Description
This Easy Candied Bacon recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Thick-sliced bacon is coated with a sticky glaze made from brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup, then baked to crispy perfection. Ideal as a snack, appetizer, or a decadent addition to breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Candied Bacon
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- Black pepper, about 1 tablespoon or to taste
- 1 pound thick-sliced bacon
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Glaze: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine the light brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup, stirring well until the sugar is fully dissolved. Add black pepper according to your taste preference.
- Setup Baking Surface: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. Place a wire rack on top and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the rack to ensure even baking.
- Initial Baking: Bake the bacon in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Then, turn the strips over and bake for an additional 5 minutes to start rendering the fat and browning the bacon.
- Apply Glaze: Remove the bacon from the oven and brush the top side generously with the prepared brown sugar glaze. Return the bacon to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes.
- Repeat Glazing and Baking: Continue the process of turning the bacon strips every 5 minutes and brushing them with more glaze. Keep baking until the bacon is deeply browned, crisp, and caramelized, which will take between 30 to 45 minutes depending on bacon thickness.
- Cooling and Serving: Once cooked to desired crispiness, let the candied bacon cool on the rack for about 10 minutes to set the glaze. Transfer to a platter for serving.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining freshness and crispness.
Notes
- Using a wire rack allows fat to drip away and promotes even cooking and crispiness.
- Adjust black pepper quantity to your spice preference, though about 1 tablespoon provides a nice balance.
- The candied bacon can be served as a sweet-savory snack, crumbled over salads, or alongside breakfast favorites.
- For easier cleanup, lining the baking sheet with foil is recommended.
- Thickness of bacon impacts cooking time—thicker slices require longer baking to become fully crisped and caramelized.
