Use A Panini Press For Ultra-Crispy Bacon

Mmm ... bacon! There are few things better than the mouthwatering aroma of bacon filling the air, let alone the ultra-umami flavor of the beloved cured meat. Bacon is truly an icon in the culinary world, making its way onto breakfast and brunch plates as well as into a huge variety of salads, soups, sandwiches, pastas, pizza, you name it. And people really love it. The bacon market reached around $6 billion in 2022, according to IBISWorld.

There are several tried and true, effective methods of cooking bacon, and people everywhere seem to have their own personal preferences when it comes to achieving the favored level of crispiness. Frying pans and skillets certainly get the job done, although there's the risk of hot grease splattering every which way. Baking bacon in the oven is another common technique a lot of folks swear by, although it can take a bit longer. The microwave is also an option, but it can be tough to nail down the ideal cook time.

There is one appliance you can use, however, that you may not have considered for bacon-prepping: the panini press.

As it turns out, panini presses can do a whole lot more than just pressing paninis. These nifty gadgets, which are designed to toast the classic Italian sandwiches in minutes, are shockingly useful for making tons of other tasty foods, including but not limited to omelets, hash browns, cookies, brownies, and of course, savory, sizzling bacon.

Here's why you should give your panini press a new life, especially if it's been a while since you've used it. The recipe for whipping up bacon with the trendy kitchen tool is so easy, you'll wonder why it took you so long to realize its unsung versatility. All you have to do is place the strips in a single layer (without overlapping), close the lid, and let the bacon cook for 10 minutes, according to Panini Happy. Voila! Perfectly crispy bacon to enjoy however — and whenever — you'd like.

In addition to the surprisingly short cook time, one of the top benefits of making bacon in a panini press is that cleanup is a cinch. Panini Happy suggests carefully wiping any leftover fat out of the grooves of the press while it's still warm.