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Homemade Bacon Bits

by Laura Fuentes

February 20, 2012
updated Jun 1, 2023
5 from 6 votes
Learn how to make homemade bacon bits in the oven so they're perfectly crunchy and ready to be sprinkled over baked potatoes, salads, and more!
Jump to Recipe

All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Grab your favorite bacon, and let’s make homemade bacon bits! This recipe is a huge upgrade from the ones at the store, yielding crispy bacon pieces you can sprinkle over your favorite dishes. 

Bacon makes everything better, and whenever you have a recipe that needs a little more oomph, you now have ready-to-add flavor at your fingertips. 

large bowl of 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. 

side by side images of before and after baking bacon

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. 

You can also freeze homemade bacon bits in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months; this is a great tip if you want to make a large batch, but know that not even your family can eat that much bacon in a couple of days. 

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.

It also helps that this recipe is made with one ingredient: bacon, compared to commercially prepared bacon bits which are often made with soy products, artificial ingredients, and coloring.

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.

How to Make Bacon Bits: Healthy and Gluten-Free!

Laura Fuentes
5 from 6 votes
Learn how to make homemade bacon bits in the oven so they’re perfectly crunchy and ready to be sprinkled over baked potatoes, salads, and more!
Servings: 12
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces of bacon, any

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350F and position the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
  • Line a baking sheet with foil and place the bacon slices on the baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes, until they begin to turn dark and crispy.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the cooked bacon strips onto a stack of 3 to 4 paper towels. Pat dry them with another paper towel to absorb excess fat.
  • Tranfer them onto a chopping block and allow them to fully cool.
  • With a large kitchen knife, finely chop them into small pieces.

Notes

STORAGE: keep bacon bits in the refrigerator for 3 days in an airtight container or 3 months in the freezer.

Equipment

101 Packed Lunches
sheet pan

Nutrition

Serving: 1 servingCalories: 33kcalProtein: 6gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 567mg
Like this recipe?Rate and leave a comment below

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    Recipe Rating




  1. plasterer bristol

    January 19, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    5 stars
    yum these sound awesome. Thanks for this little recipe. simon.

    Reply
  2. Stace @ Saving Stace

    September 18, 2012 at 10:01 am

    5 stars
    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 :)

    Reply
    • Laura

      September 18, 2012 at 10:10 am

      My pleasure! It’s the brand we use at home since my daughter is allergic to many nitrates.

      Reply
  3. sunithi

    February 21, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    Great idea ! Pinned it on my Gluten Free Pinterest board !

    Reply
    • Laura

      September 18, 2012 at 10:10 am

      Thanks Suni!

      Reply
  4. GretaF

    February 20, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    5 stars
    I will definitely be trying this!

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 21, 2012 at 11:17 am

      Especially since most bacon bits out there ate no GF!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Crockpot Potato Cheese Soup says:
    May 10, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    […] cheesy potato soup. Ditch the canned stuff and let’s get real!  You can jazz it up by adding real bacon bits and chives (or dill as […]

    Reply

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