Go Back
–+ servings
A wire cooking rack filled with cooked bacon that's been candied with brown sugar and crushed chilies.

Billionaire Bacon

Print Recipe
This Billionaire Bacon recipe is a spicy and sweet candied bacon recipe that is perfect for burgers, sandwiches, salads, or even snacking!
Course Breakfast, Condiments
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 290
Author Dorothy Bigelow

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 slices bacon regular, not thick or thin cut*
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • ½-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (chile flakes)

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.
    A baking sheet filled with bacon slices.
  • Add the brown sugar, black pepper, and crushed chile flakes to a small bowl. Stir well.
    A small bowl with brown sugar, crushed chilies, and black pepper.
  • Sprinkle ⅔ of the brown sugar mixture carefully on top of the bacon slices.
    A baking sheet filled with bacon that has been sprinkled with brown sugar.
  • 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 mixture.
    A pair of tongs flipping bacon on a baking sheet.
  • Return to the oven to cook for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the bacon slices to cool on the baking rack for 4-5 minutes.
    A baking sheet filled with cooked bacon that's crispy and coated with brown sugar.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

*For thick cut bacon, add 2-3 minutes per side. For thin bacon, reduce the time by 1-2 minutes per side. 
Storage: Allow the bacon to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Recrisp in the oven (for the best results), or reheat in the microwave. 
Without a wire rack: You can bake the bacon on a parchment lined baking sheet, but it does not crisp up like if you were to use a raised baking rack. It will be softer, pliable, and more "glazed." I tested both methods several times and the wire baking rack was superior. 
Air fryer: Work in a half batch (4 slices) of bacon, and add all of the brown sugar mixture on top of the slices. Do not flip. Cook at 350ºF (177ºC) for 8-10 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 2slices | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 303mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 93IU | Vitamin C: 0.003mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.5mg