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Christy Owenby, our newest culinary contributor, shares how to make healthy bacon bits. I appreciate this recipe because my daughter is allergic to nitrates, and I have to buy everything nitrate-free. These are so delicious, you will think of ways to put them in your recipes just to make more!—from Christy
Bacon bits are the perfect topper for a salad, loaded baked potato, omelets, and soups, but NOT the perfect product for your pantry. Commercial bacon bits are made mostly from soy flour, soybean oil, artificial flavoring, and food coloring. So why spend all your time trying to eat healthy and then add fake bacon to your meal?
Here is a simple easy solution—REAL BACON! And even better, bacon with no antibiotics or nitrates. Our kitchen favorite is Applegate Naturals. To make it even better, Applegate’s bacon is gluten- and casein-free. The pork is raised on their family farm and is vegetarian grain-fed. Sounds yummy. For an even healthier choice, you can use turkey bacon, and vegetarians have the option of soy bacon.
We all know how much kids love bacon, and I think they’ll love helping make their own bacon bits. When your meal calls for bacon bits, then head over to your refrigerator and not your pantry.
How to Make Bacon Bits: Healthy and Gluten-Free!
Ingredients
- 1 pack of bacon
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400F.
- Place the bacon slices on a baking sheet.
- Bake until you see them turn dark brown with a crispy look.
- Transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb extra fat.
- After they cool, transfer them to a cutting block, and chop the strips into small pieces, or place them in a food processor. Pulse until broken into small pieces.
- After they’re finely chopped, spread them on another clean baking sheet, and bake at 350F for 5 minutes. Take the bacon bits out, shake them onto a paper towel, and allow them to cool!
Notes
We recommend storing bacon bits in your refrigerator for 3 days in an airtight container or 3 months in the freezer. So make a bunch, and store away! Our choice—the real thing! Which is always much tastier and healthier.
8 - 8Shares
plasterer bristol
yum these sound awesome. Thanks for this little recipe. simon.
Stace @ Saving Stace
I love bacon bits, but I never buy them because the store bought ones are so nasty. I can’t wait to try these! Oh, and thanks for the recommendation of Applegate Naturals! I have been searching for a nitrate-free bacon, which is really, really difficult to find. Thanks :)
Laura
My pleasure! It’s the brand we use at home since my daughter is allergic to many nitrates.
sunithi
Great idea ! Pinned it on my Gluten Free Pinterest board !
Laura
Thanks Suni!
GretaF
I will definitely be trying this!
Laura
Especially since most bacon bits out there ate no GF!