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    Home » Recipes » Pork Recipes

    How to Make Candied Bacon

    Published: Jan 6, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

    155 shares
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    5 from 32 votes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    My Candied Bacon recipe is the ultimate salty snack. Crispy, sweet, and salty, with just a touch of heat, perfect for your next Sunday brunch or game day get-together.

    candied bacon in a glass jar

    My easy candied bacon recipe is made with four simple ingredients. Thick cut bacon is coated with a mixture of maple syrup, brown sugar, and black pepper, then baked into strips of crispy, sticky, caramelized deliciousness.

    fingers holding piece of candied bacon

    If you haven’t tried this delicious treat, you don’t know what you’re missing. Often referred to as Pig Candy, Millionaire’s Bacon, Man Candy, Brown Sugar Bacon, and Bacon Candy, but whatever you call it, one bite and you’ll understand what the fuss is all about.

    Table of Contents:

    • Ingredients
      • Simple Pantry Ingredients
    • How to make Candied Bacon
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • If you love Bacon try these recipes!
    • Candied Bacon
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition

    Ingredients

    ingredients to make recipe

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Candied Bacon. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

    Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Simple Pantry Ingredients

    • thick sliced bacon (not regular bacon)
    • maple syrup
    • brown sugar
    • black pepper

    *For added heat a little cayenne pepper or hot sauce can be added to the mixture.

    How to make Candied Bacon

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

    collage showing how to make the recipe

    In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, brown sugar and black pepper and mix until well combined.

    bacon on parchment lined baking sheet next to candy mixture
    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with a nonstick pan spray
    • Cut the bacon strips in half and place bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet. Do not overlap them.
    brushing mixture on bacon

    Brush the brown sugar mixture over the strips of bacon on both sides.

    recipe on sheet pan ready to go in the oven

    Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven on the center rack and bake for 18-20 minutes . Check the oven as the bacon cooks so it doesn’t burn. The thickness of the bacon will determine how long it takes to cook.

    overhead view of jar of candied bacon

    It’s the perfect salty snack, and is a great addition crumbled on salads, cookies and brownies. It and can also be used to garnish a bloody mary

    candied bacon in a glass jar

    Store the candied bacon (if there is any left) in an airtight container.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Should candied bacon be served cold or hot?

    Candied bacon is best served at room temperature, but it can also be served chilled. Chilling makes the bacon more firm and it lets the layer of sugar cling to the bacon.

    How should Candied Bacon be stored?

    Keep the bacon in an airtight container and store it under refrigeration for up to 10 days. It can also be frozen in a well sealed container for up to 3 months.

    If you love Bacon try these recipes!

    • Asian Glazed Bacon Wrapped Chicken Legs
      Asian Glazed Bacon Wrapped Chicken Legs with A Pineapple-Mango Salsa
    • ultimate grilled chicken sandwich on a white plate
      Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
    • overhead shot of loaded tater tot nachos on a white platter
      Loaded Tater Tots {Tatchos}
    • overhead partial view of bowl of Tuna Macaroni Salad Deluxe topped with crispy bacon bits and parsley
      Tuna Macaroni Salad Deluxe – American Classic

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    candied bacon in a glass jar
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    5 from 32 votes

    Candied Bacon

    My easy candied bacon recipe is made with four simple ingredients. Thick cut bacon is coated with a mixture of maple syrup, brown sugar, and black pepper, then baked into strips of crispy, sticky, caramelized deliciousness.
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time25 minutes mins
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 157kcal

    Ingredients

    • ½ lbs. bacon
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, brown sugar and black pepper and mix until well combined.
    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with a nonstick pan spray.
    • Cut the bacon strips in half and place bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet. Do not overlap them.
    • Brush the brown sugar mixture over the strips of bacon on both sides.
    • Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven on the center rack and bake for 18-20 minutes .
      Check the oven as the bacon cooks so it doesn’t burn. The thickness of the bacon will determine how long it takes to cook
    • Let the bacon cool on a wire rack briefly before serving.
    • Bacon can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 10 days. It can also be frozen in a well sealed container for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 189mg | Potassium: 83mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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