• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
101 Cooking For Two
  • 👨‍🍳RECIPES
  • 📋About
  • ❓FAQs/Help
  • 🛒Shop
  • 📮Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • 👨‍🍳RECIPES
  • 📋About
  • ❓FAQs/Help
  • 🛒Shop
  • 📮Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • 👨‍🍳RECIPES
    • 📋About
    • ❓FAQs/Help
    • 🛒Shop
    • 📮Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    🏠Home » Recipes » Candy Recipes

    Candied Bacon

    Nov 29, 2019 | Last Updated Apr 15, 2021 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

    Recipe Table of Contents    
    4.33 from 28 votes

    Time to get your evil on with this must-try candied bacon recipe. Great finger food for "bring a dish" holiday party or have it for breakfast. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

    candied bacon on plate

    Table of Contents
    • 🐖The Bacon
    • 🥣The Coating
    • 👨‍🍳The Method
    • ✔️Tips
    • 📖Candy Recipes
    • 🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions
    • 📖Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Introduction

    This is an evil little recipe that could make you sick from gorging. Candied bacon is caramelized sugar that is crispy and sweet. And then you can add a touch of heat to spice it up. BACON HEAVEN!

    There is absolutely nothing healthy about this recipe. I hang my doctor's head in shame thinking about it. So, it is time to "get your evil on."

    One of my most popular posts has been Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps. I wanted to change it up a little... who needs that chicken anyways.

    Just bacon, sugar, and spice should do. So, I combined the bacon wrap recipe with my How to Cook Bacon in the Oven post.

    My Rating

    My rating system. Great 5 out of 5

    What did you expect with bacon? You will be the hit of the party.

    🐖The Bacon

    Please use thick-sliced good quality bacon. If you use thinner bacon, the cooking time will decrease.

    Also, ovens vary, so keep an eye on it the first time you do it if you have thinner bacon.

    🥣The Coating

    I checked around before doing this recipe. There was Emeril's Cayenne-Candied Bacon on Food Network. From that, I switched out the cumin which I like for chicken for cayenne pepper to spice it up a bit.

    I suggest light brown sugar but many recipes use maple syrup. That will leave the bacon too sticky for finger food but ok for breakfast.

    I think the chili powder is mandatory so it is not just sweet bacon. I highly recommend the cayenne if it is for parties.

    👨‍🍳The Method

    One Side or Two Sides? - Do I Need a Rack?

    Many of the recipes only coating one side of the bacon. If you don't use the rack, the one-sided coating is a good idea.

    Many recipes didn't use a rack for drainage. I tried it both ways and a rack although not mandatory is a good idea. But again, only coat one side of no rack.

    Now we are the subject of the rack. You need oven-safe racks. You will use them over and over. I have some linked in my shop, but many stores handle them. Just be sure they are oven safe and not just cooling racks.

    You get the bacon up and out of the drained fat. You don't have to do that with plain bacon, but with the sugar coating, you want to elevate it.

    Lastly, the bacon will puddle some fat on it during cooking. Let it cool a few minutes then pat it off.

    ✔️Tips

    1. This is an oven-baked recipe. There are other recipes for stovetops but the results will not be as good.
    2. Thicker sliced bacon will work better.
    3. A rack, while not mandatory, will get much better results.
    4. Bake until crispy. This is not the time for wimpy bacon. But that time will vary by the thickness of the bacon and your oven so times are approximate.
    5. Pat some of the fat off the top of the bacon after removal from the oven. But let it cool for a few minutes before moving to the cooling area. But get it off the rack before it sticks.
    6. May be served warm or cold. About 5 minutes in a 350-degree oven will reheat nicely or a few seconds in the microwave.
    7. Good refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be frozen if on parchment or wax paper.

    📖Candy Recipes

    Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps

    Homemade Candied Nuts

    Holiday Candy Recipe Roundup

    This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

    101's Best Recipes, Appetizer and Party Recipes, Candy Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Pork | Ham and Bacon Recipes, Pork Recipes
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    🖼️Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

    Pictures are for a triple batch with three pounds of bacon that yielded 66 pieces.

    bacon and spices for candied bacon

    Preheat oven to 350° convection or 375° conventional.

    mixing spices in glass bowl

    Mix ½ cup light brown sugar with one tablespoon chili powder and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional).

    prep pan with rack and foil

    Prep baking tray with aluminum foil to help clean up and a rack. Spray heavy with PAM.

    trimming fat off bacon

    Cut bacon strips in half and trim any large chunks of fat.

    coating bacon with spices

    Dip bacon in the brown sugar mixture and coat well.

    sprinkle more spice on top of the bacon

    Spread over the prepared rack leaving a little space then give the bacon a light dusting of additional sugar and spice.

    cooked bacon on rack nicely brown

    Bake until bacon appears done which is dark along the edges. About 20 minutes for me but start checking at 15 minutes. The sugar can begin to burn when left in too long.

    patting off the extra fat from the bacon

    Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes and carefully pat off any pools of fat on top of the bacon with a paper towel.

    candied bacon cooling on a rack

    Then transfer for cooling.  Another rack, a baking mat, parchment paper or just a plate should do. Do not "drain" on a paper towel due to sticking.

    Candied Bacon on large plate
    graphic Subscribe to 101 Cooking for Two

    📖Recipe

    Candied Bacon on a plate

    Candied Bacon

    From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan
    Time to get your evil on with this must-try candied bacon recipe. Great finger food for "bring a dish" holiday party or have it for breakfast. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.
    Tap to leave a Rating
    4.33 from 28 votes
    Print Email CollectionCollected
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings #/Adjust if desired 22

    Ingredients

    US Customary - Convert to Metric
    • 1 pound bacon - thick sliced
    • ½ cup light brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350 convection or 375 conventional.
    • Mix ½ cup light brown sugar with one tablespoon chili powder and ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional but recommended).
    • Prep baking tray with aluminum foil to help clean up and a rack. Spray heavy with PAM.
    • Cut bacon strips in half and trim any large chunks of fat.
    • Dip bacon in the brown sugar mixture and coat well.
    • Spread over the prepared rack leaving a little space then give them a light dusting of additional sugar and spice.
    • Bake until bacon appears done which is dark along the edges. About 20 minutes for me but start checking at 15 minutes. The sugar can begin to burn when left in too long. Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes and pat off any pools of fat on top the paper towel carefully.
    • Then transfer for cooling, another rack, a baking mat, parchment paper or just a plate should do. Do not "drain" on a paper towel due to sticking.
    See the step-by-step photos in the post. Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print.

    My Private Notes

    Click here to save your own private notes only you will see. These will print and be saved for your next visit.
    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Recipe Notes

    Pro Tips:

    1. This is an oven-baked recipe. There are other recipes for stovetops but the results will not be as good.
    2. Thicker sliced bacon will work better.
    3. A rack, while not mandatory, will get much better results.
    4. Bake until crispy. This is not the time for wimpy bacon. But that time will vary by the thickness of the bacon and your oven so times are approximate.
    5. Pat some of the fat off the top of the bacon after removal from the oven. But let it cool for a few minutes before moving to the cooling area. But get it off the rack before it sticks.
    6. May be served warm or cold. About 5 minutes in a 350-degree oven will reheat nicely or a few seconds in the microwave.
    7. Good refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be frozen if on parchment or wax paper.
    8. I suggest following the food safety rules. Do not store at room temperature.

    To adjust the recipe size:

    You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

    Nutrition Estimate

    Calories : 117 kcal (6%) | Carbohydrates : 5 g (2%) | Protein : 7 g (14%) | Fat : 7 g (11%) | Saturated Fat : 3 g (15%) | Cholesterol : 20 mg (7%) | Sodium : 361 mg (15%) | Potassium : 118 mg (3%) | Fiber : 1 g (4%) | Sugar : 5 g (6%) | Vitamin A : 134 IU (3%) | Calcium : 8 mg (1%) | Iron : 1 mg (6%)
    Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
    Course : Appetizer
    Cuisine : American

    © 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

    Editor Note: Originally published May 24, 2015. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

    Play with me PLEASE
    Play with me PLEASE
    « Easy Texas Chili
    Pretzel Candies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. AnnieO

      July 14, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      I use this recipe for my chocolate chip/bacon cookies. So, so good. I add a bit of smoked paprika.

      Reply
    2. Asraf abid

      January 22, 2020 at 11:29 pm

      Excellent recipe, I think its so crispy.

      Reply
    3. Charlene

      November 30, 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Yes, you are right - sounds "evil" but I am going to give it a try! Thanks Dr. Dan - once again!

      Reply
    4. Carolyn Welch

      March 05, 2018 at 7:50 pm

      I look forward to making this recipe for my husband's 50th birthday party. However, can it be made ahead of time and store? Has anyone tried doing that?

      Reply
      • DrDan

        March 05, 2018 at 8:42 pm

        Hi Carolyn,
        I would only do 2-3 days refrigerated.
        Dan

    5. Millyvinilly

      January 16, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      I used this for BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avacado, tomato) sandwiches so yummy! I used red chili powder instead of the other spices and added some honey

      Reply
      • DrDan

        January 16, 2017 at 5:25 pm

        Sounds great.
        Thanks for the note.
        Dan

    6. dusty

      May 02, 2016 at 7:25 pm

      This is heaven on earth!!!!

      Reply
      • DrDan

        May 02, 2016 at 7:40 pm

        Thank You
        Dan

    7. Kathy M

      June 08, 2015 at 9:28 am

      Excellent recipe. I cut the recipe in a third otherwise the two of us would have eaten a pound of bacon!

      Reply
    8. Leslie

      May 25, 2015 at 5:04 pm

      5 stars
      I served with melted dark chocolate for a decadent appetizer. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Leslie

        May 25, 2015 at 6:54 pm

        I also made more of the sugar-spice mix (1/2 of original), cooked bacon for 15 minutes, turned bacon, added the extra sugar mix, and cooked for another 15 minutes to extra crispy but not burned. Leslie

    Leave a Comment (Policy Link in Footer) Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    DrDan image Hi, I’m DrDan and welcome to 101 Cooking for Two, the home of great everyday recipes with easy-to-follow step-by-step photo instructions. About DrDan

    Popular Recipes

    • Pan Seared Oven Roasted Filet Mignon
    • Pan Seared Oven Baked Chicken Breast
    • Oven Baked Chicken Legs - The Art of Drummies
    • Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
    • How To Cook Sausage in the Oven
    • How to Cook Bacon in the Oven - Step by Step
    • Oven Pulled Pork - Low & Slow Pork Butt
    • Pan Seared Oven Roasted Strip Steak

    kitchen reference sheet graphic wide blue
    graphic of sites that I work with or have had recipes featured or referenced.
    SITES THAT I WORK WITH OR HAVE HAD RECIPES FEATURED OR REFERENCED.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top ↑

    About

    • About DrDan
    • Sign up for Emails
    • Contact
    • The Shop
    • Blog Business and Guest Posts
    • Helpful Links

    Top Content

    • Saved Recipes Collections
    • 101's Best Recipes
    • Recipe Index

    Policies

    • Comment Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Copyright Policy

    Educational

    • Food FAQ
    • Kitchen Reference Sheets
    • Guide To Cooking for Two

    dogs by the pond

    COPYRIGHT © 2010-2022 101 COOKING FOR TWO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | BASED ON FOODIE PRO THEME