If you have a craving for something sweet, salty, and irresistibly crispy, then this Easy Candied Bacon Recipe will be your new best friend in the kitchen. It’s a delightful way to take your regular bacon to a whole new level with a perfect balance of brown sugar, maple syrup, and a hint of black pepper creating that addictive glaze. Whether you’re serving it at brunch, using it to jazz up a burger, or just sneaking bites straight from the pan, this recipe turns simple bacon into an unforgettable treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these straightforward ingredients is all it takes to create that perfect sweet and smoky bite. Each component plays a crucial role, from adding sweetness and tanginess to enhancing texture and flavor complexity.
- Light brown sugar: Provides the rich caramel sweetness that forms the delightful glaze on the bacon.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness with a touch of brightness.
- Maple syrup: Deepens the sweetness with its natural, woodsy flavor for a more complex glaze.
- Black pepper: Cuts through the sweetness with a little warmth and spice, keeping things exciting.
- Thick-sliced bacon: Thick slices ensure a perfect bite that’s crispy on the edges but tender inside.
How to Make Easy Candied Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Glaze
Start by mixing light brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup in a bowl until the sugar dissolves into a smooth glaze. Adding black pepper here is key—it introduces a little bite that keeps this dish from turning overly sweet and adds depth to the flavor profile.
Step 2: Pre-bake the Bacon
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then place a wire rack on top and spritz it lightly with nonstick spray. Lay your thick-sliced bacon strips in a single layer on the rack. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes, then flip the bacon carefully and bake for another 5 minutes. This step starts the cooking process and renders some fat before glazing.
Step 3: Glaze and Bake in Intervals
Remove the bacon from the oven, then generously brush your prepared glaze over each strip. Pop it back into the oven for 5 minutes, allowing that sweet coating to caramelize. Keep repeating this step every 5 minutes—turning the bacon and glazing it again—until your strips are beautifully browned and crisp. This usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes depending on thickness.
Step 4: Cool and Serve
Once your candied bacon reaches that perfect golden crispiness, let it cool on the rack for about 10 minutes. Cooling helps the glaze set and ensures each bite snaps with a satisfying crunch. Then you’re ready to plate and impress!
How to Serve Easy Candied Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt or even a dash of smoked paprika on top just before serving. These simple garnishes not only amp up both flavor and aroma but also add a beautiful finishing touch to your candied bacon creation.
Side Dishes
This Easy Candied Bacon Recipe pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides—think fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy roasted potatoes, or even a fresh mixed green salad to balance out the sweetness. The rich flavors of candied bacon are versatile and can complement any breakfast or brunch spread perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Feeling fancy? Roll pieces of candied bacon into bite-sized spirals and serve them on toothpicks as party appetizers. Or use strips to top burgers and sandwiches for an indulgent crunch. You can even crumble it over mac and cheese or salads to add a salty-sweet surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover candied bacon in an airtight container or a zip-top bag and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to five days, making it perfect for quick breakfasts or adding to recipes without extra fuss throughout the week.
Freezing
You can freeze candied bacon by placing strips flat on a parchment-lined tray until firm, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container or bag. It keeps well for up to three months, so prep ahead for busy days or parties—and have this treat ready anytime.
Reheating
Reheat candied bacon gently on a baking sheet at 350°F just until warmed through to bring back that crisp texture. Avoid microwaving as it can make the glaze soggy. Easy reheating ensures your Easy Candied Bacon Recipe stays delicious from the first bite to the last.
FAQs
Can I use regular sliced bacon instead of thick-sliced?
Absolutely! While thick-sliced bacon gives the best texture for this recipe, regular sliced will still turn out delicious. Just keep a close eye on cooking times, as thinner slices will crisp faster and might need less glazing time.
Is it necessary to use rice vinegar in the glaze?
Rice vinegar adds a subtle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully, but you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or even lemon juice if needed. The key is maintaining that little zing to keep the flavors bright.
How spicy should the black pepper be?
Black pepper is meant to add warmth and complexity, not overpower the dish. About one tablespoon works well, but adjust to your taste. For a bit more heat, freshly cracked black pepper is ideal.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! All the ingredients used here are naturally gluten-free, but be sure to check that your bacon and any additional seasonings you use do not contain gluten or cross-contamination to keep it safe.
What’s the best way to prevent the glaze from burning?
Patience is key—baking at 350°F and brushing the glaze on in intervals helps the sugar caramelize slowly without burning. Also, flipping the bacon regularly ensures even cooking and prevents scorching on one side.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Candied Bacon Recipe is one of those treats that feels fancy but comes together with such ease that you’ll want to make it again and again. It’s a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and peppery that adds excitement to any meal or snack time. Don’t hesitate to try it—you might just find yourself hooked on this glorious combination of flavors and textures.
Print
Easy Candied Bacon Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Easy Candied Bacon recipe transforms thick-sliced bacon into a sweet and savory treat with a glossy glaze of brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup. Baked to crispy perfection in the oven, the bacon is brushed repeatedly with the flavorful glaze, creating a beautifully caramelized and addictive snack or appetizer that pairs wonderfully with breakfast or as a decadent addition to salads and sandwiches.
Ingredients
Glaze
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- Black pepper, about 1 tablespoon or to taste
Bacon
- 1 pound thick-sliced bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the glaze mix: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup. Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely. Add black pepper to taste, approximately 1 tablespoon, and mix well to create a flavorful glaze.
- Set up baking surface: Line a large rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan with aluminum foil to simplify cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the thick-sliced bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack ensuring they do not overlap for even cooking.
- Initial baking: Bake the bacon in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn each strip over to ensure even cooking on both sides, then bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Apply glaze the first time: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and use a brush to coat the top side of each bacon strip generously with the prepared brown sugar glaze. Return the bacon to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, allowing the glaze to begin caramelizing.
- Repeat glazing and baking: Repeat the process of turning the bacon strips and brushing them with the glaze every 5 minutes. Continue this cycle of turning and glazing until the bacon is deeply browned and crisp. This can take between 30 to 45 minutes or longer depending on the thickness of the bacon. The repeated glazing creates a sticky, candied coating.
- Cool and serve: Once done, remove the bacon from the oven and allow it to cool on the wire rack for about 10 minutes. This resting period lets the glaze set and bacon crisp up further. Transfer the candied bacon to a serving platter and enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Using thick-sliced bacon is key for the best texture and candied effect.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper according to your spice preference; it balances the sweetness nicely.
- Allow bacon to cool completely on the rack to maintain crispiness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently if desired.
- You can experiment with adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the glaze for an extra kick.
