Description
Sweet and Spicy Candied Bacon is a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors baked to crispy perfection. Thin slices of bacon are coated with a mixture of dark brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, then baked on a rack to allow even cooking and caramelized edges. This crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack combines the richness of bacon with a delightful spicy-sweet glaze, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 lb. bacon (thin slices preferred, but use your favorite)
- 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste for spiciness)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the sugar mixture: In a medium glass bowl, thoroughly mix together the dark brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Set this spicy-sweet seasoning aside to use after the initial baking phase.
- Prepare the baking setup: Do not preheat the oven at this point. Cover a rimmed cookie sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean-up, then place a cooling rack on top. Spray the cooling rack with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the bacon: Drape the strips of bacon across the cooling rack, spacing them slightly apart. If necessary, cut some slices in half to fill in any large gaps evenly across the rack.
- Bake the bacon initially: Position the cookie sheet on the middle rack of your oven and turn the temperature to 375°F (190°C). Bake the bacon for 20 minutes to render fat and start crisping the edges.
- Flip and coat with sugar mixture: Remove the bacon from the oven and carefully flip each slice. Sprinkle the previously prepared brown sugar, cayenne, and black pepper mixture evenly over each slice. This step adds the signature sweet-spicy glaze.
- Finish baking: Return the bacon to the oven and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Keep a close eye during the last 5 minutes to prevent burning, as the sugar can caramelize quickly.
- Cool and serve: Once baked to desired crispiness and glaze, let the bacon cool slightly so the sugar coating sets perfectly. Serve warm or at room temperature for a deliciously addictive savory snack.
Notes
- Using a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet allows the bacon to cook evenly and the fat to drip away, resulting in crispier bacon.
- Aluminum foil lining the baking sheet makes cleanup quick and easy.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity according to your heat preference; you can omit it completely for a milder version.
- Watch the bacon closely in the last minutes of baking to avoid burning the sugar coating, which caramelizes very quickly.
- Thin bacon works best for even cooking and crisp glazing, but thicker cuts can be used if adjusted for longer baking time.