Maple Candied Bacon Recipe
This Maple Candied Bacon Recipe is cooked to sweet and salty perfection with maple syrup, brown sugar, and a little zing from black pepper making it a delicious appetizer. It’s the perfect accompaniment to any breakfast, brunch, or sandwich. Easy to make and utterly addicting, this recipe is a must-try for bacon lovers.
Candied bacon isn’t just for breakfast; it’s also a fantastic choice for appetizer recipes and snacks. This mouthwatering treat combines the smoky, savory goodness of crispy bacon with the rich, caramelized sweetness of pure maple syrup, creating a flavor explosion that’s hard to resist. I can never get enough of it!
The crispy, sweet, and salty flavors of this candied bacon with maple syrup goes great with Cinnamon French Toast or scrambled eggs and would be a perfect addition to this Mini Pancake Muffin Charcuterie Board. I love to crumble the tasty treat and add it to salads instead of plain bacon bits. Adding this gourmet bacon to any dish elevates the taste and texture.
If you think bacon is the perfect food, you haven’t tried this way. This recipe is just magical. It could be caramelized brown sugar or crispy edges of the salty bacon. All I know is together it is an irresistible combination that I can never get enough of.
Maple Candied Bacon
Whether you call this maple candied bacon, pig candy, or millionaire’s bacon it’s a simple recipe with just a few ingredients that turns into the most decadent maple bacon bites. Thick sliced bacon, light brown sugar, pure maple syrup, and a little black pepper are all you need. There’s no frying in this bacon recipe. You bake the bacon in the oven until it’s caramelized and crispy. The result is bacon candy, making it a truly addicting treat.
Whether you like your bacon extra crispy or a little on the chewy side, maple candied bacon is sure to become a new favorite.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
- For best results, use thick-cut bacon, however; regular sliced bacon works well, too.
- Do not use pancake syrup for this recipe, it will not give you the same sweet results. Pure maple syrup is what you need.
- Add some spicy brown mustard to the maple syrup mixture for a different taste twist.
- For more spice, replace the black pepper with a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use a rimmed baking pan, not a flat cookie sheet or baking pan. The sides will contain the drippings as the bacon cooks.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat.
- You can line your baking pan with aluminum foil, but be sure to spray it with nonstick spray.
- Dark brown sugar can be used in place of the light brown sugar.
- The bacon is best eaten the same day it’s made. It will lose its crispness after that.
Other ways to use this sweet and salty snack: crumble it over a fresh green salad for a crunchy, flavorful topping, or use it to enhance the flavor of a creamy pasta dish. You can even incorporate it into baked goods like muffins or scones for a surprising twist.
Can I make candied bacon on the stovetop?
I do not recommend cooking this recipe on the stovetop. For the glaze to really coat and stick to the bacon, it needs to be baked.
Can I make bacon in the air fryer?
Yes, just follow the same steps for the oven to prepare the bacon. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees, then place the bacon strips in a single layer in the basket. It may only need 15 – 20 minutes total to air fry, so keep an eye on it.
As if regular crispy fried bacon isn’t delicious on its own, adding a maple glaze to the meat amps up that goodness. Best to make a double batch because it will go FAST.
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Best Tools for Making Bacon Candy
These are the recommended tools to use in making this recipe. See the timesaving tips section for other suggestions.
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Ingredients
Ingredients for this recipe are simple and readily available at your local grocery store. I try to keep a package or two of bacon in my freezer for this recipe.
- ½ pound thick sliced bacon
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Pro Tip: Looking for a unique and delicious gift idea? Candied bacon makes for a gourmet treat that’s sure to impress. Packaged in a beautiful jar or wrapped in parchment paper, it’s the perfect present for food lovers or to add to a holiday food package.
How to Make Maple Brown Sugar Bacon
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, and black pepper and mix until well combined.
Cut the bacon strips in half and place them on the baking sheet in a single layer. Do not overlap them.
Brush the maple mixture over the bacon on both sides. Don’t be stingy, use all of the mixture.
Bake for 18-20 minutes in the oven or until crispy and done. Serve and enjoy.
Candied bacon also pairs well with rich, creamy cheeses and fresh fruits like apples or pears, creating a wonderful treat when added to an Easy Brunch Charcuterie Board.
What to Serve with Maple Bacon
While you can serve this treat with almost any breakfast or brunch foods, you can also serve it as an appetizer, or with muffins, or just eat it like “candy”.
- Mini Pancake Muffins
- Blueberry Pancakes
- Oven Roasted Breakfast Potatoes
- Sourdough Pancakes with Hibiscus Syrup
- Individual Charcuterie Cups
My personal preference is to add it to my salads or as a topper to roasted green beans and to add it as a garnish on baked beans.
Be sure to save this recipe for the holidays. The candied meat will be a perfect addition to your dessert table as that unique and delectable treat.
Printable Recipe Card
Maple Candied Bacon Recipe
Equipment
- small bowl
Ingredients
- ½ pound thick cut bacon slices
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, brown sugar, and black pepper and mix until well combined.
- Cut the bacon strips in half and place them on the baking sheet in a single layer. Do not overlap them.
- Brush the maple mixture over the bacon on both sides. Don’t be stingy, use all of the mixture.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes in the oven or until crispy and done. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- For best results, use thick-cut bacon, however; regular sliced bacon works well, too.
- Do not use pancake syrup for this recipe, it will not give you the same sweet results. Pure maple syrup is what you need.
- Add some spicy brown mustard to the maple syrup mixture for a different taste twist.
- For more spice, replace the black pepper with a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Use a rimmed baking pan, not a flat cookie sheet or baking pan. The sides will contain the drippings as the bacon cooks.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat.
- You can line your baking pan with aluminum foil, but be sure to spray it with nonstick spray.
- Dark brown sugar can be used in place of the light brown sugar.
- The bacon is best eaten the same day it’s made. It will lose its crispness after that.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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