• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop

Chili Pepper Madness logo

  • Recipe Index
  • RECIPES BY TYPE
    • BBQ/Grilled
    • Burgers
    • Chicken Wings
    • Chili
    • Curry
    • Dehydrator
    • Game Day
    • Hot Sauces
    • Jalapeno Poppers
    • Marinades
    • Pickling
    • Preserving
    • Quick and Easy
    • Salsas
    • Sauces
    • Seasonings
    • Stuffed Peppers
    • Tacos
  • COOKING TIPS
  • Pepper Info
    • Chili Pepper Types
    • The Scoville Scale
    • Hottest Peppers in the World
    • Growing Chili Peppers
    • Preserving
    • Health Benefits
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Buy Plants & Seeds
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • All Recipes
  • Pepper Info
  • Chili Pepper Types
  • The Scoville Scale
  • Growing Chili Peppers
  • Preserving
  • Chili Pepper Health Benefits
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Cooking Tips
  • Cookbooks
  • Shop
  • About Us
×

Home » Recipes » Pork » Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon

by Mike Hultquist · Jan 11, 2019 · 29 Comments

Jump to Recipe
Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - Recipe

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon is the best of both worlds - sweet and extra spicy! Made with ghost pepper chili flakes, sriracha sauce, brown sugar and pure maple syrup, this bacon is anything but bland. Beware... it's incredibly addictive and one of the best bites you will ever experience!

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - Recipe

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon Recipe

Okay, just... WOW. This recipe is no joke. It's seriously one of the tastiest bites I've had in a while, and DANG! I've had a lot of bites. Truly, there's something about candied bacon that, after a single bite simply overwhelms your other senses. It forces your brain to center solely on the pleasure of your taste buds, forgoing all other sensory input.

Go ahead and take a bite if you don't believe me. Feel your muscles go slack as the ultimate combination of sweet and spicy melts onto your tongue in the most mouthwatering melody ever! Am I being overly dramatic here? I think not, because every time I've served this spicy candied bacon to friends, it gets more compliments than I can handle.

Grabbing a piece of Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon

Why Make Sweet and Spicy Candied Bacon?

  1. It's perfect for spice lovers. Made with both crushed ghost pepper flakes and sriracha sauce, this easy candied bacon recipe is ideal for those who like some serious heat.
  2. Makes for a unique appetizer. I like to serve it in smaller parties as a starter. People walking in the door are greeted with hellos, drinks, and candied bacon. Wouldn't you love to enjoy a nice piece of candied bacon upon arrival? I sure would!
  3. Hello, brunch! Your homemade bloody mary just got so much better.

The addition of subtle sweetness to the bacon gives it a dessert-like quality, though it's not quite dessert. Surely you can serve it as a dessert, and I am adding this to our Spicy Desserts Recipes Category, but it's more of a snack, appetizer, or spicy bloody mary garnish.

It's also extremely portable, so bring it along for tailgating parties, concerts, walks in the park, pretty much anywhere you want to make friends quickly.

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - Ready to serve

Ingredients for Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon

  • Bacon
  • Brown sugar
  • Maple syrup
  • Sriracha sauce
  • Crushed ghost pepper flakes

This list of ingredients is just how we like it - short and sweet!

How to Make Spicy Candied Bacon - the Recipe Method

First, you'll mix together brown sugar, pure maple syrup, sriracha sauce and ghost pepper chili flakes in a bowl.

Mixing together the spicy ghost pepper mixture to make ghost pepper candied bacon

For the ghost pepper flakes, I crushed some ghost peppers that I had dehydrated from my garden. You can find dried ghost pepper flakes or powders online.

Crushing dried ghost peppers

Spread the bacon out over a baking sheet and rub them down with your sweet and spicy mixture.

Covering a baking sheet with aluminum foil

Get both sides. Rub them down good!

Rub down the bacon with your spicy ghost pepper mixture

Bake them for 30 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked through and JUST starting to crisp up.

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - On a cooling rack

That's it. Enjoy the heck out of them.

Recipe Tips

  • Use foil. It helps to wrap the pan in aluminum foil first for easy clean up.
  • Don't over-bake. The bacon strips will crisp up a bit more after you remove them from the oven and they cool.
  • Use a wire cooling rack. Cooling the cooked bacon on a wire rack helps it stay nice and crispy as the extra fats drip down.

Storage Information

Once your ghost pepper bacon cools to room temperature, you can transfer it to an airtight container and keep it stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - On a plate

Try Some of My Other Ghost Pepper Recipes

I love cooking with ghost peppers and have a number of spicy ghost pepper recipes to share with you. Here's a list of a few of my favorite bold recipes:

  • Sweet and Spicy Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon
  • Sweet Ghost Pepper-Pineapple-Pear Hot Sauce
  • Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce
  • Ghost Pepper Chicken Curry
  • Ghost Pepper Chicken Wings
  • Fresh Ghost Pepper Salsa
  • Pineapple-Mango Ghost Pepper Hot Sauce
  • Homemade Ghost Pepper Chili Hot Sauce
  • Ghost Pepper Remoulade
  • Homemade Chili Powders
Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - Stacked on a plate

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - Recipe
Print

Sweet and Spicy Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon Recipe

This candied bacon recipe is sweet and extra spicy, made with ghost pepper chili flakes, sriracha sauce, brown sugar and pure maple syrup. Beware. It is super addictive, one of the best bites you will ever experience.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bacon, ghost pepper, recipe, video
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories: 137kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 16 pieces
Tap or hover to scale
5 from 14 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 1 pound thick cut bacon
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
  • 1 teaspoon crushed ghost pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spread the bacon out over a large baking sheet.
  • Mix together the brown sugar, maple syrup, sriracha sauce and ghost pepper flakes in a large bowl.
  • Rub each bacon slice down with your spice mixture. Get them good and coated!
  • Bake the bacon for 30 minutes, or until is just getting crispy.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool. It will crisp up more in that time.
  • Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Heat Factor: Medium. Despite using ghost pepper flakes, the sweet really balances it out. Use extra ghost pepper flakes or powder to up the heat factor.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 137kcal   Carbohydrates: 5g   Protein: 3g   Fat: 11g   Saturated Fat: 3g   Cholesterol: 18mg   Sodium: 212mg   Potassium: 69mg   Sugar: 4g   Vitamin A: 50IU   Vitamin C: 0.6mg   Calcium: 7mg   Iron: 0.2mg
Ghost Pepper Candied Bacon - Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

This recipe was updated on 1/8/19 to include new photos and video. It was originally published on 8/4/17.

Categories: Appetizers Tags: bacon, bhut jolokia, Chili Pepper Madness, chili pepper recipe, game day and superbowl parties, ghost pepper, mikes favorites, sriracha, tailgating, video recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Jason says

    May 08, 2022 at 1:57 pm

    5 stars
    Mike,

    I just don't this and yum. In my arsenal and being made soon.

    I do have a question though. I accidentally found this looking for a recipe I found through Google but it looks like you've taken it down... I was looking for your maple-soy glazed bacon recipe. Any chance I could get that one too?

    Love everything you do.

    Thanks, Jason

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      May 09, 2022 at 6:24 am

      Thanks, Jason. Yeah, I removed that other recipe for lack of visits/interest. Sorry about that. I don't believe I have it in my archives, but essentially you really just need to rub down the bacon with a mixture of maple syrup, soy sauce, and seasonings, similar to this recipe.

      Reply
  2. Chris Scanlon says

    January 19, 2021 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is without a doubt one of the best and easiest I've made. Can't think of a way to make it better except to make more. This is the first time I cooked with ghost peppers. Hottest before this was Habanero. It's a delightful heat. My entire family likes this and none of us are chili-heads. I'll be picking up Mike's book to learn more about cooking with super-hots, and thank him for sharing this awesome recipe with us.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 20, 2021 at 7:17 am

      Thanks so much, Chris! Super happy you and the family enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy my books!

      Reply
  3. Big Al says

    November 25, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    5 stars
    Made this this morning for the first (definitely not last ) time. I made a few butties out of it and shared them with a friend . We both loved it. Need to go out and get more bacon. Thank you for all the ideas Mike. Alex

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      November 28, 2020 at 9:37 am

      Thanks, Big Al! Nice!!

      Reply
  4. Jeremie says

    January 23, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    Extra crispy, sweet and spicy!! just amazing, Mike!
    One drawback... it's too addictive!
    I did it with Trinidad Scorpion Butch T powder!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 26, 2019 at 1:00 pm

      Nice! I hear you on the addictive part!

      Reply
  5. Nannette says

    January 12, 2019 at 11:19 am

    5 stars
    Looks so good. I have used several of your recipes
    All are outstanding!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 12, 2019 at 11:38 am

      Thanks, Nannette. I appreciate it!

      Reply
  6. pranita deshpande says

    January 12, 2019 at 5:31 am

    Beautiful recipe .Looks like well roasted .

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 12, 2019 at 9:08 am

      Thank you, Pranita!

      Reply
  7. Cathy says

    January 11, 2019 at 5:58 pm

    5 stars
    WOW MIKE!!!! This recipe is a true winner! Out of the ballpark Mike! Holy cow what great combinations going on here! And I totally love your description, "after a single bite, overwhelms your other senses, forces your brain to center solely on the pleasure of your taste buds, forgoing all other sensory input." And btw, a Bloody Mary will never just be a Bloody Mary again!! 🙂 Fantastic!!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 11, 2019 at 6:33 pm

      Thanks, Cathy. Perhaps a bit over-dramatic for me, but I love it that much!!

      Reply
      • David Hamilton says

        November 22, 2019 at 10:54 am

        5 stars
        Michael Hultquist. I seen this some back and was looking for it until I found your recipe. Brother this like a blessing from God/God's. I make every year around Thanksgiving and Christmas time. I make the Ghost, Reaper. This year I'm kicking it up. I'm make them same two with a little extra in each batch plus dusting them in the end. I decided just now I'm make a special batch this year. It's going to be a combination with Ghost and Reaper together with extra of both plus dusting at the end. Thank you sir for sharing this recipe

        Reply
        • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

          November 22, 2019 at 12:24 pm

          That's AWESOME, David! I love the extra spicy dusting at the end. Perfect way to kick it up a notch! Nicely done. Thanks, man!

          Reply
  8. Jacque Hastert says

    January 11, 2019 at 3:19 pm

    5 stars
    This sounds like my kind of snack! I would eat this all day every day. Pinning for later to make.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 11, 2019 at 3:44 pm

      Awesome! Beware, super addictive.

      Reply
  9. Vicky says

    January 11, 2019 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at bacon and kept me with sweet and spicy. Also candied. Seriously, it is like all my favorite flavors combined. I love the idea of serving this during a super bowl party.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 11, 2019 at 3:11 pm

      This is perfect for the Super bowl!

      Reply
  10. Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says

    January 11, 2019 at 3:07 pm

    5 stars
    You had me at candied bacon! This looks incredible! I want to reach through my screen and eat the entire platter!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 11, 2019 at 3:11 pm

      One of the great ones for sure!

      Reply
  11. Damien C. says

    January 08, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best candied bacon I've ever had. The spice level was perfect, with just the right amount of sweetness. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      January 08, 2019 at 2:37 pm

      Thanks, Damien! Glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  12. Susan S says

    August 15, 2017 at 6:52 pm

    I relied on squinting instead of my glasses and used a Tbsp. instead of a tsp. of ghost pepper flakes, but this bacon was a hit! My husband and my pepper-loving 9-year-old son even loved it. The ghost pepper flakes I used are smoked, so they are a tiny bit tempered by the way they are made, I think. Thanks for the great recipe!

    REPLY: Outstanding! -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.

    Reply
  13. Diego Lopes says

    August 07, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    5 stars
    Omg, this looks sooo delicious!!! I have to try it. Thank you for sharing the recipe with us!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      August 04, 2018 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      You're welcome, Diego!

      Reply
  14. John says

    August 05, 2017 at 12:39 pm

    5 stars
    Well, this just made my Saturday morning list! Along with my Reaper Bloody Mary.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      August 04, 2018 at 7:33 am

      5 stars
      That's awesome, John!

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

ALL. SPICY. RECIPES. Hi, I’m Mike and I LOVE Spicy Food! Say goodbye to bland and boring food with my easy-to-follow recipes. Let’s get cooking!

More about me →

Mexican
Cajun
Sauces
Seasonings

5 ESSENTIALS FOR SPICY COOKING

Subscribe and receive my FREE email series with tips for spicy cooking and new Recipes

Order The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook by Mike Hultquist

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / INDIEBOUND / BOOKS A MILLION

Order The Spicy Dehydrator Cookbook by Mike Hultquist

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / INDIEBOUND

Most Popular Recipes

  • Bang Bang Chicken
  • Mexican Birria Recipe
  • Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe
  • Jamaican Curry Chicken
  • Mexican Picadillo Recipe
  • Homemade Blackening Seasoning

Footer

NEVER MISS A RECIPE

Receive my "5 Essentials for Spicy Cooking" email series & new recipes

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

↑ back to top

About | Contact | Travel-Food | Ingredients | Stories | Privacy | Disclaimer | © 2023 Chili Pepper Madness

EXCLUSIVE MEMBER OF MEDIAVINE FOOD