Easy Candied Bacon Recipe

Three-ingredient candied bacon is a slightly sweet, slightly spicy crackly crust bacon that's the perfect addition to so many recipes! Whip up a double batch of this deliciously crisp bacon with a candied texture and add to salads, sandwiches, dips, and more.

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword bacon recipes, candied bacon, game day food, how to make candied bacon, pig candy

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 25

Servings slices

Calories 144kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

12 strips bacon not too thin
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees f. Cover a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy-clean up. Place an oven-proof wired rack over the aluminum foil.
In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Place bacon on the wire rack in a single layer with no overlapping. If need be work in batches. Sprinkle lightly with the brown sugar mixture. Use the backside of a spoon to smooth it and spread it evenly. Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
Carefully remove the bacon from the oven and flip it. Sprinkle lightly with a little more brown sugar mixture. Use the backside of a spoon to smooth it and spread it evenly. Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Using tongs move the bacon to parchment paper so it does not stick to the cooling rack. Let it cool for a few minutes before handling it.
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container or zipper bag in the refrigerator.

Notes

I like to season the bacon with fresh ground black pepper but it is also delicious with a light sprinkle of cayenne, chili powder, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika.
I have made this recipe with both medium and thick-cut bacon slices. For medium-sliced bacon, use a light coat of brown sugar. For thicker sliced bacon, you can use a little more brown sugar. The thicker bacon takes longer to cook and brown therefore allowing for a slightly heavier coating.
For easier cleanup, cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
For maple bacon or copycat First Watch Million Dollar Bacon glaze the uncooked bacon slices with maple syrup before adding the brown sugar mixture.
Leftovers should be placed in a zipper storage bag or an airtight container and stored in the fridge. To warm and re-crisp, heat in a 350-degree oven for 5 minutes.
Chop this delectable bacon and use it in quesadillas, omelettes, cold and warm dips, salads, casseroles, and soups.
Use whole slices on burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
Add it as a garnish to your favorite Bloody Mary recipe and surprise your guests.

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