Description
This Candied Bacon recipe transforms regular bacon into a sweet and savory treat, coated with a mixture of light brown sugar, paprika, black pepper, and cinnamon. Baked in the oven until caramelized and crispy, it’s perfect as a snack, appetizer, or a flavorful addition to breakfast dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 12 slices bacon (not thick-cut)
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked is great)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the bacon evenly and allowing the sugar to caramelize properly.
- Make the sugar mixture: In a small bowl, combine the light brown sugar, paprika, freshly ground black pepper, and cinnamon, mixing them thoroughly to create the flavorful coating for the bacon.
- Prepare the baking sheets: Line two medium baking sheets with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then place an oven-safe wire rack on each sheet. This setup allows excess fat to drip while baking.
- Arrange the bacon: Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on the wire racks, positioning them perpendicular to the rack lines and ensuring they do not overlap to allow for even cooking.
- Apply the sugar mixture: Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over each strip of bacon, using about one teaspoon per strip and spreading it to cover the entire surface for maximum flavor and caramelization.
- Position racks in oven: Place one rack in the top third and the other in the bottom third of the preheated oven to ensure even heat distribution while baking.
- Bake the bacon: Bake the bacon strips for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through cooking to promote uniform browning and crispiness.
- Monitor doneness: Begin checking the bacon at around 17-18 minutes, as cooking times may vary and some slices could crisp faster; look for a deep brown color with melted sugar crust.
- Cool the bacon: Once done, carefully let the bacon cool on the wire racks so the melted sugar hardens, resulting in the signature candied finish.
- Serve: Transfer the cooled candied bacon to a plate and serve as a sweet and savory snack or complement to your meal.
Notes
- Use regular, not thick-cut bacon for best results; thick-cut bacon may require longer cooking times.
- Keep an eye on the bacon near the end of cooking to prevent sugar from burning.
- Letting the bacon cool on the wire rack is essential for the sugar to harden and create a crispy texture.
- Smoked paprika enhances the flavor but you can use regular paprika if preferred.
- This recipe makes a great addition to salads, sandwiches, or breakfast dishes like pancakes and waffles.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: candied bacon, sweet bacon, bacon recipe, baked bacon, smoked paprika, caramelized bacon
