Step 1 Preheat the oven to 200 °C/ 400 °F (conventional), or 180 °C/ 355 °F (fan assisted). Cut the bacon into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces and arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with pepper. Bake for 15 minutes until crisp, ant then remove from the oven. You can use the bacon grease for greasing the pan in the next step.