REAL BACON BITS RECIPES

Steps:

• Partially freeze your package of bacon so that it holds together easier while slicing.
• Use a sharp knife and cut the frozen bacon into long strips about 1/4 inch wide.
• Turn the bacon and cut the strips into pieces also about 1/4 in wide.
• Sprinkle with pepper.
• Fry over a medium high heat until crisp.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• You can freeze this for later use by placing the bacon bits in a single layer on a cooking sheet. Once they are frozen, place them in a zip lock bag for use in recipes, salads or baked potatoes. Freezing this way allows you to be able to take out just what you need without thawing the entire bag of frozen solid bacon bits.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• 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 425 degrees F for 25 – 30 minutes. 
• Check every 5-7 minutes or so and give the pan a stir. 
• Drain on paper towels.