Can you cook frozen bacon? Why yes, you can. But what’s the best way to cook frozen bacon? There are several methods to choose from depending on the tools and cooking methods you have available to you. We’ll give step by step instructions for each cooking method, tell you how to effectively defrost your bacon, and give instructions for how to freeze bacon should you desire.
How To Cook Bacon from Frozen
Can you cook frozen bacon? The answer is yes. But what is the best method to use to cook it? That depends on personal preference, the timeframe you need to have it done, as well as options you have available to you.
Let’s take a look at some possibilities for the best methods for cooking frozen bacon.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon in the Oven
Can you cook frozen bacon in the oven? Yes, in fact, cooking bacon in the oven is likely our favorite way to cook bacon. It allows for the most hands off method and the least amount of clean up afterwards.
For the best results, we don’t recommend throwing the block of frozen bacon on a cooking sheet and letting it roll. You’ll end up with crispy bacon around the edge and flabby bacon that’s not done in the middle.
To cook frozen bacon in the oven:
- Thaw it out using one of the suggested methods below for defrosting bacon. If you’re unable to thaw it first, you can place the whole chunk of frozen bacon on the baking sheet, but you’ll want to pull the strips apart as they begin to thaw during the cooking process.
- Then cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Turn the bacon over halfway through.
- It typically takes about 20 minutes to cook one pound of bacon at 400F degrees.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon in a Skillet
Can you cook frozen bacon in a skillet? Yes, in fact, cooking bacon in the skillet is another of our favorite ways to cook bacon.
For the best results, we don’t recommend throwing the block of frozen bacon in the skillet and letting it go. Although you can. You’ll end up with crispy bacon around the edge and flabby bacon that’s not done in the middle.
To cook frozen bacon in a skillet:
- Thaw it out using one of the suggested methods below for defrosting bacon. If you’re unable to thaw it first, you can place the whole chunk of frozen bacon in the skillet, but you’ll want to pull the strips apart as they begin to thaw during the cooking process.
- Turn the bacon as it cooks.
- It typically takes about 20 minutes to cook one pound of bacon at 400F degrees.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and allow it to cool. Pat with a paper towel to remove excess grease.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon in Air Fryer
Can you cook frozen bacon in air fryer? Yes, it’s feasible to cook bacon whether frozen or thawed in the air fryer.
You can either defrost the bacon first using one of our thawing methods listed below, or you can thaw it in the air fryer. Our instructions below include thawing it in the air fryer.
To cook frozen bacon in the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer if needed. We recommend using 350F degrees.
- Place your frozen bacon in the air fryer for about 5 minutes to thaw it.
- Pull the bacon apart so that it’s in a single layer.
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 400F degrees and cook the bacon for about 8-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through.
How to Cook Frozen Bacon in Microwave
Can you cook frozen bacon in the microwave? Yes, we suppose you can cook frozen bacon in the microwave, but why would you want to, especially if you have other options?
Meat cooked in the microwave doesn’t have the same quality as meat cooked using other methods.
Bacon cooked in the microwave turns out flabby, squishy, and pretty much gross. We don’t include step-by-step instructions for cooking bacon in the microwave because we don’t recommend it.
Below in the defrosting bacon section, we give step-by-step instructions for how to thaw bacon in the microwave if needed.
Can You Cook Frozen Bacon in an Instant Pot?
Yes, but it will take longer to cook it and achieve the desired crispiness. When you have frozen bacon, it’s generally better to just thaw it first and then cook it however you’d like.
How to Defrost Bacon
Just as there are many ways to cook bacon, there are also many ways to thaw bacon. We’ll give step-by-step instructions for some of the best methods for thawing bacon slowly and thawing bacon quickly.
Thaw in the Refrigerator
Thawing bacon in the refrigerator is the best method for thawing bacon slowly.
To do this, simply transfer the bacon from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to sit there overnight, or up to 24 hours. Thawing bacon in the refrigerator is the safest way for food safety reasons to defrost it.
Thaw in Cold Water
Thawing bacon in cold water can help it to thaw in about 30 minutes. Just place your sealed package of bacon in a bowl of cold water and allow it to soak there for about a half hour.
Thaw in Hot Water
Thawing bacon in hot water is the best method for thawing bacon quickly. To thaw bacon in hot water, place the sealed package of bacon under hot tap water until it’s defrosted.
This should only take a few minutes. Then you can pull apart the slices and cook as desired.
How to Defrost Bacon in the Oven
Thawing bacon in the oven is a good way to defrost it, especially if you’re planning to cook it in the oven too. It’s kind of like one and done.
To defrost bacon in the oven, place it on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Add the blob of frozen bacon and cook until the bacon begins to thaw.
As it thaws, pull the bacon apart, creating a single layer. And proceed with cooking as normal.
How to Thaw Bacon in a Skillet
When thawing frozen bacon in a skillet, just put the whole chunk of bacon in the skillet, then pull the slices apart as they begin to thaw.
You’ll want to end up with a single layer of bacon to cook for the crispiest bacon giving the best results.
Defrost in the Microwave
Thawing bacon in the microwave can be used to thaw bacon quickly, if you’re in a pinch and you don’t have other options. We don’t recommend this method because the results of cooked meat in the microwave can be nasty.
To defrost bacon in the microwave, cook it for 30 seconds, flip it over, and defrost it for 30 more seconds.
How to Cook Bacon from Fresh
Cooking bacon from fresh is the same as cooking bacon after it’s been defrosted. You can cook fresh bacon in the skillet, the oven, air fryer, or whatever your favorite method.
Cooking fresh bacon speeds up the process so that some of the cook time can be decreased compared to cooking bacon from a frozen state.
The Best Method for Freezing Bacon
You can freeze bacon from a fresh state or from a cooked state. Either way will help to lengthen the shelf life and allow it to be saved for later.
From Fresh. When freezing bacon from fresh, you can leave it sealed right in the store packaging if it’s not yet been opened. This is the best method for freezing grocery store bacon.
However, if the package has been opened, you’ll want to transfer the bacon to a zipped freezer bag, removing any excess air for storage. Bacon can be frozen for up to 3 months without compromising quality.
From Cooked. When freezing bacon after it’s been cooked, pat the bacon with a paper towel to remove any excess grease. Then transfer it to a zipped freezer bag and date the bag with the date it is being frozen. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Can you cook frozen bacon and refreeze? Yes, as long as safe food handling guidelines are followed, you can refreeze frozen bacon that’s been cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are frequently asked questions for can you cook frozen bacon. If you have a question that’s not answered here, feel free to drop it in the comments box below and we’ll be happy to answer it.
How to cook turkey bacon in the oven?
Cooking turkey bacon in the oven is similar to cooking pork bacon. When cooking bacon in the oven, we recommend using a baking sheet that has a bit of a lip around the edge, so the grease doesn’t roll off.
Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier clean up. Follow the package instructions for the cooking time and temperature.
Cooking thick bacon in the oven?
To cook thick bacon in the oven, you’ll likely need to add a few extra minutes of cook time compared to cooking thick bacon. However, that depends on your desired doneness. Just follow the package instructions for the best results.
Is baking bacon better than frying?
Baking bacon is considered healthier than frying it in some cases. The reasoning is when baking bacon, the grease can potentially roll off the meat as compared to frying it, the bacon in essence floats in the grease.
How long to bake bacon in the oven?
The amount of time it takes to bake bacon in the oven varies depending on the cut of bacon and the desired doneness. However, the average time to bake bacon in the oven is about 20 minutes at 400F degrees.
How to cook crispy bacon?
Crispy bacon is our favorite way to cook bacon. To achieve crispy bacon, your bacon needs to have a fair amount of fat content. And you’ll want to cook it to perfection.
This means cooking it past the point of being flabby, but not allowing it to burn. It is somewhat a work of art.
Can you cook frozen bacon wrapped scallops in an air fryer?
Yes, bacon wrapped scallops are a favorite. Who doesn’t like anything wrapped in bacon? Cooking bacon wrapped anything generally turns out well in an air fryer.
Can you cook frozen bacon in a Ninja Foodi?
We’ve not personally tried it, but there are rave reviews saying how delicious it is to cook bacon even from frozen in the Ninja Foodi.
Cook the bacon at 350F degrees for 3-4 minutes until thawed just enough to pull the slices apart. Then, cook for 5 minutes at 400F degrees.
Resources:
Can you cook frozen bacon on grill?
How long does bacon last in the fridge?
How to smoke bacon?
Delicious Bacon Recipes:
Bacon Egg McGriddle Copycat
Amazing Avocado Bacon Burger
Delicious Mushroom Bacon Swiss Burger
Asparagus Wrapped in Bacon
Green Bean Bundles
How To Cook Frozen Bacon
Ingredients
- frozen bacon
Instructions
To cook frozen bacon in the oven:
- Thaw it out using one of the suggested methods below for defrosting bacon. If you’re unable to thaw it first, you can place the whole chunk of frozen bacon on the baking sheet, but you’ll want to pull the strips apart as they begin to thaw during the cooking process.
- Then cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Place the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Turn the bacon over halfway through.
- It typically takes about 20 minutes to cook one pound of bacon at 400F degrees.
To cook frozen bacon in a skillet:
- Thaw it out using one of the suggested methods below for defrosting bacon. If you’re unable to thaw it first, you can place the whole chunk of frozen bacon in the skillet, but you’ll want to pull the strips apart as they begin to thaw during the cooking process.
- Turn the bacon as it cooks.
- It typically takes about 20 minutes to cook one pound of bacon at 400F degrees.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet and allow it to cool. Pat with a paper towel to remove excess grease.
To cook frozen bacon in the air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer if needed. We recommend using 350F degrees.
- Place your frozen bacon in the air fryer for about 5 minutes to thaw it.
- Pull the bacon apart so that it’s in a single layer.
- Increase the air fryer temperature to 400F degrees and cook the bacon for about 8-10 minutes, flipping it over halfway through.
To cook frozen bacon in an Instant Pot:
- It will take longer to cook it and achieve the desired crispiness. When you have frozen bacon, it’s generally better to just thaw it first and then cook it however you’d like.
Notes
Yes, we suppose you can cook frozen bacon in the microwave, but why would you want to, especially if you have other options? Meat cooked in the microwave doesn’t have the same quality as meat cooked using other methods. Bacon cooked in the microwave turns out flabby, squishy, and pretty much gross. We don’t include step-by-step instructions for cooking bacon in the microwave because we don’t recommend it.
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