For those embracing a ketogenic lifestyle, bacon isn't just a breakfast staple; it's a versatile ingredient that adds flavor and healthy fats to a variety of dishes. This guide provides a collection of keto-friendly bacon recipes, from savory breakfasts to satisfying dinners and snacks, all designed to keep you in ketosis while enjoying the irresistible taste of bacon.
Mastering the Basics: Bacon and Eggs
No discussion of bacon is complete without mentioning eggs. However, achieving bacon and egg perfection requires attention to detail.
Perfect Oven-Cooked Bacon
Forget pan-frying; the oven is the key to crispy, evenly cooked bacon.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lay the bacon slices on a cookie sheet.
- Place the sheet in the preheated oven.
- Wait 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy. Remove and enjoy.
The Secret to Scrambled Eggs
Many find eggs challenging due to their tendency to overcook. Here's how to make perfect scrambled eggs:
- Ensure your eggs are at room temperature.
- In a bowl, lightly whisk the eggs with a splash of cream. The mixture should still have streaks of egg white.
- Heat a pan on medium-low and melt butter.
- Pour in the egg mixture. Let it set on the bottom without stirring.
- Gently stir with a spatula in a figure-eight pattern, minimizing fussing.
- Remove from the pan when the eggs are slightly runny, as they will continue to cook.
Keto Breakfasts with Bacon
Start your day right with these flavorful and low-carb bacon-centric breakfasts.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Keto Bacon and Egg Crescent Rolls
These rolls offer a delightful twist on a classic breakfast pastry, made keto-friendly with almond flour and cheese.
Ingredients:
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cream cheese
- Almond flour
- Baking powder
- Egg white
- Eggs
- Cream cheese (for the filling)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Prepare the filling: Cook bacon slices and cut them in half. Soft scramble eggs with cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper.
- Make the dough: Microwave mozzarella and cream cheese until melted. Combine almond flour and baking powder in a separate bowl. Mix the melted cheeses with the almond flour, then add a beaten egg white. Knead the dough until smooth, adding more almond flour if needed.
- Assemble the rolls: Roll the dough between two silicone baking sheets into a thin rectangle. Cut into six triangles. Place a spoonful of the egg mixture and half a bacon slice on the wide end of each triangle.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake until golden brown.
These rolls are excellent for meal prep, reheating well in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
Keto Bacon Bread
This savory bread is a delicious, gluten-free option that pairs perfectly with yogurt, kefir, or sour cream dip.
Ingredients:
- Almond flour
- Coconut flour
- Baking powder
- Salt and pepper
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Finely sliced bacon
- Cream cheese
Instructions:
- Mix almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add shredded cheddar cheese, sliced bacon, and cream cheese.
- Mix until a dough forms.
- Press the dough onto parchment paper and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-20 minutes, or until baked.
- Let it rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving.
This bread can be cut into various shapes, making it a fun and portable option for picnics or travel.
Spinach Bacon and Egg Muffins
These muffins are a convenient and protein-packed breakfast or snack option.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Spinach
- Bacon
- Cheese
Instructions:
- Combine eggs, spinach, and bacon.
- Pour the mixture into muffin tins.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake until set.
Sausage Bacon Egg Bites
Similar to the muffins, these egg bites are a great make-ahead option for busy mornings.
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Cheese
Instructions:
- Combine eggs, cooked sausage, and bacon.
- Pour the mixture into muffin tins.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake until set.
Keto Snacks and Appetizers with Bacon
Bacon elevates these low-carb snacks and appetizers, making them perfect for parties or a quick bite.
Crispy Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
This simple recipe transforms asparagus into a bacon-lover's dream. The key is to achieve crispy bacon, which complements the tender asparagus perfectly.
Ingredients:
- Asparagus spears
- Bacon slices
Instructions:
- Wrap each asparagus spear with a bacon slice.
- Bake until the bacon is crispy and the asparagus is tender.
Jalapeno Cheese Crisps
These crisps are a spicy and cheesy snack that's incredibly easy to make with just three main ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Cheese slices
- Jalapeño peppers
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Pile cheese, jalapeños, and bacon on a baking sheet.
- Bake until crispy.
Low Carb Bacon Wrapped Meatballs
These meatballs are a flavorful and filling snack or appetizer, perfect with a low-carb BBQ sauce.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork
- Parmesan cheese
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Combine ground beef, ground pork, and parmesan cheese.
- Wrap each meatball with bacon.
- Bake until the bacon is cooked and the meatballs are done.
BLT Dip
Enjoy the flavors of a BLT sandwich in dip form, perfect for serving with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients:
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese
- Diced bacon
- Tomatoes
- Lettuce
Instructions:
- Combine mayo, sour cream, and cream cheese.
- Add diced bacon, tomatoes, and lettuce.
- Serve with vegetables for dipping.
Bacon Wrapped Cheese Sticks
This is perhaps the easiest keto snack imaginable, requiring only two ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Bacon slices
Instructions:
- Wrap each cheese stick with bacon.
- Fry in olive oil until the bacon is cooked to your desired crispness.
Keto Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
These taquitos are a flavorful and easy-to-make snack with just a few ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Mozzarella cheese slices
- Cooked chicken
- Bacon
- Ranch dressing
- Green onions
Instructions:
- Combine chicken, bacon, ranch dressing, and green onions.
- Bake mozzarella slices on a silicone baking sheet until the edges are browned and the cheese is bubbly.
- Place the chicken mixture on the cheese slices and roll them up.
Keto Jalapeno Poppers
These poppers are a guaranteed hit, combining the spiciness of jalapeños with the creamy richness of cheese and the smoky flavor of bacon.
Ingredients:
- Jalapeños
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Cut jalapeños in half and remove seeds.
- Fill with a mixture of cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
- Wrap with bacon.
- Bake until the bacon is crispy.
Keto Dinners with Bacon
These bacon-infused dinner recipes will satisfy your cravings while keeping you on track with your keto goals.
Low Carb Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
This casserole captures the essence of a bacon cheeseburger without the bun, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
- Ground beef
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Tomato sauce
- Onion
- Garlic
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef with onion and garlic.
- Add tomato sauce and simmer.
- Layer the beef mixture, bacon, and cheese in a casserole dish.
- Bake until bubbly and the cheese is melted.
Keto Bacon Ranch Chicken
This dish uses simple ingredients for a family-friendly meal with minimal carbs.
Ingredients:
- Cooked shredded chicken
- Frozen broccoli
- Chicken broth
- Cream cheese
- Low carb ranch dressing seasoning mix
- Cheese
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Combine shredded chicken, frozen broccoli, chicken broth, cream cheese, and ranch dressing seasoning.
- Top with cheese and bacon.
- Bake until heated through and the cheese is melted.
Bacon Wrapped Cod
Even those who aren't fond of fish will appreciate the flavor of this dish, where bacon adds a smoky richness to the mild cod.
Ingredients:
- Cod fillets
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Wrap each cod fillet with bacon.
- Bake until the cod is cooked through and the bacon is crispy.
Keto Fried Cabbage with Bacon
This dish is a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy cabbage, elevated by the addition of bacon.
Ingredients:
- Cabbage
- Bacon
- Onion
- Chicken broth
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Bacon grease
Instructions:
- Fry bacon in a skillet until cooked. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving bacon grease in the pan.
- Sauté onion in the bacon grease.
- Add cabbage, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer until the cabbage reaches your desired tenderness.
- Crumble the cooked bacon over the top before serving.
This can be served as a side dish or a standalone meal.
Keto Pizza Chicken
This one-pot dinner roasts all your favorite pizza toppings on pan-fried chicken thighs.
Ingredients:
- Chicken thighs
- Pizza sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni
- Bacon
- Other desired pizza toppings
Instructions:
- Pan-fry chicken thighs until cooked through.
- Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, bacon, and other toppings.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Keto Side Dishes with Bacon
Add these bacon-enhanced side dishes to your keto meal plan for extra flavor and satisfaction.
Bacon Au Gratin Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash is a keto staple, and this recipe adds a creamy, cheesy sauce and bacon for a delicious twist.
Ingredients:
- Spaghetti squash
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Cook spaghetti squash until tender.
- Mix yogurt and cheese.
- Combine the squash with the cheese mixture and bacon.
- Bake until bubbly and golden brown.
Keto Twice Baked Loaded Mashed Cauliflower
This recipe transforms mashed cauliflower into a decadent side dish reminiscent of twice-baked potatoes.
Ingredients:
- Cauliflower
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Bacon
- Sour cream
- Chives
Instructions:
- Steam or boil cauliflower until tender.
- Mash with butter and cream cheese.
- Mix in cheddar cheese, bacon, sour cream, and chives.
- Spoon the mixture back into the cauliflower "shells" or a baking dish.
- Bake until heated through and lightly browned.
Keto Dessert with Bacon
Yes, even desserts can benefit from bacon! This recipe combines the savory flavor of bacon with the sweetness of maple syrup for a unique treat.
Low Carb Maple Bacon Crack
This dessert uses a mozzarella-based dough, molasses, and maple extract to recreate the flavors of traditional maple bacon crack without the carbs.
Ingredients:
- Mozzarella cheese
- Almond flour
- Molasses
- Maple extract
- Bacon
Instructions:
- Combine mozzarella cheese and almond flour to create a dough.
- Add molasses and maple extract for flavor.
- Top with bacon.
- Bake until golden brown.