Candied Bacon

This three-ingredient Candied Bacon Recipe is a cinch to prepare, and it is incredibly good with crispy edges and flavor from brown sugar, fresh ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper.  It really should come with an intervention program because this pig candy is addicting. 

Serve this sweet and salty snack treat up as a side dish for Sunday brunch, along with scrambled eggs and pancakes, and watch it disappear. Try it in grilled cheese sandwiches or crumbled over mac and cheese.

How do you make Candied Bacon?

This million-dollar bacon is made with three easy ingredients. It is as simple as spreading a thin layer of brown sugar mixture over the strips of bacon and cooking in the oven for around 12-15 minutes.  Then remove the baking pan from the oven, flip and sprinkle a little more brown sugar mixture on the bacon using the flat part of a spoon to spread it this time because it is hot. Then bake for another 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. This bacon is best served at room temperature. There is really nothing to it.

Recipe notes and helpful tips

• I like to season the bacon with fresh ground black pepper, but it is also delicious with a light sprinkle of cayenne, chili powder, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika.
• I have made this recipe with both medium and thick-cut bacon slices.  For medium-sliced bacon, use a light coat of brown sugar.  For thicker sliced bacon, you can use a little more brown sugar.  The thicker bacon takes longer to cook and brown therefore allowing for a slightly heavier coating.
• For easier cleanup, cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• For maple bacon or copycat, First Watch Million Dollar Bacon glaze the uncooked bacon slices with maple syrup before adding the brown sugar mixture. 
• Chop this delectable bacon and use it in quesadillas, omelettes, cold and warm dips, salads, casseroles, and soups.
• Use whole slices on burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
• Add it as a garnish to your favorite Bloody Mary recipe and surprise your guests.

Storage and Reheat

Place leftovers in a zipper storage bag or an airtight container and store them in the fridge.  To warm and re-crisp, heat in a 350-degree oven for 5 minutes or an air fryer for about 2 minutes.

This delectable millionaire’s bacon is the perfect party appetizer or Christmas brunch addition. Chop it and use it as a topping in your favorite dishes. Add it to your to-try list today, and let me know what you think.

 More bacon recipes you will love!

Easy Candied Bacon Recipe

Three-ingredient candied bacon is a slightly sweet, slightly spicy crackly crust bacon that's the perfect addition to so many recipes! Whip up a double batch of this deliciously crisp bacon with a candied texture and add to salads, sandwiches, dips, and more.

5 from 35 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 144kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

• 12 strips bacon not too thin
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.  Cover a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy-clean up.  Place an oven-proof wired rack over the aluminum foil.
• In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Place bacon on the wire rack in a single layer with no overlapping. If need be work in batches. Sprinkle lightly with the brown sugar mixture. Use the backside of a spoon to smooth it and spread it evenly.  Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Carefully remove the bacon from the oven and flip it. Sprinkle lightly with a little more brown sugar mixture.  Use the backside of a spoon to smooth it and spread it evenly.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
• Using tongs move the bacon to parchment paper so it does not stick to the cooling rack.  Let it cool for a few minutes before handling it.
• Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container or zipper bag in the refrigerator.

Notes

• I like to season the bacon with fresh ground black pepper but it is also delicious with a light sprinkle of cayenne, chili powder, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika.
• I have made this recipe with both medium and thick-cut bacon slices.  For medium-sliced bacon, use a light coat of brown sugar.  For thicker sliced bacon, you can use a little more brown sugar.  The thicker bacon takes longer to cook and brown therefore allowing for a slightly heavier coating.
• For easier cleanup, cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• For maple bacon or copycat First Watch Million Dollar Bacon glaze the uncooked bacon slices with maple syrup before adding the brown sugar mixture. 
• Leftovers should be placed in a zipper storage bag or an airtight container and stored in the fridge.  To warm and re-crisp, heat in a 350-degree oven for 5 minutes.
• Chop this delectable bacon and use it in quesadillas, omelettes, cold and warm dips, salads, casseroles, and soups.
• Use whole slices on burgers, sandwiches, and wraps.
• Add it as a garnish to your favorite Bloody Mary recipe and surprise your guests.

Nutrition

Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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