Waking up with a craving for bacon, only to realize the package is solidly frozen? We’ve all been there. While thawing bacon takes time, you don’t actually have to wait for it to defrost before cooking it. With the right techniques, you can cook bacon directly from frozen.
Cooking frozen bacon may seem daunting, but it’s easier than you think. In this guide, I’ll share various methods for cooking bacon from frozen, along with tips to make it turn out perfectly crispy every time.
Can You Cook Frozen Bacon?
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can cook bacon straight from the freezer. While most meats require thawing before cooking bacon is small and thin enough that it can be cooked frozen. The high fat content in bacon also helps it cook up from frozen more easily.
Cooking frozen bacon does require some modifications from cooking thawed bacon. But with the right techniques, you can enjoy delicious crispy bacon without the wait.
Below I’ll go over the best practices for cooking bacon from frozen using various methods like the oven, skillet, microwave and more.
Separating Frozen Bacon Slices
If your bacon is frozen in a solid block, the first step is separating the slices so they can cook evenly. Here are some tips for separating frozen bacon:
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Use a thin metal spatula to wedge between slices and pry them apart Go slowly to avoid tearing
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For really stubborn bacon blocks, run a knife horizontally across the block to cut smaller sections that are easier to separate.
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Microwave the block for 10-20 seconds to soften it slightly before prying slices apart.
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Hold frozen bacon under cold running water briefly to soften the exterior.
Once you’ve got individual slices or smaller sections, they’re ready for cooking by your method of choice.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon in the Oven
The oven is one of the easiest ways to cook frozen bacon with even results. Here’s a simple oven-baked frozen bacon recipe:
Ingredients
- Frozen bacon slices
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Baking sheet
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
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Arrange frozen bacon slices in a single layer on the baking sheet, making sure they aren’t overlapping.
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Bake for 12-18 minutes, checking frequently, until bacon reaches desired crispness. Remove any pieces that cook faster.
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Drain bacon on paper towels before serving.
Baking yields crispy bacon every time. The preheated tray helps thaw and slowly cook the bacon. foil or parchment contains grease drips.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon in a Skillet
For crisp, classically pan-fried bacon, a skillet on the stovetop works great. Here’s how to fry frozen bacon:
Ingredients:
- Frozen bacon slices
- Skillet
- Oil or bacon grease (optional)
Instructions:
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Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of oil if desired.
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Place frozen bacon slices in the skillet, being careful not to crowd them.
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Fry for 4-6 minutes, occasionally turning slices. Once thawed, increase heat to high.
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Cook to desired crispness, removing any pieces that finish early.
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Drain on paper towels before serving.
Frying gives you hands-on control so you can better manage doneness. The bacon will thaw within minutes, letting you crisp it up.
How to Microwave Frozen Bacon
While the oven and stove are ideal, you can microwave bacon from frozen in a pinch. Here’s a quick microwave method:
Ingredients:
- Frozen bacon slices
- Microwave-safe plate
Instructions:
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Place a few frozen bacon slices on a microwave-safe plate, spaced apart.
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Microwave on 50% power for 2 minutes. Rearrange slices and microwave for 1 more minute.
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Continue microwaving in 30 second bursts, rearranging in between, until thawed and warm.
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Transfer to a skillet to quickly crisp both sides.
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Drain on paper towels before serving.
The low power thaws the bacon gradually without overcooking it. Crisping it in the skillet makes up for the microwave’s lack of browning.
How to Air Fry Frozen Bacon
Air fryers let you “fry” food with hot circulating air for quick crisping. Here’s how to air fry frozen bacon:
Ingredients:
- Frozen bacon slices
- Air fryer
Instructions:
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Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
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Place a few frozen bacon slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
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Air fry for 4-5 minutes until thawed. Flip bacon and air fry 2-3 more minutes until crisp.
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Repeat with remaining bacon, cooking it in batches.
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Drain on paper towels before serving.
The hot air crispens the thawed bacon beautifully. Air frying makes it easy to cook frozen bacon with no splattering mess.
Cooking Bacon from Frozen – Tips and Tricks
To get the best results when cooking bacon from frozen, keep these handy tips in mind:
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Use leaner bacon varieties to minimize splattering grease. Center-cut bacon works well.
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Line pans or trays to catch grease drips for easier cleanup. Foil or parchment paper works great.
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Cook in batches instead of overcrowding for even cooking.
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Pre-heat skillets, pans and air fryers before adding bacon to expedite thawing.
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Adjust heat as needed once bacon thaws, increasing heat to crisp fully.
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Cook to slightly underdone since bacon continues cooking after removal from heat.
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Blot cooked bacon on paper towels to soak up excess grease.
With the right practices, you can enjoy a hot, crispy plateful of bacon straight from the freezer!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Frozen Bacon
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about cooking frozen bacon:
Is it safe to eat frozen bacon raw?
No. Bacon is a raw meat product and must be fully cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to kill harmful bacteria. Never eat frozen or thawed raw bacon.
Does cooking bacon from frozen take longer?
It takes a few extra minutes to thaw the bacon initially before it starts crisping up and browning. But once thawed through, cooking time is about the same as thawed bacon.
Should you flatten bacon before cooking from frozen?
You can flatten or stretch slices before cooking to help them lay flatter and cook more evenly. But it’s not strictly necessary if you don’t mind slightly curved slices.
Which cooking methods work best for cooking frozen bacon?
The oven, stove and air fryer allow the most control over slowly thawing and crisping the bacon. Microwave works but crisping the bacon afterward is recommended.
Can you refreeze bacon after cooking from frozen?
It’s best not to refreeze bacon once it’s been thawed and cooked, as this can compromise quality and texture. Fully cook any leftover bacon and store it refrigerated to add to meals over the next 4-5 days.
Freezing Bacon for Later Use
When buying bacon in bulk, freezing extras for later is convenient. Here are some bacon freezing tips:
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Wrap open packages tightly in plastic wrap before freezing. Exclude as much air as possible.
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For easy portioning, separate slices with parchment or wax paper before freezing in an airtight container.
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Roll up individual slices into coils (“bacon roses”) and pack in a container or bag to prevent them sticking.
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Vacuum seal slices to remove air and prevent freezer burn.
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Label packages with contents and freeze-by date (3-6 months is ideal for bacon).
With properly frozen bacon, you’ll always have some ready to thaw and cook as needed!
Wrapping Up
As you can see, cooking crispy delicious bacon straight from frozen is totally doable with the right techniques. While most raw meats require thawing first, the thinner size of bacon slices allows them to cook from a frozen state with a little finessing.
From the ease of the oven to quick skillet frying to even air frying, you’ve got options for preparing frozen bacon anytime those cravings strike. With the tips above, you can skip the tedious waiting game of bacon thawing and enjoy sizzling hot bacon any time the mood strikes.