Candied Maple Bacon

Name: Candied Maple Bacon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces bacon; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

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Candied maple bacon hits all the flavor notes that you crave. It's sweet, salty, smoky, a little spicy and the perfect combination of crispy and chewy bacon goodness. This cracked bacon recipe makes a unique snack or a next-level breakfast side to French toast or pancakes.

A jar loaded with shiny candied maple bacon.

Bacon on its own is pretty darn good, so it's hard to believe you can improve bacon. Move over boring ol' bacon 'cause I'm about to show you how to make this sweet and savory magical bacon recipe that will make your mouth water.

No matter what you call it – cracked bacon, candied bacon, candied maple bacon, million dollar bacon, pig candy, man candy – it's totally addictive. It's also totally easy to make so you can keep this yummy maple candied bacon on hand as a snack, an appetizer or as an exciting addition to your morning breakfast routine.

I especially like it crumbled on Old Fashioned Buttermilk Pancakes. Drizzle with a little Maple syrup and you have a delicious breakfast or brunch treat!

Ingredients

Bacon – Use your favorite bacon. A thick-cut bacon is a great choice, but any bacon will work.
Maple Syrup – Use real maple syrup rather than pancake syrup. I love Maple Syrup made in Vermont.
Brown Sugar – I used light brown sugar because it's milder in flavor, although you can substitute dark brown sugar in a pinch.
Black Pepper – Pepper adds mild spiciness. Adjust the amount to personal taste.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Maple syrup, brown sugar and pepper is mixed together.

In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, brown sugar and pepper together.

Bacon slices are placed on a baking sheet and brushed with maple syrup mixture.

Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet pan and brush both sides of bacon with the maple syrup mixture.

Bake in a preheated 400 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until the bacon reaches the desired level of doneness.

Allow the cracked bacon to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Hint: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up. I love the precut parchment sheets.

Variations/ Substitutions

Add Nuts - For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the bacon before cooking.
Spicy Maple Bacon - Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the syrup mixture for a spicy kick.

Equipment

Use a large baking sheet and line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup. You can also cook the bacon on an oven-proof baking rack over a lined baking sheet.

If you are cooking enough candied maple bacon to fill two baking sheets, rotate the baking sheets halfway through the cooking time.

Leftovers/ Storage

Store the leftover cracked bacon strips in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Lay parchment paper between the slices to prevent them from sticking together.

Reheat on a baking sheet in a 400 degrees F oven for 3-4 minutes or until crispy. You can also reheat in the microwave in 20 second increments. Place the bacon on a plate and cover with paper towels.

A hand holds a piece of cracked bacon with a jar of bacon in the background.

Top Tips to Making Candied Bacon

Select thick sliced bacon.
Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
Brush both sides of the bacon with the maple syrup mixture.
Use a silicone pastry brush to brush with maple brown sugar mixture.
Line your baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil.
If using two baking sheets, rotate the sheets halfway through the baking time.
Allow the bacon to cool for about 5 minutes before removing it from the pan.

FAQ

Do I need to use thick cut bacon or regular bacon?

While you can use regular bacon, we recommend using thick-cut bacon. Thicker slices of bacon will cook until the candied maple layer is set without risk of burning.

Can I make Candied Maple Bacon in the air fryer?

Yes! Follow the same steps to make this in the air fryer. You may need to reduce the cooking time by a few minutes as the air fryer will cook a little faster.

More Recipes for Breakfast and Brunch

Candied bacon makes a great snack but it's also the perfect addition to breakfast or brunch. Serve the sweet and smoky strips as a side to these breakfast and brunch main events.

Candied Maple Bacon Pin with text overlay for social media.

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RECIPE

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