This easy Candied Bacon recipe is the perfect combination of salty and sweet, and is just as good for snacking as it is for layering on juicy burgers and sandwiches. Best of all? It's made with just 3 simple ingredients and ready in just 20 minutes!
This crispy bacon candy adds a special touch to your breakfast, brunch, or holiday dinners. It's sweet, it's savory, and it's absolutely delicious!
Candied bacon is not only a treat for the tastebuds, it's also SO easy to make. I adapted my oven baked bacon recipe to feature a yummy brown sugar glaze, and now we just can't get enough of this flavorful snack.
It's the perfect addition to burgers, wraps, sandwiches, salads, deviled eggs, and more. The possibilities are endless!
Why You'll Love It:
- Easy. No flipping required, and it calls for just 3 simple ingredients.
- Flavorful. Salty, sweet, umami - this recipe is the whole package!
- Crowd-pleaser. Nothing brings your breakfast or brunch up a notch like candied bacon.
Ingredients
- Bacon: I recommend using a standard width of bacon, although thick-cut can work if you prefer your bacon to be a bit more chewy.
- Brown sugar: This is what "candies" the bacon as it melts under the high heat of the oven. Regular, light, or dark brown sugar all work well for this recipe.
- Pepper: You'll need just a touch of black pepper to round out the sweetness.
Equipment
- Baking sheet: Look for a rimmed baking sheet, as you will need something that can handle some pooling bacon grease without spilling over into your oven.
- Wire baking rack: I've tested this recipe with and without the wire rack, and it works SO much better when it's made with an oven-safe baking rack.
- Parchment paper: I recommend lining the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. If you prefer, you can use aluminum foil to prepare a foil-lined baking sheet instead.
How to Make Candied Bacon
This easy recipe for Candied Bacon is reminiscent of the Southern BBQ classic known as "Pig Candy" but is a little less sweet (and a little less spicy). It's super easy to make using this oven method. Feel free to add a little maple syrup and cayenne pepper for an extra kick!
Preparing the Brown Sugar Topping
Step one: Add ½ cup of brown sugar and ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper to a bowl.
Step two: Stir well until completely combined, then set aside as you prepare the bacon.
Cooking the Bacon
Step three: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, and fit it with an oven-safe wire baking rack.
Place the bacon on top of the rack in a single layer, making sure that the slices do not overlap.
Step four: Sprinkle ⅔'s of the brown sugar and pepper mixture on top of the bacon in an even layer.
Step five: Bake in a 425ºF (218ºC) oven for 15 minutes, then flip the slices over and top with the remaining brown sugar mixture.
Step six: Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until crispy enough for your liking.
Allow the candied bacon to rest on the cooling rack for about 4-5 minutes before serving.
Extra Crispy Option
If you like your bacon extra crispy, give it one final flip and bake it for an additional 2-3 minutes. This will re-crisp the original side, and give it ultra crispy edges.
Note: depending on the thickness of your bacon, you may not want to do this extra step. Very thinly sliced bacon will get overcooked, so I only recommend it for standard or thick cut bacon.
Air Fryer Instructions
I've tested this recipe in an air fryer, and had great results. The only caveat is that the bacon cannot be flipped like it would be in the oven, and it can make a bit of sticky mess.
Even still, it tastes great and if you have a non-stick air fryer you're out of the woods!
- Preheat your air fryer to 350ºF (177ºC) for at least 3 minutes, or according to the manufacturers instructions.
- Add 4 slices of bacon in an even layer, with none overlapping.
- Combine ¼ cup of brown sugar and ⅛ teaspoon of ground black pepper in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar and pepper mixture on top of the bacon slices.
- Cook in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes, or until crisp enough for your liking.
- Transfer to a wire rack set over a plate or paper towel to cool and drain (DO NOT use paper towel alone - it will stick!).
- Serve and enjoy!
Check out my recipe for Air Fryer Candied Bacon for more detailed instructions and expert tips!
How to Store Cooked Bacon
- Refrigerator: Allow the bacon to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer the cooked pieces to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat in a microwave, air fryer, or skillet if you want your bacon hot.
- Freezer: Transfer cooled bacon to a freezer bag. Remove the excess air, seal, and label with the date and contents. Freeze for 3-6 months, and reheat from frozen.
- Re-crisping: For the best results, re-crisping your prepared bacon is recommended. I like to drain the reheated pieces on a wire rack to remove excess grease, which helps with crispiness.
- Skillet- Heat a skillet over medium heat, and warm for 30-60 seconds per side.
- Air fryer- Using the "reheat" option, heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Microwave- Heat in 30 second intervals until heated throughout.
Variations
Million-dollar bacon: Also known as Millionaire's bacon, this is a spicy version of classic candied bacon. To make it, To add ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper to ½ cup of brown sugar. Sprinkle on top of each slice of bacon and bake as directed in the recipe.
Thick-cut bacon: Add about 2-3 minutes of additional cooking time per side. It's a bit chewier, but should still be crisp.
With maple syrup: Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup to the brown sugar mixture. This makes the mixture more moist, which is more difficult to spread, so do so carefully.
Candied bacon roses: Tightly roll each strip of bacon into a rosette, and secure with overlapping toothpicks. Place on a wire rack and sprinkle with the brown sugar and black pepper mixture. Bake it in a 400ºF (204ºC) oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the desired amount of crispiness is reached.
Ways to Use Candied Bacon
- On burgers or sandwiches
- Deviled eggs
- Chopped into candied bacon bits
- Salads
- Wraps
- A salty snack
- Garnishing roasted veggies
- A savory ice cream topping
- Added to cookies
- Sprinkled on cupcakes
- To garnish a Bloody Mary cocktail
If you loved this recipe for Candied Bacon, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
How to Make Candied Bacon
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ºF (218ºC). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper, and place an oven-safe baking rack on top of the parchment paper.
- Place the bacon slices on the baking rack, keeping them evenly spaced with no overlapping.
- Add the brown sugar and black pepper to a small bowl. Stir to combine.
- Sprinkle ⅔ of the brown sugar and pepper mixture carefully on top of the bacon slices.
- Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Use a fork to flip the bacon slices over, then gently sprinkle on the remaining brown sugar and black pepper.
- Return to the oven to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until crisp enough for your liking.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bacon slices to cool on the baking rack for 4-5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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