Description
This Easy Candied Bacon recipe transforms thick-sliced bacon into a sweet and savory treat with a glossy glaze of brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup. Baked to crispy perfection in the oven, the bacon is brushed repeatedly with the flavorful glaze, creating a beautifully caramelized and addictive snack or appetizer that pairs wonderfully with breakfast or as a decadent addition to salads and sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
Glaze
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- Black pepper, about 1 tablespoon or to taste
Bacon
- 1 pound thick-sliced bacon
Instructions
- Prepare the glaze mix: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the light brown sugar, rice vinegar, and maple syrup. Stir the mixture thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely. Add black pepper to taste, approximately 1 tablespoon, and mix well to create a flavorful glaze.
- Set up baking surface: Line a large rimmed baking sheet or sheet pan with aluminum foil to simplify cleanup. Place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the thick-sliced bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack ensuring they do not overlap for even cooking.
- Initial baking: Bake the bacon in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, carefully turn each strip over to ensure even cooking on both sides, then bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Apply glaze the first time: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and use a brush to coat the top side of each bacon strip generously with the prepared brown sugar glaze. Return the bacon to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, allowing the glaze to begin caramelizing.
- Repeat glazing and baking: Repeat the process of turning the bacon strips and brushing them with the glaze every 5 minutes. Continue this cycle of turning and glazing until the bacon is deeply browned and crisp. This can take between 30 to 45 minutes or longer depending on the thickness of the bacon. The repeated glazing creates a sticky, candied coating.
- Cool and serve: Once done, remove the bacon from the oven and allow it to cool on the wire rack for about 10 minutes. This resting period lets the glaze set and bacon crisp up further. Transfer the candied bacon to a serving platter and enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Using thick-sliced bacon is key for the best texture and candied effect.
- Adjust the amount of black pepper according to your spice preference; it balances the sweetness nicely.
- Allow bacon to cool completely on the rack to maintain crispiness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently if desired.
- You can experiment with adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the glaze for an extra kick.
