Crispy Candied Bacon: The Perfect Snack, Topping, & More

Imagine perfectly crisp bacon glazed with a sweet and savory coating. Crispy Candied Bacon is an explosion of flavor in every bite! This recipe is easy to make, and I’ll share all the ways you can use it in your recipes.

You only need a few supplies and simple ingredients to create this delicious treat. I’m preparing today’s recipe to add to Smoked Brownie Recipe and making a small batch. However, I’ll share the full recipe for your convenience.

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What Is Candied Bacon?

Candied bacon is thin-cut bacon that has been baked with brown sugar and other optional ingredients until it’s crispy brown. It can be eaten as a snack or used in many recipes.

How Can You Use Candied Bacon?

Candied bacon is a delicious treat as it is, but what about adding a drizzle of dark chocolate for a tasty dessert? Brad and I have used candied bacon to make toppings for dishes such as grilled salmon. A slice is a gourmet addition to a Bloody Mary cocktail. You can also crumble it and add it as a topping to desserts like brownies and ice cream treats. Today, I’m using my candied bacon as a topping for a Dark Chocolate Smoked Brownie with caramel sauce. YUM!

There are many ways to use candied bacon, and I think you’ll agree that they are all delicious.

Easy Candied Bacon Recipe

So, let’s gather our supplies and get ready to make some bacon.

Prepare Cookware

First, I recommend using a wire rack to back the bacon with a pan underneath for the drippings. Cover the drip pan with aluminum foil and spray the wire racks with cooking spray to avoid unnecessary cleanup.

Ingredients For Candied Bacon

The simple ingredients to make candied bacon are light brown sugar and cracked pepper. However, you can enhance the bacon with optional ingredients. Today, I’m adding smoked bacon sea salt to create a smokey taste for my brownie recipe. I mixed the sea salt with brown sugar to speed up the application process.

Prepare Bacon For Baking

Step one: lay your bacon on the greased baking rack and sprinkle with the cracked pepper.

Step two: Cover with the brown sugar mixture and press into the top of the bacon.

Place in a pre-heated 375-degree oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is crispy. Remove from oven and leave on the rack until cool.

How To Store Candied Bacon

Candied bacon stores well and can be kept for up to a week. After the bacon is cool, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container, ziplock plastic bag, or plastic wrap.

Can I Freeze Candied Bacon?

If you want to make a larger supply, you can freeze candied bacon for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove it from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator. Once thawed, you can either reheat the bacon or leave it outside the refrigerator until it reaches room temperature. Serve immediately.

Print Recipe

Easy Candied Bacon

Easy to make candied bacon, delicious snack or food topping.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 69kcal

Author: Rachel

Equipment

• Smoked Sea Salt Sampler Set, Alderwood, Cherrywood, Bacon and Garlic Smoked Salts, Gourmet Cooking Gift, 0.5 oz x Bundle of 6 Flavored Salts – Caravel Gourmet Salt
• Nordic Ware Naturals® Quarter Sheet with Oven-Safe Nonstick Grid

Ingredients

• 12 slices of thin bacon
• 4 tablespoons light brown sugar
• Sprinkle with cracked pepper optional
• 1 tsp. smoked bacon sea salt or other sea salt flavor optional

Instructions

• Pre-heat over 375 degrees
• Cover the drip pan with aluminum foil
• Spray the baking rack with cooking spray
• Spread bacon on a rack
• Sprinkle a light coat of cracked pepper (optional)
• Mix brown sugar with any additional sea salt if desired.
• Spread brown sugar over each slice of bacon, pressing into the top.
• Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until bacon is crispy
• Remove and allow to cool on the rack.
• Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes

You can be creative and add other flavors to the bacon when adding the brown sugar.

Related Recipes

• Easy Bacon and Egg Breakfast Muffins
• Pulled Pork Egg Rolls in Air Fryer
• Upside Down German Chocolate Cake

You have to try these Smokey Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Candied Bacon Brownies.