Candied Bacon (aka Pig Candy) is a whole new way to LOVE bacon! Made with just a handful of ingredients, it’s a delicious combination of savory and sweet and quite arguably even better than bacon, itself!
I have to admit. I’ve gone nearly my entire life without even knowing about candied bacon. I know, I know. How can I even call myself a food blogger!?
I first ran across just recently… in an ad for Dunkin’ Donuts… and I immediately knew I needed it in my life. Because if there’s one thing that’s better than bacon, it’s bacon that’s both savory AND sweet. My favorite combination.
But that’s not all… because I decided to make my candied bacon a little bit spicy, too. Which, for me, hits ALL the right notes. Savory + sweet + spicy + BACON! Seriously. How can you even go wrong!?
It’s the perfect little snack and a fun addition to any breakfast or brunch. And we love adding it to sandwiches and salads, too. If you love bacon and are ready to take it to the next level… this recipe is for you. Just be prepared…it WILL blow your mind!
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven – heat the oven to 375° F.
Make the rub – in a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pepper, and cayenne. Mix well.
Coat the bacon – line two rimmed baking sheets with aluminum foil. Place an oven-safe baking rack on top of each, then lay the bacon perpendicularly across the racks, being careful not to overlap. Sprinkle each piece of bacon evenly with the brown sugar mixture. Press down gently.
Bake it – bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until it reaches desired level of crispiness.
Cool & enjoy – remove the bacon from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes so the brown sugar can harden. Enjoy!
Recipe variations
- Use any type of bacon, including thick cut or center cut
- Omit the cayenne pepper
- Add additional seasonings, such as chili powder, cumin, nutmeg, or cinnamon
- Increase the brown sugar to 3/4 cup and add additional cayenne and pepper accordingly
- Add maple syrup to the brown sugar mixture and brush it on
- Serve with maple syrup on the side
Storing & reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To reheat, place them back in the oven or in an air fryer for extra crispiness. Alternately,
Recipes to pair with candied bacon
- Roasted Potatoes
- Crustless Quiche Lorraine
- Peach Cobbler Baked French Toast
- Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole
- Lemon Raspberry Coffee Cake
- Caprese Quiche
- Peach Coffee Cake
Candied Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, pepper, and cayenne. Mix well.
- Line two rimmed baking sheets with aluminum foil. Place an oven-safe baking rack on top of each, then lay the bacon perpendicularly across the racks, being careful not to overlap. Sprinkle each piece of bacon evenly with the brown sugar mixture. Press down gently.
- Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until it reaches desired level of crispiness.
- Remove the bacon from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes so the brown sugar can harden. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use any type of bacon, including thick cut or center cut
- Omit the cayenne pepper
- Add additional seasonings, such as chili powder, cumin, nutmeg, or cinnamon
- Increase the brown sugar to 3/4 cup and add additional cayenne and pepper accordingly
- Add maple syrup to the brown sugar mixture and brush it on
- Serve with maple syrup on the side