Candied Bacon
Ready to wow everyone at the breakfast table? This simple candied bacon is always a hit!
Made with just a few ingredients, this easy recipe is a great way to take classic breakfast bacon and make it even better. If you love the combination of sweet and savory flavors, you’ll love this one.
I’ve been making this candied bacon for years, ever since I first tried it at a restaurant in Austin. It’s such a simple combination of flavors, but it works so well!
This is a great way to add a little pizzaz to breakfast, whether you’re making it for the family or having a fancy ladies’ brunch at home.
Why You’ll Love Candied Bacon
- This recipe brings restaurant-style flavors right to your table. If you’ve ever been tempted by the fancy bacon at breakfast chains, this is one to not miss.
- It’s simple, so you don’t need to worry about adding lots of extra time to breakfast prep.
- Candied bacon only needs a few ingredients—and you probably already have them all at home!
- Doubling or tripling the recipe for brunches or big family gatherings is a cinch, so you’ve got everyone covered.
Ingredients for this recipe
This is just an overview. For full measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to the printable recipe card. It’s all there waiting for you!
How To Make Candied Bacon
Step 1: Mix Coating
In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, maple syrup, and black pepper until the sugar is dissolved.
Step 2: Brush On
Lay the bacon slices on a lined baking sheet and brush the syrup mixture onto each slice.
Step 7 : Bake
Place the pan in the oven and bake until the oven is crisp and coating is sticky. Let cool briefly and serve while still warm!
Recipe tips
Use parchment to line your baking sheet. This will make cleanup a bit easier, and the bacon slices will be easy to remove from the pan. If you need, use two baking sheets to ensure there is enough room for all of the bacon without overlapping slices.
For more heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or ground cayenne pepper to the maple syrup coating.
Keep an eye on the bacon to make sure to does not burn while baking. Depending on how thick your slices are, they might need more or less time in the oven. Cook for the lower amount of time, then add time as needed.
Storage and usage tips
Candied bacon is best while it is still warm from the oven, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. Reheat carefully in the microwave—the sugars and bacon can burn if you cook for too long. Just 15-20 seconds should be enough!
Obviously this bacon is great as part of any breakfast spread next to sourdough pancakes or hashbrown casserole, but you can also tuck it into a bacon gouda breakfast sandwich, try it in a BLT, or chop up and add to your favorite scrambled eggs.
Grab some extra bacon—you’ll want to make this one again and again!
Candied Bacon
Ingredients
- 8 ounces sliced bacon
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar, light or dark
- Pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Lightly coat with nonstick spray.
- Arrange bacon strips on the baking sheet, cutting in half if you like. Make sure the strips do not overlap (use two baking sheets if needed).8 ounces sliced bacon
- In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar and black pepper and mix until well combined.1/2 cup pure maple syrup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, Pinch ground black pepper
- Brush the syrup mixture over the bacon on both sides.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, adjusting time as needed for bacon thickness. Remove from the pan and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to adjust your baking time based on the thickness of your bacon. Thicker bacon and a fuller sheet pan will need more time, while thin bacon and more empty pan will use less time.
Megan Myers has been sharing her favorite recipes online for 20 years. She has worked for companies like Whole Foods Market, Texas Co-Op Power, and Good Catch Foods. Her favorite breakfast food is waffles with plenty of maple syrup.