If you’ve been searching for a sweet, salty, and irresistibly crispy treat to jazz up your breakfast or snack time, look no further. This Easy Candied Bacon Recipe is the ultimate way to transform simple thick-cut bacon into a mouthwatering delight that combines maple syrup, brown sugar, and just a hint of black pepper for a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Whether you’re a bacon lover or simply craving something a little extra special, this recipe will quickly become your go-to when you want to impress or indulge yourself with minimal fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in how straightforward the ingredients are, each bringing something unique and important to the table. From the sweetness of brown sugar and maple syrup to the tang from rice vinegar and the savory bite of black pepper, every item plays a crucial role in building that signature candied bacon flavor and amazing caramelized texture.
- Light brown sugar: Using firmly packed brown sugar ensures the perfect amount of sweetness and caramelization for that shiny glaze.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a subtle acidity that cuts through the sweetness and balances the richness of the bacon.
- Maple syrup: The authentic sweetness enhances the overall flavor and helps create that sticky, glossy coating.
- Black pepper: Adds a touch of warm spice and complexity; feel free to adjust according to your preference.
- Thick-sliced bacon: Thick slices hold up well during the slow baking and absorb the glaze beautifully for maximum crispiness and flavor.
How to Make Easy Candied Bacon Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sweet Glaze
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. While it heats up, mix together the brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup in a bowl until the sugar dissolves completely. Then stir in the black pepper, which adds that perfect hint of warmth to counterbalance the sweetness.
Step 2: Arrange the Bacon for Baking
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil so cleanup is a breeze later. Place a wire rack on top and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the rack—this setup allows the fat to drip down while the bacon crisps evenly.
Step 3: Initial Bacon Baking
Bake your bacon for 10 minutes, then flip each strip over and bake for another 5 minutes. This initial cook starts rendering the fat and getting your bacon that crispy base needed to hold the glaze.
Step 4: Apply the Glaze and Continue Baking
Pull the bacon out and generously brush the tops with your sweet glaze. Pop it back into the oven for 5 minutes. Keep repeating the process every 5 minutes—turning the bacon and brushing more glaze on top—until your strips are perfectly browned and crisp, which usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes depending on bacon thickness.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
Once done, let the candied bacon cool on the rack for about 10 minutes so that the glaze sets beautifully. This rest time helps the bacon develop that irresistible sticky glaze with a satisfying crunch.
How to Serve Easy Candied Bacon Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper or a light dusting of flaky sea salt right before serving can take this candied bacon to the next level. Fresh herbs like chopped rosemary or thyme also add a lovely aroma and subtle herbal note that pairs wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Easy Candied Bacon Recipe pairs like a dream with breakfast classics—think fluffy scrambled eggs, lightly buttered toast, or even a stack of homemade pancakes. It also makes for a fantastic topping on salads or baked potatoes, injecting sweetness and crunch where you least expect it.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow your guests? Try bundling several candied bacon strips around a cheese-stuffed jalapeño or rolling them up with dates for a savory-sweet appetizer. You can also chop this bacon and mix it into mac and cheese or sprinkle over roasted veggies to add a smoky-sweet surprise burst.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover candied bacon (though it might be hard to resist), store it in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days, retaining much of its delicious flavor and crunch.
Freezing
For longer storage, you can freeze candied bacon by placing cooled strips in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, and then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. This keeps the bacon from sticking together, and you can enjoy it for up to two months.
Reheating
Reheat candied bacon in a preheated oven at 350°F for a few minutes or in a toaster oven to crisp it up again. Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain that delightful crunch—oven reheating brings it back to life perfectly.
FAQs
Can I use regular vinegar instead of rice vinegar?
Rice vinegar is preferred because of its mild acidity and subtle sweetness, but if you don’t have any on hand, apple cider vinegar can be a good substitute. Avoid strong vinegars like white distilled vinegar as they might overpower the delicate flavors.
What type of bacon works best?
Thick-sliced bacon is ideal as it offers the best texture and holds up well during the candied baking process. Thin bacon tends to crisp too quickly and may burn before you get that perfect caramelized glaze.
Is this recipe very sweet?
This Easy Candied Bacon Recipe balances sweetness with a touch of tang from vinegar and a pop of black pepper spice, so it’s sweet but never cloying. You can adjust the sugar and pepper amounts to fit your taste perfectly.
Can I use this glaze on other meats?
Absolutely! This glaze works wonderfully on chicken wings, pork belly, or even roasted vegetables for a sweet-savory twist. Just watch cooking times and thickness when applying it to other ingredients.
How long does it take to prepare this recipe?
The prep time is minimal, around 10 minutes, however, the baking process requires patience—about 30 to 45 minutes—to get that perfect candied crunch. Trust me, it’s worth every minute!
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a treat that’s equal parts simple, delicious, and impressive, this Easy Candied Bacon Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a perfect way to elevate ordinary bacon into a show-stopping dish that’s great for any occasion. Give it a try—you might find it hard to go back to plain bacon ever again.
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Easy Candied Bacon Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Easy Candied Bacon is a deliciously sweet and savory treat combining thick-sliced bacon baked to crispy perfection and glazed repeatedly with a rich mixture of brown sugar, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and black pepper. This recipe transforms simple bacon into an irresistible glazed delicacy perfect for breakfasts, snacks, or adding a flavorful crunch 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 to taste (about 1 tablespoon)
Bacon
- 1 pound thick-sliced bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the glaze: In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup until the sugar is fully dissolved. Add black pepper to taste, approximately 1 tablespoon, and stir to combine.
- Preheat and set up baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the foiled pan and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Initial bake of bacon: Arrange the thick-sliced bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully flip the bacon strips over and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- First glaze application: Remove the bacon from the oven and brush the top side of each strip generously with the prepared brown sugar glaze. Return the bacon to the oven.
- Baking and glazing cycles: Bake the bacon for 5 minutes, then remove and flip each strip, brushing the top again with glaze. Repeat this process every 5 minutes—flipping the bacon and glazing it—until the bacon is deeply browned and crisp. This typically takes 30 to 45 minutes depending on the thickness of your bacon.
- Cool and serve: Once candied and crisped to your liking, let the bacon cool on the wire rack for about 10 minutes. This allows the glaze to set and the bacon to firm up. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy. Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Using thick-sliced bacon is crucial for achieving the ideal texture—thin slices may cook too fast and burn.
- Be patient with the glazing process; repeated brushing and baking create the characteristic glossy candied finish.
- Line the pan with foil to simplify cleanup, as the sugar glaze can be sticky.
- If the bacon starts to burn before it crisps up, reduce oven temperature slightly.
- Store candied bacon refrigerated and reheat briefly to bring back crispiness before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
