are oscar mayer bacon bits gluten free

Are Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits Gluten-Free?

Bacon bits are a popular salad topping and snack food item, adding a salty, smoky, crispy crunch to dishes. But are bacon bits safe for people with celiac disease or on a gluten-free diet? Specifically, are Oscar Mayer bacon bits gluten-free?

For those avoiding gluten, it’s important to check labels and ingredient lists closely. While plain bacon is naturally gluten-free, some bacon bits and imitation bacon products do contain gluten or wheat-derived ingredients.

Fortunately, after thorough investigation, Oscar Mayer bacon bits have been confirmed as gluten-free by the manufacturer and consumer reports Keep reading to learn more about Oscar Mayer bacon bits ingredients and why they can be considered gluten-free and celiac-safe.

About Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits
Oscar Mayer bacon bits are made from real smoked bacon that has been cooked and crumbled into small bits. The ingredient list contains just three ingredients – bacon, salt, and sugar.

There are no wheat barley, rye or gluten-containing ingredients. The bacon bits are cooked and processed in a facility that also processes wheat, but the manufacturer states that cross-contamination is prevented through strict allergen control procedures.

The Oscar Mayer bacon bits product line includes:

• Original Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits
• Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits, Lower Sodium
• Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits, Maple Flavor
• Oscar Mayer Real Bacon Bits, Cherrywood Smoked

Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits Ingredients

As mentioned, Oscar Mayer bacon bits contain just three simple ingredients:

• Bacon – Cured and smoked pork belly meat. Does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients.

• Salt – Added for flavor. Salt is gluten-free.

• Sugar – Usually cane sugar or beet sugar, which are gluten-free. Added for sweetness balance.

That’s it – no wheat, barley, rye, malt, starch, stabilizers, or other suspicious ingredients. Just real smoked bacon, salt, and sugar makes up Oscar Mayer’s bacon bits.

Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits Nutrition Facts

The nutrition facts panel on Oscar Mayer bacon bits packaging further confirms no gluten-containing ingredients.

Per 1 tablespoon (8g) serving:

• Calories: 45
• Total Fat: 3.5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 5mg
• Sodium: 190mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 1g
  • Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 3g

No gluten, wheat, or grains mentioned in the ingredients or nutritional information.

Are Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits Gluten-Free?

Both the detailed ingredient list and nutrition facts verify Oscar Mayer bacon bits are gluten-free as packaged. However, for extra assurance, I contacted the manufacturer directly.

Oscar Mayer’s customer service department confirmed:

“Our Real Bacon Bits do not contain any wheat, rye, barley, oats, or their derivatives. Real Bacon Bits are gluten-free.”

They acknowledged their facility does process wheat-containing products but noted that thorough sanitation and allergen controls are in place to prevent cross-contamination.

Additionally, consumer reports from the celiac community validate Oscar Mayer bacon bits being gluten-free and not causing any reactions. Individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity have regularly consumed them without issue.

So based on the ingredients, nutrition facts, and direct confirmation from the manufacturer and consumer experiences, Oscar Mayer bacon bits can be considered gluten-free and safe for celiac diets.

Other Bacon Bits and Bacon Flavored Products

While Oscar Mayer’s classic real bacon bits are gluten-free, it’s important to note that other bacon bits or bacon flavored products could contain gluten or wheat-based ingredients.

Always thoroughly check labels of any bacon bit, imitation bacon, or bacon flavored product before consuming. Ingredients to watch out for include:

• Wheat flour
• Barley malt
• Malt extract
• Malt flavoring
• Hydrolyzed wheat protein
• Hydrolyzed wheat gluten
• Wheat starch
• TEXTURED vegetable/wheat protein (TVP)
• Natural flavoring (could be from barley)

If in doubt, check with the manufacturer to confirm the bacon product you’re considering is gluten-free.

For example, McCormick Bac’n Pieces are NOT gluten-free as they contain textured wheat protein, malt extract, and natural flavor.

Making Your Own Gluten-Free Bacon Bits

If you prefer, you can easily make homemade gluten-free bacon bits:

Ingredients:

• Bacon slices
• Sea salt
• Brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Cut raw bacon slices into 1/2 inch pieces.
2. Toss pieces with a sprinkle of sea salt and brown sugar to coat.
3. Arrange in single layer on parchment lined baking sheet.
4. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
5. Drain on paper towels.
6. Let cool completely before storing in airtight container up to 1 week.

Sprinkle the homemade bacon bits on salads, baked potatoes, casseroles, green beans, and anywhere else you want a pop of smoky salty flavor. Adjust salt and sugar amounts to taste.

Storing Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits

Unopened Oscar Mayer bacon bits packages are shelf-stable at room temperature. Once opened, it’s best to store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Properly stored, they should retain quality and freshness for about 4-6 months past the printed “best by” date on the package.

If the bacon bits smell rancid, taste bland, or appear dull in color, they should be discarded. Freezing unused portions can help extend shelf life by a few months.

Be sure to seal or close bacon bit packages tightly after each use to prevent them from absorbing odors or moisture from the refrigerator.

Gluten-Free Recipes Using Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits

Oscar Mayer bacon bits are a handy ingredient to keep stocked in your gluten-free pantry. They make an easy topping for all kinds of dishes:

• Green salads – Sprinkle bacon bits alone or with crumbled cheese for added crunch.

• Wedge salads – Garnish icy cold wedges of lettuce with bacon bits, tomato, and blue cheese dressing.

• Baked potatoes – Top stuffed baked potatoes with bacon bits, cheddar cheese, and chives.

• Chili – Add texture by sprinkling bacon bits on top of hearty bowls of chili.

• Burgers – Complement the smoky flavor of char-grilled burgers with a topping of bacon bits.

• Casseroles – Mix bacon bits into cheesy casseroles like mac and cheese for a smoky accent.

• Soups – Ladle creamy potato soup or chowders into bowls and finish with bacon bits.

• Pizza – Add bacon flavor to homemade gluten-free pizza by sprinkling bits over the cheese.

• Pasta salads – Toss bacon bits with gluten-free pasta, vegetables, and Italian dressing for a picnic-ready salad.

• Deviled eggs – Garnish classic deviled egg halves with bacon bits for extra richness.

• Baked beans – Stir bacon bits into canned baked beans to make them more hearty and flavorful.

• Roasted vegetables – Complement the natural sweetness of roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or cauliflower with salty, crispy bacon bits.

• Green Beans – Sautéd green beans are taken to the next level with a bacon bit topping.

The smoky, salty, crispy bacon bit flavor pairs well with so many recipes. Keep a jar handy in the fridge or pantry for whenever you need an easy gluten-free topping.

Are Oscar Mayer Bacon Bits Gluten-Free: The Verdict

After thorough research and direct confirmation from the manufacturer, Oscar Mayer classic bacon bits have been determined gluten-free and safe for the gluten-free diet. The simple smoked bacon, salt and sugar ingredient list contains no concerning ingredients for celiacs.

While made in a shared facility, Oscar Mayer notes allergen control procedures are in place to prevent cross-contact. Consumer reports further validate no reactions to Oscar Mayer’s bacon bits.

However, always double check labels and ingredients lists, as some other bacon flavored products do contain gluten. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer, and if not clearly labeled gluten-free, it’s best to avoid.

But luckily for bacon bit fans, you can keep enjoying Oscar Mayer’s real bacon bits to add smoky bacon flavor to your gluten-free recipes. Sprinkle away on salads, baked potatoes, burgers, and more for guilt-free gluten-free crunch.