Candied Bacon
Also known as “pig candy,” candied bacon is a mouth-watering combination of sweet, salty, and crispy! This easy recipe is just 4 ingredients!
Candied Bacon (aka Million-Dollar Bacon, aka Pig Candy)
If you want something sweet and salty, you will love this flavorful and easy-to-make candied bacon recipe. You’ll love the smells of deliciously cooked bacon throughout your house with just a hint of sweetness to balance it all out.
My husband makes the most amazing BLT sandwiches! I think it’s because he always makes his own candied bacon, instead of just regular bacon.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love traditional bacon. But that candied bacon is something else…
When you coat bacon strips in a maple brown sugar topping, it caramelizes as the bacon cooks. When the bacon is done, it is both perfectly crispy, but also glazed with a sweet and crunchy caramelized sugar.
It’s also called “pig candy” or “million-dollar bacon” because it’s so darn tasty that you can just eat it all on its own as a snack! But by any name, this stuff is worth taking a couple extra minutes of prep time to make it. Seriously, it’s only going to take you a couple minutes more than it would to cook regular bacon!
I think this special sweet and salty bacon is even better when it’s layered on a sandwich or crumbled and used as a topping on desserts, like cookies. It takes an otherwise ordinary sandwich and makes it something special!
The best part? It’s so easy to make a big batch ahead of time and you can use it all week long! Perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. bacon
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
- 2 TB brown sugar
- Pinch of black pepper
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Affiliate links provided for your convenience in recreating this recipe;ย disclosure policy available here.
Instructions
To Prep: Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Cut each bacon strip in half and place the bacon slices in a single layer on the prepared pan. Do not overlap.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, and black pepper.
- Brush the maple brown sugar mixture on top of the bacon. Flip each piece of bacon to brush the bottom side too.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until bacon is crispy.
Prep Tips
- For a spicy kick, add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper before baking.
- When making candied bacon, I recommend cooking it so that it is crispy (versus soft) so the sugars have time to really caramelize. However, you want to make sure you take it out of the oven before it starts to turn black or burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Kind Of Bacon To Use To Make Candied Bacon?
The best kind of bacon to use to make candied bacon is thick-cut bacon. Thick-cut bacon has a higher fat content than regular bacon, which helps keep it moist and flavorful during the cooking process. It is also easier to cook just the way you want it because it won’t dry out and burn as quickly.
Another thing to consider when choosing your bacon is whether to use cured bacon or uncured bacon. The main difference between cured and uncured bacon is the use of nitrates or nitrites as a preservative. Cured bacon is preserved using either sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite, which are salts that give bacon its characteristic pink color and flavor. Uncured bacon, is preserved using natural ingredients such as celery juice, sea salt, and herbs. This is simply a personal preference.
How Long Does Candied Bacon Stay Fresh?
Candied bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, you can microwave for a few seconds or you can crisp up again in the oven or toaster oven. Do not leave out at room temperature for more than a couple hours.
How Do You Serve Candied Bacon?
You might be surprised all of the ways you can use candied bacon!
Add a sweet and salty kick to:
- Sandwiches
- Salads
- As a sweet topping for desserts, ice cream, or pastries (like our maple bacon cinnamon rolls)
- As a brunch side dish
Get a Free Printable Copy of our Candied Bacon Recipe:
If you love this recipe too, please rate it!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox.ย Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Soccer Mom Blog
Easy Candied Bacon Recipe
Equipment
- Rimmed Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. bacon
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 TB brown sugar
- 1 pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ยฐF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Cut the bacon strips in half and arrange them on the prepared pan, without overlapping.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, brown sugar, and black pepper.
- Brush the maple sugar mixture on top of the bacon. Flip each piece of bacon to brush the bottom side too.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until bacon is crispy.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin this Easy Candied Bacon recipe on Pinterest:
You might also like:
- Christmas Cream Cheese Mints - December 10, 2024
- Grinch Punch - December 6, 2024
- Meringue Snowmen - December 5, 2024
