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.
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
What did you expect with bacon? You will be the hit of the party.
Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Candied Bacon
The Bacon
I used thick-sliced good quality bacon. If you use thinner bacon, the cooking time will decrease some. Also, ovens vary, so keep an eye on it the first time you do it.
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 Preparation – 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.
Summary of the Tips to Get it Right
- This is an oven-baked recipe. There are other recipes for stovetops but the results will not be as good.
- Thicker sliced bacon will work better.
- A rack, while not mandatory, will get much better results.
- 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.
- 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.
- May be served warm or cold. About 5 minutes in a 350-degree oven will reheat nicely or a few seconds in the microwave.
- Good refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be frozen if on parchment or wax paper.
Other Candy Party Recipes
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps
Pictures are for a triple batch with three pounds of bacon that yielded 66 pieces.
Preheat oven to 350 convection or 375 conventional.
Mix 1/2 cup light brown sugar with one tablespoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional).
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 the bacon 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 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.
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.
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Candied Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon - thick sliced
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 convection or 375 conventional.
- Mix 1/2 cup light brown sugar with one tablespoon chili powder and 1/2 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.
Recipe Notes
Pro Tips:
- This is an oven-baked recipe. There are other recipes for stovetops but the results will not be as good.
- Thicker sliced bacon will work better.
- A rack, while not mandatory, will get much better results.
- 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.
- 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.
- May be served warm or cold. About 5 minutes in a 350-degree oven will reheat nicely or a few seconds in the microwave.
- Good refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be frozen if on parchment or wax paper.
- I suggest following the food safety rules. Do not store at room temperature.
Check Out Other Great Recipes
Nutrition is generally for one serving. Number of servings is stated above and is my estimate of normal serving size for this recipe.
All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.
Editor Note: Originally published May 24, 2015. Updated with expanded options and refreshed photos.
Play with me PLEASE
Charlene
Yes, you are right – sounds “evil” but I am going to give it a try! Thanks Dr. Dan – once again!
Carolyn Welch
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?
DrDan
Hi Carolyn,
I would only do 2-3 days refrigerated.
Dan
Millyvinilly
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
DrDan
Sounds great.
Thanks for the note.
Dan
dusty
This is heaven on earth!!!!
DrDan
Thank You
Dan
Kathy M
Excellent recipe. I cut the recipe in a third otherwise the two of us would have eaten a pound of bacon!
Leslie
I served with melted dark chocolate for a decadent appetizer. Great recipe!
Leslie
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