This Maple Candied Bacon is the ultimate sweet and savory treat! It’s crispy, smoky bacon with a delicious caramelized coating of maple syrup and brown sugar. I love how this recipe is both easy to make and incredibly addictive. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, a snack, or even as a topping for desserts. Get ready for a treat that will have everyone asking for more!
Why You’ll Love This Maple Candied Bacon
- Sweet and Savory: The combination of maple syrup, brown sugar, and smoky bacon is a flavor explosion.
- Crispy and Delicious: Baking the bacon on a wire rack ensures it gets perfectly crispy.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Versatile: Enjoy it on its own, crumble it over salads, add it to sandwiches, or use it as a topping for desserts.
Ingredients for Maple Candied Bacon
Here’s what you’ll need to make this addictive treat. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Thick cut bacon (Meat)
- Maple syrup (Sweetener)
- Brown sugar (Sweetener)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Maple Candied Bacon as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the maple syrup mixture.
- Different Spices: Add a pinch of black pepper, red pepper flakes, or smoked paprika to the brown sugar.
- Use a Different Sweetener: Try using honey or agave nectar instead of maple syrup.
- Add Nuts: Sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts over the bacon before baking.
How to Make Maple Candied Bacon
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Maple Candied Bacon:
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
- I preheat oven to 400F/200C.
- Place bacon on wire rack.
Prepare Bacon
- I place the bacon on a wire rack on a foil-lined baking pan. This is important for allowing the bacon to cook evenly and get crispy.
Brush and Sprinkle
- I brush the top of the bacon with maple syrup.
- I sprinkle on some brown sugar.
Bake
- I bake in a preheated 400F/200C oven for 15 minutes.
Flip, Brush, and Sprinkle
- I flip the bacon.
- I brush with maple syrup.
- I sprinkle on the brown sugar.
Bake Again
- I bake for another 15 minutes, or until it reaches the desired level of crispiness.
Cool and Serve
- Cool before serving
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Candied Bacon
Here are my secrets for making this bacon truly exceptional:
- Use Thick-Cut Bacon: Thick-cut bacon holds its shape better and becomes nice and crispy.
- Wire Rack: Baking the bacon on a wire rack allows the air to circulate around it, resulting in even cooking and crispiness.
- Don’t Overcrowd: Make sure the bacon slices are not overlapping on the baking sheet.
- Watch Carefully: Keep an eye on the bacon while it’s baking to prevent it from burning. The sugar can caramelize quickly.
- Cool Completely: Let the bacon cool completely on the wire rack. It will crisp up more as it cools.
How to Serve
This Maple Candied Bacon is delicious:
- On its Own: A perfect snack any time of day.
- Breakfast or Brunch: Serve it alongside eggs, pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Salads: Crumble it over salads for added flavor and texture.
- Sandwiches: Add it to sandwiches or burgers.
- Desserts: Use it as a topping for ice cream, cupcakes, or donuts.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can store leftover candied bacon in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently in the oven or air fryer to re-crisp it.
FAQs about Maple Candied Bacon
- Can I use a different type of bacon?
- Thick-cut bacon is recommended for this recipe, but you can use regular bacon. Just be aware that it may cook faster.
- Can I make this without the brown sugar?
- The brown sugar adds sweetness and helps the bacon caramelize, but you can omit it if you prefer.
- Can I grill this bacon?
- Yes you can.
Enjoy this sweet, savory, crispy, and utterly addictive Maple Candied Bacon! It’s a perfect treat for any occasion.
Print
Maple Candied Bacon
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Maple Candied Bacon is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and smoky. Thick-cut bacon is brushed with maple syrup and sprinkled with brown sugar, then baked until crispy and caramelized. It’s an irresistible treat for breakfast, brunch, or as a unique snack.
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the foil-lined baking sheet. The wire rack is essential for allowing air to circulate around the bacon, resulting in even cooking and crispiness.
- Arrange Bacon: Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack. Do not overcrowd the bacon.
- First Glaze: Brush the top side of each bacon slice generously with maple syrup. Sprinkle a generous amount of brown sugar evenly over the maple syrup.
- Bake (First Side): Bake for 15 minutes.
- Flip, Glaze, and Bake Again: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Using tongs, flip each bacon slice over. Brush the second side with maple syrup and sprinkle with brown sugar. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness. The total baking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon and your oven.
- Cool
Notes
- Thick-Cut Bacon: Thick-cut bacon is recommended for this recipe because it holds up well to the glaze and baking time. Regular-cut bacon can be used, but watch it very carefully to prevent burning, and reduce the cooking time.
- Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for the best flavor.
- Brown Sugar: You can use light or dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar will have a more intense molasses flavor.
- Wire Rack: Using a wire rack is essential for crispy bacon. It allows air to circulate around the bacon and prevents it from sitting in its own grease.
- Baking Time: The baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your bacon. Keep a close eye on the bacon during the last few minutes of baking to prevent burning.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this candied bacon as a side dish for breakfast or brunch, crumble it over salads, use it as a topping for desserts, or enjoy it on its own as a snack.
- Storage: store in the fridge.