How to Make Homemade Bacon Bits
Homemade Bacon Bits are super easy to make at home and way better tasting than store-bought! You can add them to salads, soups, wraps, and more! I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and this is hands down the BEST way to make bacon bits yourself.
★★★★★
Anita says:
“Just tried your bacon bits recipe. This is great. I always hated to make homemade bacon bits. But not anymore!”
The Perfect Topping for Soups, Salads, and Baked Potatoes
If you’re still buying bacon bits from the store, please stop.They have a weirdly soft texture, are kind of expensive, and sometimes the “bacon bits” you bought are really just bacon flavored bits. What the heck??
Making bacon bits yourself is so much better — in taste, texture, and ingredients. As a bonus, they’re a breeze to make!
Here’s why you’re going to love these homemade bacon bits:
✔ Just One Ingredient: All you need is thick-cut bacon to make these flavorful, crispy crumbles. No extra ingredients, no fuss!
✔ Easy to Make in Batches: Cook once and store extras in the fridge or freezer for quick, ready-to-use bacon crumbles anytime!
✔ So Much Better Than Store-Bought: Freshly made bacon bits are richer, crispier, and free from additives or preservatives.
Enjoy!
-Katie
The Best Type of Bacon to Use
This simple recipe requires just one ingredient: thick-cut bacon. Seriously, that’s it!
For the best flavor, choose nitrate-free bacon to avoid extra preservatives and chemicals. Check the ingredient label to ensure it’s free from additives — these options are usually clearly marked.
How to Make Bacon Bits Yourself
- Firm up the bacon by freezing it for 30 minutes. This makes slicing it into tiny crumbles so much easier. (And if your bacon is already frozen, thaw it ⅔ of the way.)
- Stack and slice. You’ll first want to cut thin strips, then slice crosswise into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat a cast iron pan. Preheating the pan over medium-high heat encourages crisping and caramelization right away.
- Bake at 425ºF. I prefer baking the bacon bits rather than pan frying because the oven conducts heat more evenly which makes each crumble nice and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels. Bacon renders quite a bit of fat, which you want to remove before serving.
The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe for pan-fried bacon bits. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
Recipe Tips
- Partially frozen bacon is easier to slice. I recommend starting with partially frozen bacon or popping the bacon in the freezer for about 30 minutes before you start cutting the bacon.
- Cut the bacon as uniformly as possibly. This will allow for even cooking time across all of the bacon. I like to cut mine in about 1/2 inch dices.
- Don’t add oil to the skillet. Bacon is naturally quite fatty, and as it heats up in the skillet it’ll release all that fat, which in turn will prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan.
Ways to Use Bacon Bits
These are the best bacon bits because they’re easy to make and can be used in all kinds of dishes! Here are a few simple ideas:
- add to scrambled eggs or omelets
- use as a topping when serving baked potatoes
- sauté fresh vegetables and toss with bacon bits
- stir into three cheese mac and cheese
- add bacon pieces to fresh salads
- make a caramelized onion and bacon pizza
- use in cheese and bacon scones
- top your favorite soups (like this roasted cauliflower soup)
Recipes to Make with Bacon Bits
Want even more ideas? Browse my Bacon Recipe Collection for more delicious ways to cook with bacon!
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How to Make Bacon Bits
Just slice, bake, and stir until golden and crunchy! Homemade bacon bits are perfect for salads, soups, baked potatoes, and more. Make a big batch and store extras in the fridge or freezer so you always have some on hand!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Thick Cut Bacon (turkey bacon works too)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
- If the bacon is frozen, thaw it about 2/3 of the way. If it isn’t frozen, pop it in the freezer for about 30 minutes. Either way, the bacon should be very cold and a little firmer than straight out of the refrigerator, but you don’t necessarily want it icy. This will make the bacon easier to cut.
- Stack the bacon strips directly on top of one another in piles that are thin enough that your knife can cut through. Slice the strips in half lengthwise so they are thinner. Then, cut horizontally into chunks (remember they will shrink down when they cook).
- Place the cut bits into a cast iron pan. Cook for just a couple of minutes over medium high heat on the stove to heat the pan and separate any chunks of bacon.
- Transfer the cast iron pan to the oven and bake at 425ºF for 25 – 30 minutes. Check every 5-7 minutes or so and give the pan a stir.
- Drain on paper towels to remove any excess grease, then enjoy!
Notes
Uniform Pieces = Even Cooking: Aim for ½-inch dice to ensure crispy, evenly cooked bacon bits.
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Freezing: Store in a zip-top freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1/8 lb.Amount Per Serving: Calories: 265Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 955mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 19g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Try Making Bacon Bits at Home!
Next time you need crispy bacon crumbles for a recipe, skip the store-bought version and make your own!
Did you think they were so much better than packaged bacon pieces? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts—your review helps others decide if they should give this easy recipe a try, and it makes my day!
On Instagram? I’d love to see what you made with them! Tag me @goodlifeeats and use #goodlifeeatsrecipes so I can check it out!
David Haag says
I am a 73 old widower. Connie passed away 3 years ago. I am learning, thanks to those that share, how to feed myself. I never cared much for store-bought Bacon Bits. Since I am male, I opted for your simple solution. However, I was a little concerned about the foam that formed about the 18-minute mark. Then I realized more bacon grease for me. The time between stirring the bacon was well spent, knife sharping, seasoning cutting boards, and general cleanup. Thank you for a well-spent kitchen event. The bacon bits are a welcome tasty treat.
I do not do Instagram, so no photos, sorry.
Katie says
Hi David, I am so glad that this was helpful for you! Thanks for taking the time to let me know about your experience. Best of luck in the kitchen!
Anita says
Just tried your bacon bits recipe. This is great. I always hated to make homemade bacon bits. But not anymore. Thanks for your tip. Quick and easy. And tips on storing them
Katie says
You’re welcome! I’m glad it was helpful!
Allison says
Yes, a very worthy tip to share! What a great idea. Totally trying this for lunch today!