You'll want to make a double batch of The Best Easy Candied Bacon because it will disappear quickly! Serve it for breakfast or brunch, as an appetizer or a snack. This sweet and salty recipe is only 2 ingredients and quick and easy to make.
It really can't get much easier (or yummier) than sprinkling brown sugar on bacon and baking it. The result is sweet and savory strips of candied bacon that can easily be eaten with your fingers.
You can do this! It's so easy!
This 2 ingredient recipe is the base for plenty of variations! Sprinkle a little black pepper, cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for a sweet & spicy version. This one is sometimes called Millionaire or Million Dollar Candied Bacon.
Maple Candied Bacon is made by drizzling a bit of real maple syrup on the bacon. Go sparingly on the maple syrup as it sometimes causes the bacon to stick to the pan.
What you'll need to make Candied Bacon
- Bacon
- Brown Sugar
It's that simple! Two ingredients.
For complete, detailed directions scroll down for the printable recipe.
What kind of bacon is best?
First of all, any bacon is good bacon. Am I right?
But, for Candied Bacon, I prefer the thick cut bacon. Thick cut bacon provides a firmer foundation to hold onto all that brown sugar. I've made it with both kinds and found that the regular cut bacon has a tendency to burn if you don't watch it closely.
I love it made with both cuts of bacon! It's truly addicting and makes me happy happy.
As far as brands of bacon go, I love Conecuh thick cut bacon when I can find it. It has just the right amount of smokey flavor and a good pork to marbled fat ratio. I'm also partial to it because it is made in Alabama and I always try to shop local when I can.
How to make Candied Bacon in the oven
- Lay the bacon on an aluminum foil-lined pan. I prefer foil to parchment paper here for easy clean up. It's ok for the bacon to touch but not overlap.
- For Sweet & Spicy Candied Bacon, sprinkle black pepper, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes on the bacon.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly on just one side of the bacon and gently press down with fingertips. (1 tablespoon per piece of bacon.)
- Bake thick cut bacon at 350F for 20 to 22 minutes or just until the bacon is browned and crispy on the outside edges. The rest of the bacon will firm up when it cools. For regular cut bacon, bake for 17 to 18 minutes or until edges are crispy.
Watch the bacon closely so that it doesn't burn. Some bacon is cut thinner than others.
No need to turn the bacon when cooked in the oven.
- IMMEDIATELY remove bacon from the sheet pan with tongs to a cooling rack. Do not place on paper towels as you would normally do with bacon. Candied Bacon will stick to paper towels. If Candied Bacon is not removed from the pan soon, it will stick to the foil.
Although the melted brown sugar may burn around the edges of the pan, it shouldn't burn the bacon. This is why you watch it closely.
- Let cool completely on parchment paper, silicone baking mat, or other nonstick surface. Just like homemade candy, if you try to eat it before it cools, it may stick to your teeth. And it's HOT before it cools.
How to serve Candied Bacon
- Christmas Brunch
- Breakfast in bed for Valentines Day
- Breakfast for Mothers Day or Fathers Day
- Brunch for a special occasion
- On a grilled burger
- In a Jarcuterie (Charcuterie in a Jar) or Charcuterie Board
- Use short strips of Candied Bacon as crackers to scoop Jalapeno Pimiento Cheese
- Dessert
- Snack
- Wrapped in a cellophane bag with a ribbon as a gift
- With a cup of coffee and a good book!
How to store Candied Bacon
Candied bacon is not shelf stable. While it can sit out at room temperature for most of one day, in a cool dry environment, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator.
Since the atmosphere in a refrigerator is fairly moist, it is a good idea to layer the candied bacon between sheets of parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking together.
Can I make Candied Bacon in the airfryer?
Absolutely! There are a few differences in how to cook it other than the obvious oven vs. air fryer difference. Check out my step by step post on how to make Easy Air Fryer Candied Bacon.
Other breakfast recipes you will love
- Bacon Sausage Strata Breakfast Casserole
- Double Stuffed Cinnamon Rolls
- Banana Pancakes (King Cake Pancakes)
- 2 Ingredients Biscuits
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The Best Easy Candied Bacon
Equipment
- sheet pan
Ingredients
- 10 slices bacon (thick cut or regular)
- 10 tablespoons light brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
- Lay the bacon on an aluminum foil-lined pan. I prefer foil to parchment paper here for easy clean up. It's ok for the bacon to touch but not overlap.
- For Sweet & Spicy Candied Bacon, sprinkle black pepper, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes on the bacon
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly on just one side of the bacon and gently press down with fingertips. (1 tablespoon per piece of bacon.)
- Bake thick cut bacon at 350F for 20 to 22 minutes or just until the bacon is browned and crispy on the outside edges. The rest of the bacon will firm up when it cools. For regular cut bacon, bake for 17 to 18 minutes or until edges are crispy. No need to turn the bacon.
- IMMEDIATELY remove bacon from the sheet pan with tongs to a cooling rack. Do not place on paper towels as you would normally do with bacon. Candied Bacon will stick to paper towels. If Candied Bacon is not removed from the pan soon, it will stick to the foil.
- Although the melted brown sugar may burn around the edges of the pan, it shouldn't burn the bacon. This is why you watch it closely.
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