Homemade Bacon Bits

Making Bacon Bits with Real Bacon

Making bacon bits with real bacon is super easy and tastes much better than the store-bought versions. 

The bacon is cooked until perfectly crisp, then finely chopped so you can top them over salads, eggs, baked potatoes, or my loaded baked potato soup recipe.

Make these with whatever bacon you have available, even turkey bacon works with this method. 

How to Make Bacon Bits in the Oven

Instead of pan-frying, we are making these bacon bits in the oven. This method minimizes grease splatters and gives the bacon a crunchy texture that’s easy to chop. Here’s what to do: 

1. Prep
   Position the oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350F. 
2. Bake
   Line a baking sheet with foil and place the bacon slices in an even layer onto the sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until the bacon is dark brown and crispy. 
3. Cool
   Remove the baking sheet from the oven and pat the bacon dry between paper towels. Transfer to a cutting board and allow the slices to cool completely. 
4. Chop
   Use a sharp knife to cut the bacon into fine, small pieces. Now you can use them as a topping or refrigerate them in an airtight container. 

How to Store Homemade Bacon Bits

Homemade bacon bits need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Since these are made with no preservatives, they must be refrigerated; otherwise, they’ll go bad if kept at room temperature. 

How Long Do Homemade Bacon Bits Last?

Freshly made bacon bits will last for 3 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer. Frozen bacon bits can be defrosted overnight in the fridge or warmed up in the microwave. 

Are Bacon Bits Healthy?

Homemade bacon bits are the real deal and a healthier way to add smoky bacon flavor to your favorite dishes since they don’t have preservatives or added flavorings. One serving has only 3.5 grams of fat and 3 grams of protein.

Are Homemade Bacon Bits Gluten-Free

Bacon bits made with real bacon are naturally gluten-free; however, for extra precaution, select a certified gluten-free brand of bacon or scan the ingredient list for gluten-derived seasonings and spice mixes.