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 popular topping for salads baked potatoes, casseroles and more. The crunchy, salty pieces of bacon add great texture and flavor to many dishes. While you can buy pre-made bacon bits at the grocery store, they often lack the crispiness and flavor of freshly cooked bacon. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to revive store-bought bacon bits and make them crispy again.
Why Store Bought Bacon Bits Lose Their Crispiness
Pre-made bacon bits are cooked and then packaged. During the cooking process some of the natural fats in the bacon render out. However, not all of the fat renders away. Once the cooked bacon bits are packaged the remaining fats can go rancid over time. This causes the bacon to lose its crunch and take on a soft, soggy texture. Additionally, during storage and shipping, the bacon bits are exposed to pressure and moisture which can make them less crisp.
Tips for Crisping Up Store Bought Bacon Bits
While homemade bacon bits will always be the crispiest, you can restore the crunch to store-bought bits Here are some quick and easy methods
Air Fry Them
One of the easiest ways to make bacon bits crispy is by air frying them. The circulating hot air crisps up the bacon bits perfectly in just minutes. Here’s a quick guide:
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
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Spread bacon bits out in a single layer on the air fryer basket.
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Air fry for 2-5 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until crispy.
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Let cool and store in an airtight container.
The air fryer renders any remaining fat and dehydrates the bacon bits to make them super crispy. Be careful not to overcook them though, or they may burn.
Bake Them
You can also use your oven to crisp up bacon bits. The dry heat of the oven dehydrates the bacon and makes it perfectly crispy. Here’s how:
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Spread bacon bits out in a single layer and bake for 5-7 minutes.
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Remove from oven and let cool before storing in an airtight container.
Shake the pan halfway through for even crisping. Watch closely near the end to avoid burning.
Pan Fry Them
For a quick stovetop method, you can pan fry the bacon bits.
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Heat a skillet over medium heat.
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Add bacon bits and fry for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
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Once crispy, remove from pan and drain on paper towels before storing.
The direct heat crisps up the bacon bits nicely. Just don’t overcrowd the pan or they may steam instead of fry.
Microwave Them
You can even use the microwave to make store-bought bacon bits crispy. This method requires frequent stopping to check crispness:
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Spread bacon bits in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate.
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Microwave on high in 30 second intervals until crispy, stirring between cook times.
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Allow to cool fully before storing in an airtight container.
Microwaving too long can make the bacon bits rubbery and overcooked. Check often for doneness.
Storing Crispy Bacon Bits
Proper storage is key for keeping your crisped up bacon bits fresh. Here are some tips:
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Let bacon bits cool fully before storing.
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Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
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For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 month.
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Can also freeze crispy bacon bits for 6 months. Let thaw before using.
The crispiness will start fading after about a week. For maximum crunch, use within a few days.
Homemade Bacon Bits Are Best
While the methods above will definitely help revive store-bought bacon bits, homemade ones are Always the crispiest. It’s easy to make your own:
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Cut raw bacon into small pieces.
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Cook until crispy by frying, baking, or air frying.
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Drain on paper towels and let cool.
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Keep refrigerated and use within 1 week.
Homemade bacon bits have fantastic texture and you control the seasoning. Make a big batch to have on hand anytime a recipe calls for bacon bits!
So don’t toss out those store-bought bacon bits! With just a few minutes of cooking, you can make them crispy and delicious again. Air frying, baking, pan frying, and microwaving are all easy ways to revive bacon bits. Be sure to let them fully cool before storing in an airtight container. For ultimate freshness and crunch, try making your own bacon bits. Add these crispy, salty bits to salads, bakes potatoes, pizza and more for a flavor boost!
Flavor Variations of Bacon Bits
If you are a bacon lover like me and my husband, then you have probably tried candied bacon, and guess what?… candied bacon makes delicious bacon bits!
Simply marinate the bacon slices and then slice into strips to make homemade candied bacon bits. Because there is a higher sugar content, lower the cooking temperature about 50 degrees.
How to Store Bacon Bits
Refrigeration
Make sure the bacon bits have cooled and then transfer them into an airtight container or plastic bag. Putting a paper towel in with them helps them stay crispy longer because it soaks up any extra grease.
You can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Before freezing, I recommend putting the bacon bits in the refrigerator overnight so they are completely cold.
Even a little steam from them being warm before putting them in the freezer can make ice crystals form.
Place the bacon bits in a freezer bag, a vacuum sealer bag (and vacuum seal), or an airtight freezer container.
Freeze for up to 6 months for best quality.
Homemade bacon bits should always be stored in the refrigerator or frozen for longer storage. Bacon bits can be kept in the fridge for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container or frozen for up to 6 months.
You can make as much or as little as you want by increasing or decreasing the bacon used. I think that cooking no more than one pound of bacon strips at a time will give you the best results. The cooking times will stay the same no matter how little or how much bacon you cook. 1 pound of bacon strips will make about 1 cup of bacon bits.
If you put strained and cool bacon grease in a container that won’t let air in, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 6 months or the freezer for at least a year.
How to Make Crispy Bacon Bits the EASY Way!
FAQ
How to use store-bought bacon bits?
Why is my bacon chewy instead of crispy?
How do you make your own bacon bits?
Here’s how to make your own bacon bits: STEP 1 | Chop the bacon. Cut the bacon strips in 1/4 to 1/2 inch squares, depending on the size you want. Pro tip: If you cut the fatty part and lean part separately, you can make sure both types are cooked evenly. STEP 2 | Prepare to cook.
Are crispy bacon bits good?
Crispy bacon bits are a versatile and flavorful addition to SO many dishes! I love sprinkling them on everything from dips to salads to baked potatoes to popcorn to appetizers and beyond. Compared to many store-bought bacon bits, you are going to love these homemade bacon morsels because they offer the best taste, quality, and CRUNCH!
Can bacon bits be frozen?
Remove homemade bacon bits from pan with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Allow crispy bacon bits to cool completely. Transfer to an airtight jar or container and store in the fridge for up to a week. Or, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 1 month. How much bacon bits equal a slice of bacon?
How do you store bacon bits?
Savory Bacon Bits – Brush the slices of bacon with soy sauce before chopping and cooking for a savory, Asian-inspired flavor. Make sure the bacon bits are completely drained of excess grease and cooled. Then transfer them into an airtight container or jar and store in the refrigerator.
How do you make bacon bits from frozen Bacon?
How to make bacon bits from frozen bacon in just 5 minutes. Allow package of frozen bacon to thaw on the counter for ~10 minutes. Remove bacon from package, keeping the frozen slices stacked like they were in the package. Slice entire pack of bacon horizontally into long, thin strips—about ¼ inch wide. Heat a pan over medium heat.
Are bacon bits good for sprinkling?
This Bacon Bits recipe is quick, easy, and makes crispy bacon bits that add loads of flavor to so many different dishes. Bacon Bits are perfect for sprinkling over eggs, salads, soups, baked potatoes, casseroles, and so much more. As if you needed any more reasons to make bacon bits, you’ll also be left with bacon grease to use for later.