That’s right, you can make your own bacon bits in your air fryer. They taste even better than store-bought bacon bits! You might be thinking, “I could just cook bacon and crumble it up,” but those won’t have the same texture and flavor as these bacon bits.
Most recipes can use homemade bacon crumbles, which are cooked and broken up pieces of bacon. But if you want the BEST BACON BITS ever, follow this cooking method!
You can add bacon bits to egg salad, tossed salads, pasta salads, baked potatoes, and a lot of other things.
Bacon bits are a beloved topping for salads, baked potatoes, casseroles, and more. Their smoky, salty, crunchy flavor takes dishes to the next level. But what do you do with bacon bits that you don’t plan to use right away? Can you freeze bacon bits to keep them fresh?
The short answer is yes, you can absolutely freeze bacon bits to extend their shelf life When frozen and stored properly, bacon bits can last in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Bacon bits can be frozen to save money, avoid waste, and always be on hand when a recipe calls for them. This detailed guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to freeze bacon bits, such as
- Benefits of Freezing Bacon Bits
- How to Freeze Bacon Bits
- Thawing and Using Frozen Bacon Bits
- How Long Bacon Bits Last in the Freezer
- Tips for Freezing Bacon Bits
Benefits of Freezing Bacon Bits
There are several advantages to freezing leftover or homemade bacon bits rather than letting them go bad
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Increases Shelf Life: Freezing stops bacteria from growing and food from going bad, so bacon bits can be kept for up to 6 months.
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Saves Money: Freezing reduces food waste, so you don’t have to keep buying new packages of bacon bits.
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Adds Convenience: Frozen bacon bits are ready to use whenever you need them for recipes.
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Locks in Freshness: Frozen bacon bits maintain quality and flavor better than refrigerated ones over time.
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Allows Bulk Preparation: Make or buy bacon bits in large batches, then freeze in portions for later.
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Enables Better Portioning: Frozen bits can be easily scooped out as needed, reducing thawed waste.
How to Freeze Bacon Bits
Freezing bacon bits is simple, but there are some tips that can help maximize freshness and quality:
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Start with cooked, cooled bacon bits. Make your own by baking bacon slices until crispy then chopping into bits. Or use store-bought real bacon bits.
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Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Avoid clumping. Freeze until hardened, about 1 hour.
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Transfer to airtight containers or bags. Remove as much air as possible before sealing. Use freezer-safe plastic containers, zipper bags, or Mason jars.
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Label containers with date and contents. Track how long the bacon bits have been frozen.
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Freeze for up to 6 months for best quality, though they can last even longer frozen.
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Avoid repeated thaw/refreeze cycles. Thaw only what you plan to use within a few days.
Thawing and Using Frozen Bacon Bits
Frozen bacon bits thaw quickly and are easy to use in recipes:
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Thaw in the refrigerator overnight for slow, safe thawing.
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Or thaw at room temperature in just 1-2 hours.
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Microwave in 10 second bursts to quickly thaw a small portion.
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Use thawed bacon bits within 1 week for maximum freshness and quality.
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Add to salads, baked potatoes, pasta, casseroles, etc. Their texture may be less crunchy after freezing.
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Saute briefly to help re-crisp thawed bacon bits if desired.
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Avoid refreezing thawed bacon bits. Cook and refreeze for best results if not using within 1 week.
How Long Do Bacon Bits Last in the Freezer?
Bacon bits that are correctly frozen in airtight packaging can be kept frozen for up to 6 months.
After 6 months, frozen bacon bits will still be safe to eat but may suffer some loss of texture and flavor quality. They may not be as crispy after being frozen for an extended period.
For the best quality and taste, try to use frozen bacon bits within 3-4 months. Monitor your frozen foods and toss anything past 6 months.
Proper freezer storage is important. Keep bacon bits consistently frozen at 0°F or below. Temperature fluctuations can hasten moisture loss and quality deterioration.
Tips for Freezing Bacon Bits
Follow these tips to successfully freeze and store bacon bits:
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Make or buy REAL bacon bits, not imitation soy bits, for best freezing results.
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Cool bacon completely before chopping into bits to prevent moisture build-up.
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Use airtight freezer bags or containers, squeezing out excess air.
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Avoid overfilling containers which can lead to freezer burn.
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Freeze in measured portions like 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup amounts for easy use.
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Keep frozen bacon bits away from freezer door where temperature fluctuates.
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Label everything clearly with contents and freeze date.
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Store in coldest part of freezer (0°F or below) for maximum shelf life.
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Let bacon bits thaw safely in the fridge before using, not on the counter.
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Use thawed bacon bits within 1 week for best quality, or refreeze.
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Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles by only thawing what you’ll use quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze pre-cooked bacon bits or bits made from real bacon?
Yes, you can absolutely freeze store-bought real pre-cooked bacon bits or homemade bacon bits sliced from regular bacon. Both can be frozen successfully up to 6 months.
How do you make homemade bacon bits for freezing?
To make homemade bacon bits for the freezer, bake bacon slices until fully cooked and crispy. Let cool completely, then chop into smaller bits. Freeze spread out in a single layer until hardened, then transfer to an airtight container.
What is the best way to thaw frozen bacon bits?
The best way to safely thaw frozen bacon bits is overnight in the refrigerator. This protects food safety. Room temperature thawing is quicker but more risky. Microwave defrosting works in a pinch for small portions.
Can you refreeze bacon bits after thawing?
It’s best to avoid refreezing previously thawed bacon bits. For optimal quality and texture, thaw only the amount you will use within a week. To refreeze, cook thawed bits again until sizzling hot before returning to the freezer.
How can you keep frozen bacon bits fresh?
Maximize freshness of frozen bacon bits by freeze in airtight packaging with as little air as possible. Store in the coldest part of the freezer, avoid overcrowding, minimize temperature fluctuations, and use within 6 months.
The Bottom Line
Freezing bacon bits is an easy, reliable way to save money, reduce waste, and always have that smoky, salty, crispy flavor on hand whenever a recipe calls for it.
With proper freezer storage in airtight bags or containers, bacon bits can stay fresh and tasty for up to 6 months in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave just what you need.
Making homemade bacon bits and freezing them in batches allows you to customize flavors and be prepared for any recipe. Keep your freezer stocked so a sprinkle of bacon bits is always just a defrost away!
Honey Ginger Soy Bacon Bits
Honey, water, soy sauce, and freshly grated ginger should all be mixed together. Put the bacon slices in the fridge overnight to marinate.
Cut the bacon into strips and air fry!
Cooking Methods For Homemade Bacon Bits
They can be made in the oven or on the stove. I like to use my air fryer to make my own bacon bits. When you use an air fryer, the bacon goes in the basket, and the grease drips out of the holes in the basket. When you’re done, it’s easy to take out the basket and strain the grease so you can cook with it or make warm bacon dressing.
This recipe only needs one simple thing: bacon! I love thick-cut bacon, but for this recipe I use thinner, cheaper bacon. Thin-cut bacon may give you a little more bacon, but I like the texture better when I use thick-cut. It doesn’t matter what kind of bacon you use, but I suggest a brand that you like eating as whole strips.
Its important to use raw bacon in this recipe and not the prepackaged bacon that is fully cooked. I buy a pound of bacon at a time and cook it all at once in my air fryer. But unless you have a very big air fryer, I would only do one pound at a time. It doesn’t have to be straight up.
If you want to use turkey bacon instead, I haven’t tried it myself, but I’m sure you could if you lowered the heat a lot and bought a type of turkey bacon that actually gets crispy when cooked.