This easy candied bacon recipe is sweet, crispy, and oven-baked to perfection. Includes tips, storage info, and spicy variations for chiliheads!
Who wants candied bacon? Sweet, salty, sticky, and crispy, this Candied Bacon is everything you love about bacon, taken to the next level. It's easy to make in the oven, incredibly addictive, and totally customizable depending on your spice level.
Serve it as a snack, brunch side, brunch board option, cocktail garnish, or a secret weapon on your next burger. If you’ve never tried candied bacon before, get ready. This stuff disappears fast - and is delivers BIG on FLAVOR with minimal effort!
Even better? You can prep it ahead and reheat it easily - yes, even in the air fryer. Check it out. You need more candied bacon in your life.
Let's talk about how to make candied bacon, shall we?
What is Candied Bacon?
Candied bacon, also known as “pig candy”, is bacon that’s been coated with sugar and baked until crispy and caramelized. The sugar melts into the fat, forming a glossy, sweet coating. It's the perfect sweet and savory treat with irresistible texture.
You’ll often find candied bacon served at brunch, on charcuterie boards, or as a unique garnish for cocktails like Bloody Marys. But here at Chili Pepper Madness, we like to kick it up a notch.
How to Make Candied Bacon
Primary Ingredients
- Thick Cut Bacon.
- Light Brown Sugar.
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper. Optional.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the rack.
- Sprinkle each slice evenly with brown sugar and optional black pepper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the sugar is bubbling and caramelized. (Check around the 20-minute mark.)
- Let the bacon cool for 5-10 minutes. It will firm up as it cools.
Boom! Done! That’s it! Simple and outrageously good.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Use a Wire Rack. Elevating the bacon with a touch of air flow helps it cook evenly and crisp up nicely.
- Watch Closely. Sugar can burn quickly so start checking at 20 minutes.
- Use Thick-Cut Bacon. Thinner slices can cook too quickly and can burn before the sugar sets properly.
- Make a Batch. Trust me, this goes fast! Make more than you think you’ll need.
- Cut the Sweetness. Add black pepper or spicy elements to balance the sugar. See below.
How to Spice It Up (For Chili Pepper Madness fans)
This is where it gets fun. Candied bacon is the perfect canvas for bold, spicy flavors. Here are a few of my favorite twists:
Mild Heat – Add ½ tsp chili powder
Medium Heat – Add ¼ tsp cayenne + ½ tsp smoked paprika
Sweet Heat – Mix 1 tbsp sriracha + 1 tbsp maple syrup into the sugar
Smoky Heat – Add ½ tsp chipotle powder
Extreme Heat – Add ¼ tsp (or more) ghost pepper flakes - check out my ghost pepper candied bacon recipe! Spicy!
Want to really crank it up? Combine spices or finish with a drizzle of my hot honey recipe or homemade chili crisp recipe. You can even use my Mango Habanero Hot Sauce for a fruity, fiery finish.
Serving Ideas
Candied bacon is more versatile than you might think. Try it...
- As a brunch side or brunch board centerpiece
- Crumbled over salads or roasted veggies
- On top of burgers or breakfast sandwiches
- Stirred into mac and cheese (yes, really)
- As a garnish for Bloody Marys or bourbon cocktails - try my Spicy Bloody Mary Recipe!
- Straight off the tray - no shame!
Make it Ahead
You can make candied bacon a day or two in advance and keep it stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Let it cool completely before storing, and layer it between sheets of parchment to keep it from sticking.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storing Candied Bacon: Place completely cooled candied bacon in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days.
Reheating Candied Bacon:
- Microwave: 15-20 seconds on a paper towel, though it may soften slightly.
- Oven: Reheat on a wire rack over a baking sheet at 350°F for 5-8 minutes.
- Air Fryer: Heat at 350°F for 2-3 minutes, watching closely so the sugar doesn’t burn.
That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy this awesome candied bacon recipe. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear how it turned out for you, and if you decided to spice it up!
Cookbook Recommendation
If you enjoy spicy cooking, I hope you'll check out my cookbook! 75 easy recipes with big, bold flavor.
- The Spicy Food Lovers' Cookbook, by Mike Hultquist (affiliate link, my friends!)
Amazon Affiliate links, my friends! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. 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.
Candied Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb thick-cut bacon
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar or to taste
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper optional – or to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the rack.
- Sprinkle each slice evenly with brown sugar and optional black pepper.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the sugar is caramelized. (NOTE: Check it at 20 minutes to make sure it isn’t done, but it usually takes 25-30 minutes.)
- Cool for 5-10 minutes. The bacon will firm up as it cools.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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