease handling, cleanup and the practical limits of three established designs.
Best microwave bacon cookers for crispy results
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nordic Ware Bacon Tray & Defroster | Best overall | View |
| Makin Bacon Microwave Dish | Best for large batches | View |
| Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon Grill | Best compact pick | View |
Nordic Ware Bacon Tray & Defroster: best overall
Nordic Ware Bacon Tray & Defroster
Nordic Ware's 11.9 by 10.3 by 1.3 inch rectangular tray earns the overall pick because it gives several slices room without asking you to drape them over bars. Its raised ridges and sloped base lift food while directing grease and moisture away, which is the key distinction from cooking on a flat plate. The same tray is intended for microwave defrosting, so it can earn space in a small kitchen beyond bacon mornings. It is made in the USA from BPA-free, melamine-free high-heat plastic and is oven-safe to 400°F, although its job here is microwave cooking. Choose it for family breakfasts or anyone who wants a roomy, simple surface. The tradeoff is maintenance: Nordic Ware recommends hand washing, warns that dishwasher use may discolor it, and advises against metal utensils.
Pros
- 11.9 by 10.3 inch rectangular area gives multiple strips a less crowded layout
- Sloped ridges separate bacon from rendered grease and moisture
- Also functions as a microwave defrosting tray for frozen proteins
Cons
- Hand washing is recommended because dishwasher use can discolor the plastic
- The broad rectangular footprint needs more microwave turntable clearance than a compact round rack
Makin Bacon Microwave Dish: best for large batches
Makin Bacon Microwave Dish
The Original Makin Bacon uses a completely different approach: bacon hangs over removable drip bars rather than resting on a ridged tray. Its instructions specify one center bar for one to six strips, two bars for seven to twelve, and all three for thirteen to eighteen, making it the clearest choice when serving a crowd. The 9.06 by 8.82 inch plastic dish catches the rendered fat below, and the manufacturer directs users to cover the bars with a paper towel to control splatter. It is molded in the USA and the listing's method calls for high-power cooking in half- to one-minute-per-strip increments. Pick it when throughput matters more than a low-profile tray. Its limitation is the extra handling: draping strips, using a paper towel and cleaning the bars are more involved than laying bacon on a rack, especially for a one-person breakfast.
Pros
- Three removable drip bars scale from one strip to an 18-strip batch
- Bacon hangs above the collection dish instead of sitting in drippings
- Corner drainage lets you pour accumulated fat from the base after cooking
Cons
- The prescribed paper-towel cover adds a recurring consumable and setup step
- Hanging strips over bars takes longer to load than placing them on a flat rack
Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon Grill: best compact pick
Nordic Ware 2-Sided Bacon Grill
Nordic Ware's round 2-Sided Bacon Grill is the compact option for a smaller microwave or a couple of servings. At 10.4 by 9.4 by 1 inches, it has a round, turntable-friendly form and a ribbed side that elevates bacon or sausage above grease. Flip it over and the flat side is designed for heating or serving pizza, bagels and tortillas, so it is more versatile than a bacon-only rack. Like the larger Nordic Ware tray, it is BPA-free, melamine-free high-heat plastic, made in the USA and oven-safe to 400°F. Choose it if storage and microwave fit are more important than maximum batch size. The shallow one-inch profile gives it less capacity for drippings than a deeper dish, and Nordic Ware recommends hand washing rather than relying on a dishwasher.
Pros
- Round 10.4 by 9.4 inch shape is easier to position on many microwave turntables
- Ribbed side raises bacon or sausage while fat drains below
- Flat reverse side can warm bagels, tortillas or pizza instead of sitting unused
Cons
- One-inch depth leaves less room for drippings than a taller collection dish
- Round shape and smaller cooking area are less suitable for a large family batch
What makes microwave bacon crisp rather than greasy?
The decisive feature is elevation. Bacon releases fat quickly in a microwave, and a flat plate leaves the strip in that liquid. A ridged tray or draped-bar system keeps more of the surface above the drippings, while a shallow basin or angled channel provides somewhere for the fat to go. That does not remove every variable: bacon thickness, slice overlap, microwave wattage and starting temperature still matter. A rack gives you control over the part that cookware can control.
How to use a microwave bacon cooker well
Arrange bacon in one layer and leave a small gap between pieces. With the Makin Bacon, distribute strips evenly over the selected drip bars and use the paper-towel cover described in its instructions. With either Nordic Ware product, keep the bacon on the ridged side and avoid piling slices together. The published Nordic Ware directions start at one minute per piece, then add 30-second intervals until completely cooked; the Makin Bacon listing gives a half- to one-minute-per-strip range. Treat those as starting points, since microwaves differ.
FAQ
Can a microwave bacon cooker make bacon crispy?
Yes, provided the bacon is held above pooled grease and cooked in short, watched intervals. A ridged or bar-style cooker helps rendered fat move away from the strip, but crispness still depends on bacon thickness, spacing and microwave power. Do not overlap slices, and allow a brief rest after cooking before judging the final texture.
Which cooker is better for a family breakfast?
The Makin Bacon Microwave Dish is the strongest fit when you regularly need a large batch because its three drip bars are specified for up to 18 strips. The Nordic Ware Bacon Tray & Defroster is a simpler choice for several separated strips at once. In either case, confirm the cooker's footprint and height fit your microwave interior.
Do these bacon cookers need special care?
All three benefit from washing after the grease has cooled. Nordic Ware recommends hand washing its plastic trays and cautions against dishwasher use for the larger tray because it may discolor the finish. Its large tray should not be used with metal utensils. For the Makin Bacon dish, wash the base and drip bars carefully so residual grease does not remain in the joints.
Prices and availability are accurate as of publication and can change.