Candied bacon is the perfect sweet and salty snack, or a delicious addition to sandwiches! It’s easy to make traditional candied bacon with brown sugar, or switch it up to make candied maple bacon, bourbon bacon or spicy candied bacon with sriracha.
This recipe can be cooked in the oven or air fryer. Candied bacon is always a hit, which is why it’s garnered nicknames like “man candy” and “million dollar bacon”. I simply call it downright delicious!
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I have been making candied bacon for years. It’s sweet, it’s salty and it’s real good on a grilled cheese sandwich! One of my favorite things about candied bacon is how you can mix it up and make different flavors.
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Today I’m sharing how to make candied bacon four ways. Traditionally, candied bacon is made with two ingredients, thick cut bacon and brown sugar. While that’s a great place to start, I also love adding sriracha to make spicy candied bacon, or maple syrup for a sweet bacon with a twist.
You can also candy bacon with brown sugar and bourbon. What’s not to like about that combination?!
Candied bacon can be served on it’s own for an epic snack or party appetizer. Did someone say bacon bar? Set one up with all of the different candied bacon flavors at your next party!
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Candied bacon can also be added to bread pudding muffins, sandwiches, waffle batter and more! The possibilities really are endless. How will you eat your candied bacon? Comment below and let me know!
How to make it
- Add thick cut bacon to a large plastic zipper bag. Be sure to separate the bacon strips as you move them from the packaging to the bag so they don’t all stick together. Add the flavor of your choice.
- To make traditional candied bacon, add 1/2 cup brown sugar.
- For maple candied bacon, add 1/2 cup brown sugar + 1/4 cup maple syrup.
- To make spicy candied bacon, add 1/4 cup sriracha + 1/2 cup brown sugar.
- For bourbon candied bacon, add 1/4 cup maple syrup + 1/4 cup bourbon + 1/2 cup brown sugar.
- Toss the bacon with the brown sugar and any additional ingredients, until the bacon is completely coated.
- Cook the bacon either in the oven or air fryer.
- If cooking in the oven, arrange the bacon in a single layer on a wire rack, on top of a foil-lined baking sheet. This will allow the bacon to cook on both sides, without flipping it during the cooking process. Bake in a 400°F oven for 20 minutes. Add an additional 4-5 minutes if needed to cook the bacon to your desired texture.
- If cooking in the air fryer, arrange the bacon in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook the bacon in the air fryer at 400°F for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
- Note: you can line the air fryer basket with foil, or parchment paper, for easy clean-up. Just note that if you do line the basket with foil, the grease will not be able to drip through and therefore the bacon will cook in it’s own grease. This is totally fine, but will make the bacon greasier.
- Let the bacon rest for 10 minutes, then transfer the bacon to a serving plate.
Frequently asked questions
- Can candied bacon be left out? Candied bacon is perishable, so it should be stored in the refrigerator within 2 hours of making the recipe.
- How long will it last in the refrigerator? 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.
- How do you reheat bacon in the microwave? Place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds.
- How do you reheat bacon in the oven? Turn the oven broiler on to high. Place the bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet and into the oven, under the broiler, for 2 minutes. This will give you the crispiest reheated bacon.
- How do you reheat bacon in the air fryer? Place the strips of bacon in an even layer in the air fryer. Cook in the air fryer at 400°F for 3-4 minutes.
- How do you keep the bacon crispy? If you’ve cooked the bacon, but want to keep it crispy for up to 2 hours before serving it, keep it in the oven on the baking sheet. Set the oven at 200°F and prop the oven door open 1-2 inches. This will keep the bacon crispy for up to 2 hours.
Tips and tricks
- I recommend using thick-cut bacon for this recipe. The time it takes to cook thick-cut bacon will result in perfect caramelization of the sugar on the outside.
- If using a wet ingredient, like maple syrup, bourbon or sriracha, I recommend tossing the bacon in the wet ingredient first, then the sugar. This will give you the best coating of the sugar on the bacon.
- I do not recommend using another sugar to replace the brown sugar. The molasses in brown sugar perfectly caramelizes on the bacon for the best flavor and texture.
- One pound of bacon equals approximately 12 slices of bacon. If you’d like to double this recipe, simply hover over the ingredient amount in the recipe card below and switch it from 12 slices to 24 slices. The servings amounts in the recipe card will automatically update.
What to eat with it
Candied bacon is absolutely delicious by itself, but it’s also the perfect addition to an epic brunch spread. Pair it with these recipes for breakfast or brunch!
- Egg Muffins
- Cheesy Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
- Bagel Bar + Bacon Bar = a match made in heaven!
- Strawberry Pancakes
- Nutter Butter Waffles
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Muffins
You can also add it to a bloody mary, BLT, grilled cheese sandwich, Maple Bacon Ice Cream, Bacon Maple Muffins or Green Beans with Bacon!
More bacon recipes to try
- Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts
- Spinach Frittata with Bacon
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Pasta Boscaiola
- Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Chicken Breast
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Categories: Recipe