Bacon is a delicious and popular breakfast food that can easily be enjoyed leftover the next day. However, one of the biggest challenges with leftover bacon is that it often loses its crispy texture and becomes soggy or chewy. Thankfully, there are several tricks you can use to keep leftover bacon nice and crispy.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about keeping leftover bacon crispy:
- Store leftover bacon in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
- Place a paper towel in the storage container to absorb excess moisture.
- Refrigerate leftover bacon as soon as it has cooled.
- Reheat bacon in the oven or skillet rather than the microwave.
- Fry leftover bacon in a little oil to recrisp it.
- Bake leftover bacon on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
Proper Storage
One of the most important steps for keeping leftover bacon crispy is proper storage. As soon as your freshly cooked bacon has cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or ziplock bag. Plastic wrap can also work in a pinch. The airtight seal will prevent moisture from getting in and causing the bacon to soften.
For extra moisture protection, place a paper towel or two in the bottom of the storage container before adding the bacon. The paper towels will absorb any excess bacon grease or moisture that could compromise the crispiness of the bacon while it’s stored.
Make sure to refrigerate the leftover bacon as soon as it has cooled to room temperature. Leaving it out too long at room temp will cause the bacon to go soggy. Refrigeration will help firm it back up and preserve the crisp texture.
Reheating Methods
The way you reheat leftover bacon also makes a big difference in maintaining crispiness. Skip the microwave, as it will make the bacon rubbery and soggy. Instead, use one of these better reheating methods:
Oven
Reheating leftover bacon in the oven is one of the best ways to revive and recrisp it. Pre-heat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and arrange the bacon slices in a single layer across it. Bake for 5-10 minutes, until the bacon is heated through and slightly crisped around the edges.
Skillet
Another option is to reheat the bacon in a skillet on the stovetop. Add just a teaspoon or two of oil or bacon grease to the skillet and heat over medium. Fry the bacon slices for 1-2 minutes per side to warm them back up and get them crispy again.
Air Fryer
An air fryer is a great kitchen appliance for reheating bacon and other fried foods. Arrange the bacon slices in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 4-5 minutes, shaking halfway. The hot circulating air will crisp up the bacon nicely.
Frying for Extra Crispness
If your leftover bacon needs an extra crispy boost, try quickly pan frying it before serving. Add 1-2 teaspoons of oil or bacon fat to a skillet and heat over medium-high. Add the bacon and fry for 1-2 minutes per side until crisped and sizzling. This quick fry will also impart delicious golden bacon flavor from any browned bits in the pan.
Baking for Multiple Servings
For reheating larger amounts of leftover bacon to serve a crowd, baking is the best method. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer, making sure they aren’t overlapping. Bake at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until hot and crisp.
Cooking the bacon on a wire rack set inside the baking sheet will allow air circulation underneath and result in crisper results. The rack elevates the bacon from the grease that renders out during baking.
Fried Rice or Eggs
An easy way to use up leftover bacon is by chopping it up and mixing it into fried rice or scrambled eggs. The small bacon bits will get crispy again when fried with the rice or eggs. Just be sure your leftover bacon was already fully cooked before mixing it into any raw egg dishes.
Crispy Bacon Bits
For a crunchy, crispy bacon topping to sprinkle on salads, baked potatoes, casseroles and more, make your own bacon bits. Start by cutting cooled leftover bacon into small 1/4-inch pieces. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 375°F for 15 minutes, stirring halfway, until crisped up. Let cool and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freeze for Later
Freezing is another great way to save leftover bacon to enjoy later. Allow cooked bacon to cool completely before freezing. For freezer-friendly packages, place cooled bacon slices in a layer between sheets of parchment or wax paper. Stack the packets in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
For crumbled bacon bits, drain excess grease after cooking and transfer the chopped up bits to an airtight freezer container or bag. Remove as much air as possible and freeze. The frozen bacon bits can go straight into the skillet or oven when you need them again.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here are some tips for troubleshooting and preventing common leftover bacon problems:
Soggy Bacon
If your leftover bacon turns soggy, it likely wasn’t stored properly. Always allow bacon to fully cool before refrigerating in an airtight container. Add paper towels to the container to absorb excess moisture. Reheat using the oven or stovetop, not the microwave.
Chewy Bacon
Chewy or rubbery reheated bacon was probably cooked too long initially or reheated incorrectly. Cook bacon just until crispy, never to the point of burnishing or charring, which makes it tough. Reheat using dry heat like the oven or skillet.
Bacon Sticking
If the bacon sticks to the pan when reheating, try lining the skillet or baking sheet with parchment paper or adding a light coating of oil before cooking. Overcrowding the pan can also cause sticking, so be sure to leave space between slices.
Flavor Loss
To prevent leftover bacon from losing its signature bacon flavor, store it properly in an airtight container and avoid reheating in the microwave. Frying it up again or baking until slightly crispy around the edges will help bring that bacon flavor right back.
Shrinkage
It’s normal for bacon to shrink up slightly when reheated. Cooking it a minute or two longer than needed initially can help account for the shrinkage that will occur upon reheating so your portions are not impacted.
How Long Does Leftover Bacon Last?
Properly stored, leftover cooked bacon will last 4-7 days in the refrigerator. Freezing extends shelf life significantly, allowing cooked bacon to be frozen for up to 2 months before quality is compromised. Discard any bacon that develops an off smell or appearance.
For food safety, always refrigerate any cooked bacon within 2 hours of initial cooking. Follow the “2 hour rule” and do not leave bacon or any other perishable foods sitting out at room temperature beyond this time frame to prevent bacterial growth.
Serving Ideas for Leftover Bacon
Don’t let leftover bacon go to waste! Here are some delicious ways to use up crispy cooked bacon:
- Crumble on top of salads, baked potatoes, or pasta
- Make bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches
- Mix into scrambled eggs or omelets
- Top baked beans or chili
- Make candied bacon for a sweet and salty garnish
- Add to pizza, burgers, wraps or sandwiches
- Toss with roasted Brussels sprouts or green beans
- Use in a spinach or kale salad
- Mix into macaroni and cheese
- Add to cheese or charcuterie boards
Conclusion
With proper storage techniques, smart reheating methods, and a little creativity, you can easily keep and enjoy leftover bacon while maintaining its signature crispness. Avoid soggy, chewy leftovers by cooling bacon completely before refrigerating in an airtight container, reheating with dry heat like an oven or skillet, and frying up any less-than-crispy pieces. With a few simple tricks, you can turn leftover bacon into delicious meals, snacks, salads and more.
