Candied Bacon

Candied Bacon Ingredients

What is candied bacon anyway? Well, put simply: it’s a two-ingredient magic trick that adds a delicious twist to plain old bacon and elevates your favorite bacon-filled dishes. Here’s the rundown on how to choose the best ingredients for this stellar snack.

Raw bacon slices: You don’t have to break the bank on bacon for this recipe; the caramelization of the sugar transforms even humble slices into magnificent little flavor bombs. Check out our FAQ section below (Should I Use Thick-Cut or Regular Bacon?) for information on using thick-sliced versus regular bacon.

Light brown sugar: We used light brown sugar for this recipe, but read our Variations of Candied Bacon below for ideas of how to play with different sweet options.

Cookware You’ll Need

Our oven candied bacon is a low-effort yet rewarding dish. Here’s what you’ll need for best results.

Plastic food storage bag: Using a resealable food storage plastic bag to shake the bacon with the brown sugar is an easy way to get all the bacon slices evenly coated.

Rimmed sheet pan: We used an 18x13-inch rimmed baking pan, also known as a “half-sheet” pan in restaurant lingo.

Large cooling rack: You will need a large cooling rack that fits inside the rimmed sheet pan. A 16x10-inch rack fits perfectly.

Pastry brush: For coating the bacon with the sugary drippings after you turn it, you will need a pastry brush. We prefer a silicone version instead of the standard natural bristled pastry brush, since silicone doesn’t absorb savory flavors.

That’s all you need for this simple, yet delicious baked candied bacon recipe. Now, get cooking!

How to Make Candied Bacon

Wondering how to make candied bacon? We’ll walk you through the basic steps, then look below for full detailed instructions.

Coat Bacon in Brown Sugar 

Pull apart each bacon slice, and place in a resealable food-storage plastic bag with the brown sugar. Shake vigorously to thoroughly coat the bacon slices with the sugar. You shouldn’t have any sugar left over; it should all be sticking to the bacon. If needed, you can press the sugar against the bacon while it’s still in the bag to help it adhere.

Place the Bacon on the Rack

The key step for this recipe is using a foil-lined rimmed pan with a rack inside to cook the bacon. Generously spray the rack and foil with cooking spray to prevent the caramel from sticking. And be sure to use a rimmed sheet pan to catch the drippings. You don’t want to clean sugary bacon fat off the bottom of your oven! Place the bacon in a single layer on the rack.

Turn and Brush

Turn the bacon slices halfway through cooking. Push the rack to one side of the pan, and carefully tilt the pan to the other side to let the caramel drippings collect. Brush the bacon with the drippings, and continue to bake to desired doneness. 

Variations of Candied Bacon

Candied bacon isn't just any bacon; it's the upgraded, luxurious version that tantalizes your taste buds with every bite. Our brown sugar bacon recipe has a perfect balance of sweet and savory. It will leave you with a taste you'll crave time and again.

With just couple simple ingredients, you can create a gourmet treat. Now that you know the basic technique for making candied bacon, feel free to experiment with different combinations. You could try using other sweet ingredients like dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, pepper jelly, maple syrup, or honey. Also, a sprinkle of cayenne, chili powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or your other favorite spices can add tons of flavor and interest. When making changes to the recipe, just be sure to watch the bacon carefully during cooking to ensure none of the added ingredients get too dark or begin to burn. 

Serving Candied Bacon

This candied bacon recipe works well on its own as an elevated version of standard bacon for any breakfast spread. But it’s also great as a salad topping, on a sandwich, or in most recipes containing cooked bacon.

For ideas of how to use our candied bacon recipe, peruse our collection of bacon recipes, and pick your favorites. One note: only use candied bacon as a substitute for recipes that call for fully cooked bacon.

Broccoli Bacon Salad is one of our most popular bacon-packed recipes. With its fresh broccoli, creamy dressing, and crunchy sunflower seeds, this recipe is great after a couple of hours in the fridge, but it’s even better the next day!

Bacon Cornbread welcomes sweet candied bacon to a southern-style buttermilk cornbread. It is a great side for all sorts of southern dishes, from fried chicken to beans and greens.

Grilled Three-Cheese Bacon Sandwiches, while excellent with regular cooked bacon, truly benefit from the added flavor and texture of candied bacon. Try it out and let us know what you think!

Storing Candied Bacon

Candied bacon can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It can be used cold, or reheated. To reheat, microwave uncovered on High on a microwavable plate in 15-second intervals, until hot. Do not cover or place on paper towels, as the caramel will stick to paper towels.

We do not recommend freezing candied bacon, as the texture does not hold up through freezing and thawing.