How to Make Perfectly Sweet & Spicy Candied Bacon

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Candied. Bacon.

Need I say more to wet your appetite?

Probably not, so let’s dive right in!

What makes it “candied”?

The ‘candy coating’ on the bacon is a spiced brown sugar. You will mix light brown sugar with cinnamon for the sweet side & add chili powder, white pepper, & either cayenne or chipotle powder for the spicy side. It really is the best of both worlds.

Candying the bacon is super easy & just a little messy. You only need one bowl for the dredging. Once the bacon has the sugar coating, it all gets baked in the oven to keep the mess contained.

Is this really kid friendly?

Yes! Initially, no, BUT I made one small adjustment & it was mild enough for even the most sensitive palate. If mild is your preference, you’ll want to use chipotle powder instead of cayenne. It’s a smoky sort of heat because it’s made from smoked jalapeno peppers. The smokiness of the chipotles blends right in with the smokiness of the bacon.

If you (&/or your kids) prefer some spice in your food (even just a little bit), you’ll want to use the cayenne powder for sure! It’s not overpowering at all. It balances with the sweetness of the sugar so that even someone with a lower spice tolerance may be able to handle it.

What do I serve with Candied Bacon?

This is obviously not intended to be an every day recipe! You can use this recipe any time you would normally serve bacon on it’s own. Like for breakfast, brunch, or breakfast for dinner.

It’s a great treat to break out for special events too, like Birthdays or Valentine’s Day. I put this candied bacon together with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries & Pink Ombre Pancakes to create a Valentine’s Day Pancake Board. Definitely a fun treat for the family!

It’s also a great way to level up your next cheese plate or charcuterie board. Adding a homecooked recipe to a tray of store bought meats & cheese is a really thoughtful & loving touch.

Alright – I’m super excited to see what you think of this recipe! Please let me know which version you made & how it went! I really appreciate all of your feedback & I love seeing your creations. Don’t forget to take a quick pic of your creation & tag This & That on Instagram or Facebook.

Candied Bacon

Stephanie Ralya
Quick & easy recipe to level up your bacon! Great for holidays or charcuterie platters, brunches or breakfast for dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Bacon premium or thick cut preferred
  • 1/2 cup Light Brown Sugar lightly packed
  • 1/2 t Cinnamon ground
  • 1/2 t Chili Powder
  • 1/4 t Chipotle or Cayenne Powder chipotle = mild; cayenne = medium/hot
  • 1/4 t White Pepper ground, 1/8 t = mild

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with tin foil & place a cooling rack on top of the foil.
  • In a small dish, combine the brown sugar & spices together. Coat the bacon with the brown sugar mix on both sides. Gently shake off any excess sugar. Lay the bacon flat on the cooling rack & repeat with all strips.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, until bacon is cooked through & starting to crisp on the edges. Your bacon may take more or less time to cook based on the thickness & your preferred doneness.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • Do not put bacon on a paper towel lined plate to cool!  It will be very sticky.  Use parchment paper, a silicone mat, or leave right on the cooling rack.
Keyword 30 minutes, Breakfast Board, Breakfast Platter, brunch, Brunch Board, Brunch Platter, carnivore, easy, Holidays, kid-friendly, Sweetest Day, Valentine’s Day