Description
A delicious and easy-to-make Candied Bacon recipe that combines the sweetness of brown sugar with a blend of spicy peppers, baked or air-fried to crispy perfection. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or as a savory-sweet garnish for various dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
For Candied Bacon
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner, parchment paper, or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Lay out the uncooked thick-cut bacon slices evenly on the baking sheet, ensuring they do not overlap.
- Mix the Spice Blend: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cracked black pepper, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir until well blended to create your flavorful sugar-spice coating.
- Coat the Bacon: Sprinkle the sugar and spice mixture generously over the bacon slices, making sure to fully coat each piece. Use your hands to gently press the mixture onto the bacon, ensuring it adheres well.
- Bake the Bacon: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. Begin checking the bacon around 30 minutes for doneness and crispiness, then continue cooking in increments if needed until the bacon is golden brown and crispy.
- Cool and Harden: Remove the bacon from the oven and carefully transfer the slices to a cooling rack. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes on the rack, allowing the caramelized sugar coating to harden and the bacon to crisp up fully.
- Alternative Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Spray the air fryer basket lightly with olive oil. Coat the bacon with the prepared sugar and spice mixture as before, then arrange the slices in the basket without overcrowding. Air fry for 8 minutes, checking halfway through at 4 minutes to rearrange the slices for even cooking and crispiness.
- Serve: Once cooled and crisp, serve the candied bacon as a sweet and spicy treat or use as a flavorful topping or ingredient in your favorite dishes.
Notes
- Always use thick-cut bacon for best texture and flavor in this recipe.
- If your baking sheet is not large enough to fit all slices in a single layer, use two sheet pans to avoid overcrowding.
- Allowing the bacon to cool completely is crucial to let the sugar coating harden and achieve the perfect crunch.
- Ovens vary in heat output; check the bacon early if your oven runs hot to prevent burning and adjust cooking time or temperature accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 slices (approx. 56g)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
