An irresistible breakfast treat, this Candied Bacon Recipe is easy to whip up and a guaranteed family favorite! Made with thick-cut, smokey bacon, brown sugar and a cayenne kick, this pork candy is a sweet-salty concoction sent from heaven! Serve along with Southern Grits, Blueberry Pancakes or Hash browns.
I’m all about the small, simple pleasures in life: the smell of fresh brewed coffee, homemade lemonade on hot summer days and spicy, crisp bacon. I mean, is there a better way to start your morning than wrapped in a cozy robe while wolfing down a plate of bacon? I think not.
The recipe I’m sharing today is in celebration of life’s simple moments, the ones that bring us nothing but joy. Spicy Candied Bacon is the perfect food: crispy, chewy, sweet and salty! Each bite is an explosion of smokey fat unlike anything else.
Let’s start our morning off right together! You deserve a treat and so do I!
HOW TO MAKE CANDIED BACON RECIPE
When it comes to breakfast, the only thing easier to make than a batch of candied bacon is a bowl of cereal. Seriously, with just 3 simple ingredients and about 20 minutes of your time, you’ve got your next favorite breakfast food!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Sliced Bacon
Bacon is a type of salt-cured pork; it’s typically prepared using pork belly or back cuts. Bacon is salty, smokey and occasionally, a bit sweet. I would encourage you to use a thicker cut bacon which has a higher fat concentration. The extra fat will release during cooking and make for crisp bacon with a chewy interior.
Light Brown Sugar
Light brown sugar contains added molasses which, when cooked, creates a deep, caramel-like flavor. During the baking process, the sugar coated bacon will caramelize and form a sweet, sticky exterior layer. The sweet-salty combo is to die for!
Cayenne Pepper
I love spice! I believe that just about any recipe can benefit from a bit of heat. Added spice intensifies flavor and makes for a more complex flavor profile.
TIP: Whether you’re not a fan of heat or just looking for something different, there’s an option for you! Instead of cayenne, try drizzling your candied bacon with maple syrup, sprinkling it with minced garlic or even coating it with cinnamon and chili powder.
WHY BAKE BACON? CAN I MAKE IT CRISPIER?
There’s something so satisfying about waking up late on a Saturday morning and dusting off the cast-iron skillet to make bacon. I love standing over the skillet, tongs in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, while I listen to the pops and sizzles.
But, as much as I enjoy the classic process, I hate the oil-splatter burns and the constant nursing. By using the oven, I avoid injury and make more time to cook up eggs, hash browns and anything else my little heart desires.
The baking process will yield a bacon that is cooked evenly, crisp on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside. Perfection!
For A Crispier Candied Bacon recipe: If you’re not a fan of that chewiness, an oven-safe cooling rack will be your best friend. Set it on top of a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and layer the bacon on top. Lifting the bacon up let’s it cook from every side and get super crispy!
WHAT DO I SERVE WITH IT?
I could eat an entire plate of this bacon on its own, seriously! But, I also love using it as a topping for an epic breakfast sandwich or as a side to a yummy brunch spread. You could even crumble up the cooled bacon and use it for salads or omelettes.
Need some inspiration? Here are a few of Grandbaby Cakes’ BEST breakfast recipes:
- EASY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
- BUTTERMILK WAFFLES
- LEMON RICOTTA PANCAKES
- JOHNNY CAKES OR HOE CAKES (FRIED CORNBREAD)
- CHEESE GRITS
- APPLE CRISP FRENCH TOAST
REHEATING AND STORAGE
Candied Bacon is delicious served right out of the oven or at room temperature. Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I would suggest layering the bacon using wax or parchment paper to avoid sticking.
If you would like to reheat it, simply place the bacon on a bit of foil and place it in the oven for about 10 minutes. A toaster oven will work as well, just be sure the temperature is at about 400 degrees.
Candied Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 bacon slices
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together brown sugar and cayenne until combined.
- Dip bacon into sugar mixture coating on both sides then place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until bacon is golden brown and cooked to your preference.
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Since the boys and I are pretty obsessed with bacon, I seriously can’t wait to make these for them!
We’ve been making candied bacon and bacon brittle for years! Always a winner in our house!
I’ll definitely have to share this with my bacon-loving friends!
I love the sweet and salty combination of this! It would be absolutely perfect for making for brunch. Saving this recipe now!
Oh yes, Jocelyn, my friend!! I’ve got all my praise hands and feet raised! This candied bacon was out of this world. Aunt Bacon definitely approves.
This recipe needs a warning label, haha! So addictively delicious!
I loved the little kick the cayenne pepper added. SO good!
I have loved every recipe I have followed off of this site. Soul food reminds me of items I ate growing up