Learn how to make real bacon bits at home in easy and simple steps. Homemade bacon crumbles is ridiculously easy to make, it is smoky, crispy and delicious. The versatility of this little gem is endless.
It is great with baked potatoes, toppings on salad, pasta, soups and so much more
Bacon bits recipe
Bacon rumbles also known as bacon bits are a versatile condiment to have at hand. It is great for adding texture and additional flavor to your recipes. Ditch store-bought and learn how to make the real thing at home from scratch in easy steps.
This is a one-step recipe, cook bacon pieces on the stovetop or oven until golden brown and crispy. I timed this process and it only takes about 10 minutes to cook on the stovetop which is why it is my preferred method as opposed to cooking it in the oven.
Today you will learn how to make bacon crumbles on the stovetop, in the oven, and air fryer. Let’s get on with it as it is a pretty easy one.
Related post: How to cook ground beef and air fryer bacon.
Why you should make your own at home from scratch
Quick and Easy
Gluten-free: make sure to read the bacon ingredients that no funny ingredients is added to it.
Smoky and delicious: it is important to use smoky bacon for this recipe.
Made with real bacon, most popular store-bought ones are made with soya bean protein and loads of preservatives you can’t pronounce. I mean if you are not vegan or vegetarian then eat the real thing.
Economical: you save a lot of money when you make bacon bits at home, more importantly, you can control what goes into it.
Can be made ahead of time and it stores well too.
What you will need
Partially frozen Smoked bacon streaks: substitute with unsmoked bacon steaks. Freezing the bacon for a few minutes will make it easy to cut the meat into lardons.
Sharp knife
How to make bacon bits (stove top method)
Cut bacon into lardons
Heat a frying pan on medium-high heat until hot, add bacon pieces, and spread it out in the pan. Stir and cook the bacon until golden brown and crispy.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the cooked bacon and transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Leave to cool completely before storing in the fridge or freezer. Bacon crumble can be used immediately whilst hot and it can also be served warm or cold.
Oven instructions
Preheat the oven at 200C/400F then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add bacon lardons and spread them out in a single layer.
Cook in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until crispy enough to your liking stirring every 5 minutes or so.
Remove the bacon bits from the oven, transfer to a plate lined with a kitchen towel to drain excess oil. serve and enjoy!
Air fryer instructions
Line the bacon streaks in the air fryer basket making sure it is not overlapping.
Cook the bacon on 170C/340F for 10 to 12 minutes or until crispy and golden brown to your liking flipping halfway through.
Remove the bacon from the air fryer and transfer it to a kitchen paper-lined plate to drain excess oil and set aside to cook.
Break the bacon into small pieces and use as desired in recipes.
PS: do not slice the raw bacon before cooking in the fryer. The air circulating in the air fryer would blow the lardon around the basket which can cause it to burn instead of cooking and it may also pose a fire hazard.
How to use bacon bits
Serve it with your breakfast eggs, pancakes, waffles, or frittata
It is soup season, bacon bits would be a perfect topping for your soups. Here are few soup ideas you would love
- Potato corn chowder
- Instant pot beef chili
- Instant pot butternut squash soup
- Pressure cooker carrot soup
- Vegetable soup
- Creamy broccoli soup
Serve over baked potatoes or salad.
How to store cooked bacon
here is how to store cooked bacon properly
fridge: make sure it cools completely, transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: cooked bacon can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. Store in an airtight container or in a Ziploc bag.
FAQs
Do I need oil to cook bacon?
No, you do not need oil to fry bacon as bacon already has its own fat. The best bacon is the one cooked in its own fat.
Are Oscar Mayer bacon bits real bacon
Yes, according to the ingredients on the package, it is made with real pork cured with water, Hickory Smoke Flavor, and artificially flavored maple.
More how-to recipes
How to brine chicken or turkey
How to make hummus from scratch
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How To Make Bacon Bits (Bacon Crumbles)
Equipment
- Sharp knife and chopping board
Ingredients
- ½ lb Partially frozen thick cuy smoked bacon substitute with unsmoked bacon. Freezing the bacon for a few minutes will make it easy to cut the meat into lardons.
Instructions
How to make bacon bits (stove top method)
- Cut bacon into lardons
- Heat a frying pan on medium high heat until hot, add bacon pieces and spread it out in the pan. Stir and cook the bacon until golden brown and crispy.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the cooked bacon and transfer it to a paper towel lined plate to drain.
- Leave to cool completely before storing in the fridge or freezer. Bacon crumble can be used immediately whilst hot and it can also be served warm or cold.
Oven instructions
- Preheat the oven at 200C/400F then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add bacon lardons and spread them out in a single layer.
- Cook in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until crispy enough to your liking stirring every 5 minutes or so.
- Remove the bacon bits from the oven, transfer to a plate lined with kitchen towel to drain excess oil. serve and enjoy!
Air fryer instructions
- Line the bacon streaks in the air fryer basket making sure it is not overlapping.
- Cook the bacon on 170C/340F for 10 to 12 minutes or until crispy and golden brown to your liking flipping halfway through.
- Remove the bacon from the air fryer and transfer to a kitchen paper lined plate to drain excess oil and set aside to cook.
- Break the bacon into small pieces and use as desired in recipes.PS: do not slice the raw bacon before cooking in the fryer. The air circulating in the air fryer would blow the lardon around the basket which can cause it to burn instead of cooking and it may also pose a fire hazard.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
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