Easy Candied Bacon Recipe (Sweet & Crispy Perfection)

Name: Candied Bacon Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound thick cut bacon; 1 cup light brown sugar, (packed); ½ tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper

This easy candied bacon recipe is pure magic, whether you’re serving it for breakfast or as a show-stopping appetizer. If you’ve never had candied bacon, you are in for a serious treat. It’s the perfect combination of salty, smoky, and crispy bacon with a caramelized, sweet, and sugary coating. Trust me, you’ll be hooked!

This 3 Ingredient Recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can serve it on its own as a snack, on a salad, or crumble it over ice cream. Its savory flavor is the perfect treat to share at parties or to just enjoy on a cozy weekend morning. Once you get a taste of this stuff, you’ll never go back to regular bacon again.

Why we think you’ll love it:

Simple: The recipe uses only 3 ingredients and is ready to serve in 30 minutes.
Garnish: Elevate simple foods like salads, burgers, or even ice cream into a truly decadent experience.
Great Gift: Jarred or boxed, candied bacon makes a unique and thoughtful food gift for the bacon lovers in your life.

Ingredients to make candied bacon on a kitchen counter.

Candied Bacon Ingredients

Thick cut bacon (1 pound)- Hearty slices that crisp up beautifully while holding the sweet coating. You can use thin-cut bacon, but watch carefully to avoid it from becoming over-baked.
Light brown sugar packed (1 cup)- Caramelizes in the oven, giving the bacon a sweet, candied crunch. Stick to light brown sugar as dark brown sugar has too much molasses in it.
Fresh cracked black pepper (½ tablespoon)- Balances the sweetness with a little bite and savory heat. Give it an extra kick and add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, or use sweeter spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.

How to Make Candied Bacon

Thick cut bacon strips set out on a wire rack set above a foil lined pan.

Light brown sugar sprinkles over bacon strips on a wire racks.

PREP. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil (for easier cleanup) and set aside. Place a wire rack on the prepared baking sheet and arrange bacon in a single layer on top so they are not touching.

COAT. Sprinkle the bacon with brown sugar and lightly pat down. Top with fresh cracked pepper.

Crispy baked brown sugar bacon strips on a wire rack.

Candied bacon strips cooling on a pice of parchment paper.

BAKE. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes or until the bacon is crisp. After 5 minutes, remove from the rack and place on a piece of parchment paper to cool completely. The bacon will continue to firm up as it cools. Serve at room temperature.

A set of 6 candied bacon strips wrapped in a piece of parchment paper.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

Baking the bacon on a wire rack allows air to circulate underneath, ensuring it gets crispy on all sides.
It’s okay if the bacon strips touch in places, but don’t let them overlap.
Monitor during the last few minutes, as the sugar can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly.
Give it an extra kick and add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or paprika, or something sweeter like cinnamon or nutmeg.

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Candied Bacon Recipe

By: Kristyn Merkley

This 3-ingredient candied bacon is the perfect balance of sweet and salty and the ultimate upgrade to any gathering.

Servings: 4

Prep: 5

Cook: 20

Rest Time: 5

Total: 30

Video

Ingredients

▢ 1 pound thick cut bacon
▢ 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
▢ ½ tablespoon fresh cracked black pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
Place a wire rack on the prepared baking sheet and arrange bacon on top so they are not touching.
Sprinkle the bacon with brown sugar and lightly pat down. Top with fresh cracked pepper.
Bake for 20 – 30 minutes or until the bacon is crisp.
After 5 minutes, remove from the rack and place on parchment paper to cool completely. The bacon will continue to firm up as it cools. Serve at room temperature.

Notes

Recipe Tips.

Baking the bacon on a wire rack allows air to circulate underneath, ensuring it gets crispy on all sides.
It’s okay if the bacon slices touch in places, but don’t let them overlap.
Monitor during the last few minutes, as the sugar can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly.
Give it an extra kick and add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, or something sweeter like cinnamon or nutmeg.

Store cooled candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheat. Place the bacon on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet and warm it in an oven preheated to 350°F for a few minutes until it is crispy again.

For more substitutions and tips, check out the full recipe post

Nutrition

Calories: 579kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 14g, Fat: 45g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g, Monounsaturated Fat: 20g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 75mg, Sodium: 759mg, Potassium: 271mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 46IU, Calcium: 32mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Why is my bacon chewy?

This usually happens if the bacon was undercooked or if it wasn’t allowed to cool completely, as the bacon will crisp up as it cools down to room temperature.

How to store?

Store cooled candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

How to reheat?

Place the bacon on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet and warm it in an oven preheated to 350°F for a few minutes until it is crispy again.