Candied Bacon
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This crispy Candied Bacon is the perfect mix of sweet and salty! Coated in brown sugar and maple syrup and baked until caramelized, it’s an irresistible treat for breakfast, brunch, or snacking.

Elevate your brunch game and try out this easy candied bacon recipe your whole family will love. A little chewy, a little crispy and a whole lot of flavor, candy bacon is bound to become a new go-to recipe every time you serve brunch. The maple syrup and brown sugar mixture is brushed onto both sides of each slice of bacon and baked to make a delicious glaze.
Your batch of bacon candy is going to disappear fast! Whether you prefer the flavor from salty, smoky bacon or sweet caramelized sugar, candied bacon is enjoyed by everyone – especially as a garnish in a delicious Bloody Mary.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- In only 40 minutes, you will have a crispy, sweet yet savory and slightly smoky side dish that will get rave reviews.
- Candied bacon is a great side for breakfast, brunch or even as an appetizer on game day.
- You only need 3 ingredients to make this flavorful dish.
Ingredients For Candied Bacon
- Thick cut bacon – Thick cut is the tastiest for candied bacon! You can use regular cut bacon but you’ll need to keep a close eye on the oven so it doesn’t burn. You will also need more slices.
- Brown sugar – This will caramelize and give the bacon a deep sweet flavor. Use a light brown sugar for the best results as dark brown sugar contains more molasses and will have a stronger taste.
- Maple syrup – You want to use real maple syrup, not artificially flavored table syrup.
How To Make Candied Bacon
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the brown sugar and maple syrup.
- Place an oven-safe wire rack on a rimmed sheet pan lined with aluminum foil. Put the bacon slices on the wire rack and brush the maple syrup mixture onto one side of the bacon. Then flip the bacon over and brush the otherside with the maple syrup mixture.
- Place the bacon in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until crispy.
- Remove the bacon from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Pro Tips
- Whoops! Out of aluminum foil? Sub in a piece of parchment paper for easier clean up.
- If you are feeling adventurous, feel free to experiment and add different spices to your syrup and sugar mixture like ground black pepper, cinnamon, rosemary or chipotle, to name a few.
Whether you serve this with a meal, as an appetizer, a snack or use it as a garnish, double up the recipe because it is going to fly off the plate! Candied bacon will quickly become a frequently requested dish at your breakfast table.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Candied Bacon Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 12 slices thick cut bacon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the brown sugar and maple syrup.
- Place a wire rack on a baking sheet lined with foil. Put the bacon on the wire rack and brush the maple syrup mixture onto one side of the bacon. Then flip the bacon over and brush the otherside with the maple syrup mixture.
- Place the bacon in the preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until crispy.
- Remove the bacon from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving.
Tips
Nutrition Information
Storage And Reheating
Fridge: Once cooled, store leftover candied bacon in the fridge, separated by parchment paper, for up to 7 days.
Freezer: You can definitely freeze any extra candied bacon to save it for another time. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before storing in a freezer bag. Thaw as needed in the fridge overnight or in the microwave.
Reheat candied bacon in the oven until warm or in the microwave. The air fryer would also be a great way to reheat and keep the bacon’s crispy texture.
Should I Serve Candied Bacon Warm Or Cold?
Once the bacon is baked, allow it to cool to about room temperature to serve. If you are pulling it out of the fridge, warm it slightly but ultimately, candied bacon is best served at room temperature.
How To Serve Candied Bacon
The options are endless with this delicious side dish. If you’re serving a crowd, make the bacon ahead of time to serve along with filling Sheet Pan Eggs, or a cheesy Crescent Roll Breakfast Casserole. A fresh Fruit Salad always goes a long way and adds some color to everyone’s plate. Don’t forget about favorite brunch items like Pancakes and Waffles. Whatever your family loves for breakfast – candied bacon is a great addition!
Crumble up some candied bacon to elevate a nostalgic Watergate Salad or a quick Broccoli Salad. Sweet, savory and smoky bacon will even be delicious in a simple grilled cheese.
More Great Brunch Side Dishes
- Handheld Lemon Turnovers are always great to offer at brunch. Store bought puff pastry is the best shortcut to these lemon cream stuffed breakfast treats.
- Super moist, chocolatey and loaded with those ripe bananas you’ve got waiting in your freezer, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is going to be a hit! The best part? This is a one-bowl recipe so clean up is a breeze.
- A great way to add a little extra protein to everyone’s dish is by offering Hard Boiled Eggs. Step by step instructions make it so simple, you’ll start to include boiled eggs as part of your weekly meal prep.
- If your family loves a filled donut, surprise them with homemade Boston Cream Donuts this weekend. These airy donuts are filled with creamy custard and dipped into a rich chocolate ganache. Everyone will think you’ve gone to the local bakery for this treat.
Leave a Comment