Can I Freeze Cooked Bacon Bits? The Complete Guide

Bacon bits are a beloved topping for salads, baked potatoes, soups, and more. Their smoky, salty, crunchy flavor takes dishes from bland to bold in an instant. But bacon bits don’t last forever, and sometimes you’re left with more than you can use before they go bad. What’s a bacon lover to do?

The good news is that freezing cooked bacon bits is absolutely possible. In fact, it’s one of the best ways to make your bacon bits last longer and avoid waste. By freezing bacon bits properly, you can keep them fresh for up to six months.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about freezing cooked bacon bits. We’ll discuss:

• Why freeze bacon bits?
• How to freeze bacon bits (step-by-step)
• Thawing and using frozen bacon bits
• Storage times and tips
• Common questions

Let’s start at the beginning – why freeze bacon bits in the first place?

Why Freeze Bacon Bits?

There are a few key reasons why freezing cooked bacon bits is a smart idea

1. Extends Shelf Life

Like most foods, bacon bits will eventually go bad. The oils in the bacon can go rancid over time Bacteria also starts to grow, causing spoilage. By freezing bacon bits, you halt this process Frozen foods don’t undergo the same deterioration as fresh foods at room temperature.

Freezing gives you a window of about 6 months to use up bacon bits before they degrade in quality. Without freezing, bacon bits may only last 1-2 weeks max in the fridge.

2. Prevents Waste

It’s frustrating to toss unused bacon bits when they go off. Freezing lets you save and store any extras you can’t use right away, so nothing gets wasted.

Got leftover bits from a salad or potato topping? Toss ’em in the freezer instead of the trash. Bought or made too many bits? Freeze the excess. Freezing gives you time to use them later.

3. Always Have Them on Hand

Bacon bits are useful to have around. They add easy flavor to so many dishes. But fresh bits run out quickly. By freezing a stash, you always have bacon bits ready when you need them.

No more realizing you’re out when prepping a salad or baked potato. Just defrost what you need. Frozen bits mean you’ve got a bacon bit supply 24/7.

4. Buy and Make in Bulk

Freezing also allows you to buy bacon bits in bulk when they go on sale. Or to make big batches of homemade bits and freeze in portions.

You save money buying in bulk. And homemade bits are cheaper than store-bought. Freezing lets you take advantage of these savings without the risk of waste from buying more than you need.

Now that you know why it makes sense to freeze bacon bits, let’s look at how to do it right.

How to Freeze Bacon Bits

Freezing cooked bacon bits is easy. There are just a few steps:

1. Start with Fully Cooked Bits

First, make sure your bacon bits are already cooked until crispy before freezing. Raw bacon won’t freeze well and will come out soggy.

You can use store-bought pre-cooked bacon bits. Or make your own by baking bacon slices until crisp, then chopping them into bits.

Let homemade bits cool completely before freezing so no moisture gets trapped in the freezer.

2. Spread Out on a Sheet Pan

Next, spread your bacon bits out on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Try to avoid overlapping.

Putting in a single layer prevents clumping when frozen, so bits don’t freeze together in a solid mass.

3. Freeze Until Solid

Now pop the sheet pan in the freezer. Freeze until the bits are completely hard and solid, about 1-2 hours.

Quick freezing prevents large ice crystals from forming. Smaller ice crystals do less damage to the bits’ texture.

4. Transfer to Airtight Container

Once frozen solid, transfer the bacon bits to an airtight freezer bag or container.

Press out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Then seal and label with the date.

5. Return to Freezer

Lastly, return the sealed bacon bits to the freezer right away. They’ll keep for up to 6 months frozen.

And that’s it! With these simple steps, your bacon bits are frozen for freshness and ready to use anytime.

Thawing and Using Frozen Bacon Bits

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen bacon bits, thawing and using them is easy. Here are some tips:

• Thaw in fridge overnight: For best flavor and food safety, thaw frozen bits slowly in the fridge. This prevents moisture loss.

• Microwave in 10 second bursts: For quicker thawing, use the defrost setting or 10 second bursts in the microwave. Stop and stir periodically.

• Use immediately: Once thawed, use bacon bits within a week. Don’t refreeze after thawing.

• Flavor may fade: Thawed bits may lose a little crunch and flavor vs. fresh. But they’ll still taste great on salads, potatoes, in dips, etc.

• Add to cold dishes: For best texture, add thawed bacon bits to cold dishes like salad or yogurt rather than hot foods.

• Store in fridge: Keep thawed bits refrigerated in an airtight container and use within 5-7 days for best freshness.

Follow these tips, and your frozen bacon bits will thaw beautifully and lend crave-worthy flavor to meals and sides!

Storage Times and Tips

To get the most out of your frozen bacon bits, keep these storage guidelines in mind:

• Freeze for up to 6 months: Bacon bits maintain best quality frozen for no more than 6 months. Freeze for longer at your own risk.

• Store at 0°F or below: Colder freezer temps (0°F or below) extend shelf life better than warmer freezers.

• Use freezer bags or airtight containers: Prevent freezer burn by using high-quality freezer bags or containers. Remove air before sealing.

• Label with date: Mark packages with the freeze date so you know how old they are. Use oldest bits first.

• No refreezing: Don’t refreeze thawed bacon bits. Refreezing causes more moisture loss.

Follow these tips, and your frozen bacon bits will stay fresh and delicious for months!

Common Questions

Freezing bacon bits is easy, but you may still have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common queries:

How long do frozen bacon bits last? Properly stored in air-tight packing and very cold freezer temperatures (0°F or below), bacon bits will maintain best quality for 6 months frozen. They remain safe beyond 6 months but may suffer more flavor and texture loss.

Can you freeze bacon bits twice? It’s not recommended. Refreezing after thawing causes more moisture loss, damaging texture and taste. Freeze once for best quality.

Can you freeze homemade bacon bits? Absolutely! Homemade bits freeze just as well as store-bought. Prepare them the same way – cook until crisp, cool, and freeze in a single layer before transferring to airtight containers.

What’s the best way to thaw frozen bacon bits? For food safety and moisture retention, thaw bacon bits slowly overnight in the refrigerator. Or use the microwave defrost setting if quicker thawing is needed.

How do you store thawed bacon bits? Keep thawed bacon bits refrigerated in a sealed container and use within 5-7 days for best freshness and flavor. Do not refreeze thawed bacon bits.

Get Crunchy Again!

Now you know that freezing cooked bacon bits is totally possible – and smart! Use this complete guide to freeze bits properly, thaw and use them deliciously, and keep your bacon bit supply always stocked.

With the power of the freezer, you can ensure fresh, crunchy, flavor-packed bacon bits anytime a recipe calls. So go ahead – make a big batch and freeze those bits for salad, potato, soup, and sandwich-topping success!