Candied Bacon Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Once you try candied bacon, you won’t want it any other way. Thick-cut slices of bacon in a caramelized brown sugar coating, topped off with a pinch of black pepper and cayenne – what could be better? It’s a flavor combination you won’t be able to stop thinking about.

Is there anything better than bacon? I love it in all its forms! If you’re looking for another fun and delicious recipe to make, give this twisted bacon a try! I also have recipes for making the perfect bacon in both the oven and air fryer, you’ll have to try them out!

Candied Bacon Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Candied Bacon Recipe

Just looking at the pictures for this candied bacon makes my mouth water. To be honest, I didn’t think bacon could get any better, but this might just be my favorite way to prepare it. The savory flavor of bacon pairs really well with sweet things! If you’re not quite ready to make the leap to maple bacon donuts, making this easy candied bacon recipe is the perfect first step.

Candied bacon (also known as million dollar bacon) is truly the perfect combination of salty and sweet. And since we’re using thick-cut slices of bacon here, it’s packed with meaty goodness as well! Candied bacon is super easy to make but will impress everyone with how it tastes. It has all the flavor of a high-end brunch spot but from the comfort of your kitchen! It’s a breakfast game-changer. The caramelized outer layer is absolutely irresistible.

Ingredients Needed

Even though candied bacon is referred to as million dollar bacon, the ingredients are actually really affordable! You only need a pack of thick-cut bacon, some brown sugar, and a dash of simple seasonings to put this tasty dish together.

  • Bacon: Bacon cut into thick slices is the way to go here. It will hold up better in the oven instead of shriveling and becoming overcooked.
  • Brown Sugar: Melts down to create a delicious, glossy outer layer with the perfect sweet flavor! Light brown sugar and dark brown sugar both work, it will just change the flavor slightly. If you want a little extra sweetness, you can also mix it with maple syrup.
  • Seasonings: To offset the sweetness a little bit, I added a sprinkle of cracked black pepper and ground cayenne. These are completely optional, add to taste!

How to Make Candied Bacon

Let’s make some candied bacon! I know you’re going to love it as much as I do. It only takes a few simple steps and then it’s off to the oven. Keep in mind that candied bacon can be addictive, so be prepared to make extra batches because it tends to disappear quickly!

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and spray an oven-safe baking rack with pan spray. Set the baking rack on the baking sheet and set aside.
  2. Brown Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar with the pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired, and spread out on a plate or in a small baking sheet. Press each slice of bacon into the sugar mixture until one side is thoroughly covered in sugar.
  3. Bake: Lay the sugared bacon slices onto the prepared baking rack and bake for 20-24 minutes, rotating the pan as needed, until the bacon is crisp around the edges.
  4. Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bacon cook for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a parchment lined plate or baking sheet to finish cooling.
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Tips and Variations

Candied bacon makes the perfect snack, side, or appetizer! Here are a few ways to customize and perfect your batch.

  • Use Thick-Cut Bacon: As mentioned earlier, thick-cut bacon is preferable for candied bacon because it provides a meatier texture and holds up better to the sweet coating. This way, you won’t end up with brittle, overcooked bacon.
  • Prep Your Bacon: Before applying the sweet coating, make sure the bacon is dry. Pat it with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, as this helps the coating stick better and ensures even cooking.
  • Add More Heat: If you like things spicy, add cayenne pepper, chili powder, hot honey, or hot sauce to your sweet coating mixture. The combination of sweet and spicy flavors will give your bacon a fiery kick. Yum!
  • Top With Herbs: I’m sure it’s pretty clear by now that I love adding fresh herbs as a garnish. It’s the perfect finishing touch! Not only does it add an extra pop of flavor, but amazing aromatics and presentation as well! Try topping your candied bacon with thyme, sage, or rosemary.
  • Monitor the Cooking Process: Keep a close eye on the bacon as it cooks, especially during the last few minutes. The sugar in the coating can quickly go from caramelized to burnt. Adjust the cooking time if needed to achieve the desired level of crispness.
Candied Bacon Recipe - The Recipe Critic (3)

Storing Leftovers

I highly doubt you’ll have any leftovers of this scrumptious bacon, but just in case, here’s how to store it for later!

  • In the Refrigerator: Store leftover candied bacon in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To reheat it, pop it in the oven for a few minutes at 350 degrees F. This will help keep the bacon and caramelized coating nice and crispy.
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More Mouthwatering Bacon Recipes

From main courses to side dishes, here are a few more wonderful bacon recipes that will satisfy all of the carnivores in your house! If you need more bacon in your life, check out my full list of recipes here. I know you’ll love them as much as I do!

Dinner

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

40 mins

Appetizers

Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball

15 mins

Side Dishes

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus

30 mins

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Candied Bacon

By: Alyssa Rivers

Once you try candied bacon, you won’t want it any other way. Thick-cut slices of bacon in a caramelized brown sugar coating, topped off with a pinch of black pepper and cayenne – what could be better? It’s a flavor combination you won’t be able to stop thinking about.

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 24 minutes minutes

Total Time: 34 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray and oven-safe baking rack with pan spray. Set the baking rack on the baking sheet and set aside.

  • Combine the brown sugar with the pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired, and spread out on a plate or in a small baking sheet. Press each slice of bacon into the sugar mixture until one side is thoroughly covered in sugar.

  • Lay the sugared bacon onto the prepared baking rack and bake for 20-24 minutes, rotating the pan as needed, until the bacon is crisp around the edges.

  • Remove the pan from the oven and let the bacon cook for at least 5 minutes before transferring to a parchment lined plate or baking sheet to finish cooling.

Nutrition

Calories: 490kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 11gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 609mgPotassium: 221mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 75IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Candied Bacon Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

How long does candied bacon last? ›

You can store the cooked candied bacon in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Store it in an airtight container, such as a large zipper bag or plastic container with a lid. To reheat bacon in the microwave, place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds.

How does Ina Garten make bacon? ›

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lay the bacon on a sheet pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the bacon is really crispy. Dry on paper towels and serve.

How do you preserve candied bacon? ›

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator. Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious.

How does Hardee's make candied bacon? ›

Candied bacon is made in-house using Applewood-smoked bacon. It's then coated with caramelized brown sugar and finished with a hint of black pepper. We used a similar combination of flavors in our Candied Bacon Crackers.

How do restaurants get bacon so crispy? ›

Even if they are frying it, the pan and oil is heated first. They cook it the best way possible, on a sheet pan in the oven. The bonus is while it takes longer to make this way, you can make more at once, the pieces are more or less flat and they come out crispy.

Do I need to refrigerate candied bacon? ›

Much like traditional bacon, it is best to store candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While regular cooked bacon lasts only four to five days when stored in the fridge, candied bacon will last a little bit longer — up to three weeks.

Is candied bacon good the next day? ›

Candied bacon can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheats well in a skillet over low heat.

Does candied bacon go bad? ›

Candied bacon holds up well in the freezer

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer.

What ingredient to avoid in bacon? ›

The health risk of bacon is largely to do with two food additives: potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre) and sodium nitrite. It is these that give salamis, bacons and cooked hams their alluring pink colour.

How does Rachael Ray make bacon? ›

It's so incredibly simple! Just preheat oven to 375°F, and arrange your bacon on a slotted pan (like Rach's!) and bake to crisp for 15 to 18 minutes. (Again, if you don't have a slotted pan, Rach says you can make your own by putting a wire cooling rack on top of a baking sheet with a rim.)

How does Martha Stewart make bacon? ›

Bake the bacon in a 400°F oven until well-browned and crisp, this should take between 15 and 18 minutes depending on the thickness of your bacon. To follow Martha's method to a T, you'll need to rotate the sheet pan halfway through.

Can I reheat candied bacon? ›

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet. This is like candy – we love it! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

Can I freeze candied bacon? ›

Layer it between sheets of wax paper or parchment paper to keep it all from sticking together. You can also freeze candied bacon. Leftovers can be placed in the freezer for up to 6 months if wrapped and separated with parchment paper, then placed in an airtight, freezer-friendly container.

What is the history of candied bacon? ›

Candied bacon is believed to have first gained popularity in Washington, D.C.'s party circuit. But, as the Thompson speculates, most likely, 'pig candy' was an import to the nation's capital brought from the kitchen of some unknown Southern hostess.

What is candied bacon made of? ›

What is Candied Bacon. Also known as Pig Candy, Candied Bacon is made by coating thick sliced of bacon in something sweet such as brown sugar, maple syrup, or caramel before baking until caramelized. It's fantastic crumbled on a salad or just served alongside a pint of your favorite beer.

Why doesn't homemade bacon get crispy? ›

Let your bacon sit at room temperature for fifteen minutes or so before you cook it. It will help the fat render more quickly, so it will be crispy and not burnt.

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