How long it takes: 10 minutes to prep, 35 minutes in the oven Equipment you’ll need: rimmed baking pan, wire rack that fits inside the pan Servings: 10 Sticky, crunchy, salty, sweet, spicy, and lots of umami, candied bacon covers all the bases. No wonder it’s always a hit! Looking for more special occasion appetizers? Be sure to take a look at my list of easy holiday appetizers!
What is candied bacon?
Candied bacon is simply thick cut bacon, dredged in a mixture of brown sugar, and spices, and baked until crispy. It smells so good when it’s baking, you’ll hardly be able to wait to take it out of the oven and try it. Prep. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Prepare a baking pan by lining it with heavy duty foil and placing a baking rack on it. Spray the rack lightly with non-stick spray. Make seasoning. Using a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne, and black pepper. You can customize the spices to your own preference, making it more or less spicy. Coat bacon. Separate the bacon into slices and dredge the slices with the sugar mixture, rubbing lightly to help the sugar adhere to the bacon. Bake. Arrange the slices on the baking rack and bake until crispy, 30 to 35 minutes. Cooking time will depend on how thick your bacon slices are. Watch closely at the end of the cooking time so that they don’t get too brown. You may want to remove slices that are getting done more quickly. Cool. Cool slightly. The slices will crisp up a bit as they cool.
Make it Your Own
Sweet only: For a simple sweet coating, stick with just maple syrup or brown sugar or a bit of both. Add smokiness: Chipotle chili powder is a great way to add smoky heat. Try smoked paprika for smokiness without heat.
Storage & Reheating Tips
Reheating: Candied bacon is delicious warm or at room temperature. If you would like to reheat it, put it on foil and warm it up in the oven for 10 minutes or so. Storage: It should be kept in a covered container in the fridge or freezer, between wax paper layers so it doesn’t stick together. Keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Don’t be surprised if you open the container and it has completely disappeared though. Quick-Start Guide!
