Candied Bacon is a delicious and indulgent treat that combines the salty, smoky flavor of bacon with the sweet, caramelized goodness of maple syrup and brown sugar.
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It’s perfect for breakfast or brunch, as a snack, or as a topping for salads, sandwiches, and even desserts. This sweet and salty treat is easy to make at home and is sure to be a hit with bacon lovers everywhere.
What is candied bacon?
Candied bacon is exactly what it sounds like: bacon that has been coated in a mixture of maple syrup and brown sugar, then baked until it’s crispy and caramelized.
The result is a delicious, addictive snack that is a great addition to a breakfast or brunch spread, as a snack or appetizer, or as a topping to add additional flavor and texture to salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
This sweet salty treat is sometimes called Pig Candy, Millionaire’s Bacon, Million Dollar Bacon, or simply Candy Bacon. No matter what you call it, you’re going to find it irresistible.
Ingredients you need
For the complete list of ingredients with quantities and detailed prep and cooking instructions, please see the recipe card that appears at the end of this post.
This easy candied bacon only uses a few ingredients. Here’s what you need to make Maple Brown Sugar Candied Bacon at home:
- Nonstick cooking spray: This will help to prevent the caramelized sugar mixture from sticking to the pan.
- Bacon: I like to use thick cut smoked bacon strips. Smoked candied bacon has even more flavor than unsmoked. If you don’t like smoked foods, however, this recipe is just as delicious with unsmoked bacon.
- Maple syrup: Always use pure maple syrup. Any grade will do here.
- Brown sugar: You can use either light or dark brown sugar in this candied bacon recipe.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground pepper provides the most flavor. Set your peppermill to a coarse grind for the best results.
How to make candied bacon
This recipe is unbelievably easy to make. Here’s to make this easy candied bacon recipe:
- Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Place the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Stir together the syrup, brown sugar, and pepper.
- Brush the maple brown sugar mixture evenly over the bacon slices on both sides (make sure to coat the edges, too!)
- Bake until the bacon is crisp and the sugar mixture caramelizes.
- Once the bacon is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes. You can transfer it to a wire rack if you like.
- Serve it immediately or chop it into bite-size pieces to use as a topping.
How to serve it
It’s best to serve Candied bacon warm and it’s a great addition to any breakfast or brunch spread. Serve it alongside Japanese Souffle Pancakes, Air Fryer Breakfast Tarts, or Hashbrown Casserole.
You can chop it up and sprinkle it over salads like Kale Salad with Miso Dressing, Green Bean Salad, or Beet Salad with Harissa Dressing. Or try deviled eggs with candied bacon.
You can use it as a topping for sandwiches, too. Try it on an Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich or add it to your favorite grilled cheese sandwich (along with some Pickled Jalapenos, yum!).
It even makes a decadent topping for desserts like Air Fryer Caramelized Bananas, Air Fryer S’mores, or Pumpkin Ice Cream, or S’mores Ice Cream.
Maple and Brown Sugar Candied Bacon
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- ½ pound thick cut bacon cut in half lengthwise
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar dark or light
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Arrange the bacon pieces on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between the slices.
- In a small bowl, stir together the syrup, brown sugar, and a few grinds of black pepper. Mix well.
- Brush the syrup-sugar mixture over the bacon, coating the top and sides well. Flip the bacon pieces over and brush more of the mixture over the other side to coat.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the maple-syrup-and-sugar mixture is caramelized.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bacon cool for a few minutes. Use tongs to transfer the candied bacon to a cooling rack or a serving platter.
- Notes
- Try adding other spices to change up the flavors here. For instance, try adding cayenne pepper, ground chipotle pepper, ground cinnamon, or chili powder if you like spicy candied bacon.
- Keep an eye on the bacon while it’s in the oven, as the sugar can burn easily.
- You can store candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Try adding other spices to change up the flavors here. For instance, try adding cayenne pepper, ground chipotle pepper, ground cinnamon, or chili powder if you like spicy candied bacon.
- Keep an eye on the bacon while it’s in the oven, as the sugar can burn easily.
- You can store candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
