Irresistibly Sweet & Savory: The Ultimate Guide to Perfect Candied Bacon in Your Oven
Prepare to elevate your breakfast, brunch, or even your everyday snacking with this incredibly easy recipe for oven-baked candied bacon. This guide will walk you through creating crispy, caramelized bacon strips that are sweet, savory, and utterly addictive. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply treating yourself, this brown sugar bacon recipe is destined to become a beloved staple in your kitchen.
Cooking bacon in the oven is hands down the simplest and most efficient method. It not only minimizes mess but also ensures each slice cooks evenly to a perfect crisp, without constant flipping or grease splatters on your stovetop. In just about 20-25 minutes, you’ll have a batch of beautifully cooked bacon that’s ideal for any occasion.
Discover the Magic of Homemade Candied Bacon
If the concept of candied bacon is new to you, prepare for a delightful culinary revelation. This sweet and savory treat transforms ordinary bacon into something extraordinary. The crispy texture, combined with the rich, caramelized brown sugar coating, creates an irresistible flavor profile that complements a wide range of dishes.
Making this delightful brown sugar bacon in your oven is surprisingly straightforward. There are no complicated techniques involved, just a few simple tips that guarantee perfectly crispy results and make cleanup a breeze. We’ll show you how to achieve that coveted balance of sweet and salty, making this candied bacon a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire.
Why Oven-Baking is the Best Method for Candied Bacon
- Even Cooking: The consistent heat of the oven ensures every strip cooks uniformly, preventing burnt spots or undercooked areas.
- Minimal Mess: Baking bacon on a sheet pan significantly reduces grease splatter, keeping your stovetop clean.
- Hands-Free Convenience: Once in the oven, you’re free to prepare other dishes, eliminating the need for constant monitoring.
- Superior Crispness: A hot oven, especially with the use of a wire rack, promotes air circulation around the bacon, resulting in ultimate crispiness.
- Perfect for Batches: Easily cook large quantities of bacon at once, making it ideal for family breakfasts, brunches, or meal prepping.
Creative Ways to Serve Candied Bacon
While often associated with breakfast, candied bacon is incredibly versatile and can enhance a variety of meals. Its unique sweet-and-savory crunch makes it a fantastic addition to both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy this scrumptious candied bacon recipe:
- Elevate Your Breakfast & Brunch: Candied bacon is a spectacular side dish for almost any breakfast or brunch menu. Serve it alongside fluffy French Toast, stacks of golden Pancakes, hearty German Pancakes, or even a savory Loaded Hashbrowns casserole. It also pairs wonderfully with scrambled eggs, omelets, or breakfast burritos.
- Upgrade Your Sandwiches: Transform your favorite sandwiches with a layer of candied bacon. It adds an incredible depth of flavor and texture to a classic BLT, a gourmet breakfast sandwich, or even a BBQ Chicken Sandwich, providing a sweet counterpoint to smoky and tangy ingredients.
- Enhance Your Salads: Pretty much any salad becomes a gourmet experience with the addition of crispy, sweet bacon. Crumble it over a fresh spinach salad, a vibrant Cobb salad, or incorporate it into hearty dishes like Warm German Potato Salad or BLT Pasta Salad. It’s also fantastic with a Honey Mustard Harvest Salad.
- Savory Wraps & Appetizers: Incorporate candied bacon into wraps for an extra layer of flavor and crunch, perhaps with a wedge salad wrap or a ranch chicken wrap. It also makes an excellent appetizer on its own or as a garnish for cocktails like a Bloody Mary.
Essential Ingredients for Candied Bacon
You’ll be amazed at how few ingredients are needed to create such a spectacular dish. The magic truly happens with just two main components and an optional touch of seasoning to customize your experience.
- Bacon: The star of the show! You can use almost any kind of bacon you prefer.
- Thick-Cut vs. Thin-Cut: Both will work wonderfully, but thick-cut bacon will offer a chewier texture and take slightly longer to cook. Thin-cut bacon will crisp up faster and have a delicate crunch.
- Cured Varieties: Experiment with different types like applewood smoked, hickory smoked, or even uncured bacon for varied flavor bases.
- Turkey Bacon: For a lighter alternative, turkey bacon can also be used, though it may require minor adjustments to cooking time and achieve a slightly different texture.
- Brown Sugar: This is what gives candied bacon its signature sweet, caramelized glaze.
- Light vs. Dark Brown Sugar: You can use either light or dark brown sugar. Dark brown sugar contains more molasses, resulting in a deeper, richer caramel flavor and a slightly stickier finish. Light brown sugar will provide a milder sweetness.
- Alternatives: For a different kind of sweet glaze, consider using maple syrup or honey instead of brown sugar, though the texture and caramelization process might vary slightly.
- Optional Flavorings & Spices: This is where you can get creative and customize your candied bacon to suit your taste buds. Sprinkle these over the brown sugar before baking.
- Warm Spices: A touch of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg can add a cozy, sweet aroma, perfect for holiday brunches.
- Savory Enhancers: Garlic powder or onion powder can introduce a delightful savory depth, contrasting beautifully with the sweetness.
- Earthy & Smoky: Cumin or smoked paprika can deepen the smoky notes of the bacon, adding a complex, earthy dimension.
- A Hint of Heat: For those who love a kick, a tiny sprinkle of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes can provide a subtle spicy finish that balances the sweetness.
- Unique Flavors: Consider cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist, or a dash of espresso powder to deepen the caramel notes.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Candied Bacon in the Oven
Making this crispy, sweet-and-savory bacon is incredibly simple with this oven method. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:
- Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is key to achieving that perfect crisp and caramelization.
- Prepare Your Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. If you have a wire rack that fits inside the baking sheet, place it on top of the lined sheet. Using a wire rack is highly recommended as it allows air to circulate around the bacon, resulting in extra crispiness and allowing excess grease to drip away.
- Arrange the Bacon: Lay the bacon strips in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet (or wire rack). Ensure there’s a little space between each slice to promote even cooking and crispiness. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming rather than crisping.
- First Sugar & Seasoning Application: In a small bowl, mix your chosen flavor variations (if using) with half of the brown sugar. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over one side of the uncooked bacon.
- First Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. The bacon will start to crisp up, and the sugar will begin to melt and caramelize.
- Flip & Second Sugar Application: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Using tongs, flip each bacon slice to the other side. Sprinkle the remaining brown sugar mixture evenly over this side.
- Second Bake & Finish: Return the bacon to the oven and continue to cook for an additional 5-10 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this stage, as the sugar can burn quickly. The cooking time will vary depending on your oven, the thickness of your bacon, and how crispy you like it. The bacon should be deeply golden brown and bubbly.
- Cool and Enjoy: Once the bacon has reached your desired crispiness and caramelization, remove it from the oven. Carefully transfer the hot bacon to a wire cooling rack set over a plate or paper towels. This step is crucial, as the bacon will crisp up further as it cools, and the caramelized sugar will harden into a delicious glaze. Allow it to cool for at least 5-10 minutes before serving.
Exciting Recipe Variations for Candied Bacon
The beauty of candied bacon lies in its adaptability. While the classic brown sugar version is phenomenal, experimenting with different spices can unlock a world of flavor combinations. Here are some popular and creative variations:
- Classic Candied Bacon: Simply sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of brown sugar evenly over each side of the bacon before baking. This yields the perfect balance of sweet and salty.
- Sweet Garlic Bacon: For a savory-sweet twist, combine brown sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. The pungent garlic provides a fantastic counterpoint to the rich sweetness of the caramelized sugar.
- Smokey & Earthy Bacon: Enhance the natural smokiness of the bacon by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin with your brown sugar. This variation adds a warm, earthy depth that’s incredibly satisfying.
- Warm Cinnamon Bacon: Perfect for autumn or holiday breakfasts, combine 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with the brown sugar. The aromatic spice infuses the bacon with a comforting, sweet fragrance.
- Spicy Candied Bacon (Candied “Man Candy”): Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the brown sugar mixture for a delightful sweet and spicy kick. Adjust the amount to your desired level of heat.
- Maple-Glazed Bacon: Instead of brown sugar, brush bacon with pure maple syrup and a sprinkle of black pepper before baking. This creates a sticky, rich, and naturally sweet glaze.
- Black Pepper Candied Bacon: Add a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper to the brown sugar. The sharp, pungent pepper cuts through the sweetness and fat, creating a sophisticated flavor.
- Bourbon Candied Bacon: For a grown-up twist, mix a teaspoon of bourbon into the brown sugar paste before coating the bacon. The alcohol bakes off, leaving behind a subtle, complex boozy note.
Top Tips for Making the Best Candied Bacon
Achieving candied bacon perfection is all about a few key techniques. Keep these tips in mind for consistently delicious results:
- Choose Your Bacon Wisely: Both thick-cut and thin-cut bacon work. Thick-cut will be chewier and richer, while thin-cut will be crispier. Adjust baking time accordingly.
- Use a Wire Rack: This is arguably the most important tip for crispy candied bacon. A wire rack allows hot air to circulate all around the bacon, preventing it from sitting in its own grease and ensuring maximum crispiness.
- Line Your Baking Sheet: Always line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. The caramelized sugar can become very sticky, and lining the pan makes cleanup significantly easier.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Lay bacon strips in a single layer with a little space between each piece. Overlapping or overcrowding will cause the bacon to steam rather than crisp.
- Two-Stage Sugar Application: Sprinkle half of the brown sugar on one side, bake, then flip and sprinkle the remaining half on the other side. This ensures an even, consistent coating and maximizes caramelization.
- Monitor Closely: Candied bacon can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly, especially in the last few minutes of baking. Keep a watchful eye, especially after flipping.
- Cool on a Wire Rack: Once out of the oven, immediately transfer the hot bacon to a clean wire cooling rack. The sugar will harden as it cools, forming a delightful candy-like glaze. Letting it cool on the pan will cause it to stick and potentially become soggy.
- Experiment with Flavors: Don’t be afraid to try different spices like cinnamon, garlic powder, cumin, or even a pinch of cayenne to customize your candied bacon.
- Bake at the Right Temperature: A consistent temperature of 400°F (200°C) is ideal for rendering the fat and achieving a crispy texture without overcooking the meat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Candied Bacon
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to bake your candied bacon. This temperature ensures that the bacon cooks efficiently, renders the fat properly, and achieves a wonderfully crispy texture with perfectly caramelized sugar.
You can make delicious candied bacon with almost any type of bacon you prefer! Thick-cut bacon will yield a chewier, meatier candied strip, while thin-cut bacon will be crispier. Both smoked and unsmoked varieties work well, and even turkey bacon can be used for a lighter option, though the texture will be slightly different.
Absolutely! Parchment paper is an excellent choice for lining your baking sheet. It prevents sticking even better than foil, especially with the sticky caramelized sugar, and makes cleanup incredibly easy.
The key is to monitor the bacon closely, especially during the last 5-7 minutes of baking. Ovens can vary, and sugar can burn quickly. If it looks like it’s browning too fast, you can slightly reduce the oven temperature or remove it a minute or two earlier. Using a wire rack also helps by preventing direct contact with the hot pan.
Several factors can lead to less-than-crispy bacon: overcrowding the baking sheet (which causes steaming), not using a wire rack (which prevents air circulation and lets bacon sit in grease), or baking at too low a temperature. Ensure you follow the tips for placement and use a rack for optimal crispness.
Store any leftover candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It’s still delicious cold, but can also be reheated.
To reheat, you can use a microwave for a quick warm-up (though it might lose some crispness). For best results and to regain crispiness, reheat in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes, or briefly in a dry skillet over medium heat on the stovetop until warmed through and crispy again.
The Best Candied Bacon Oven Recipe
The Carefree Kitchen
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
8
people
Ingredients
-
1
pound
bacon -
6
tablespoons
dark brown sugar -
1/2
teaspoon
seasoning,
Cumin, garlic, cocoa, or cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200°C).
- Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, then lay the bacon on the baking sheet (preferably on a wire rack) in a single layer.
- Sprinkle half of the brown sugar on the bacon along with 1/2 teaspoon of your chosen seasoning (cumin, garlic, cocoa, or cinnamon).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then remove and flip the bacon over. Spread the remaining half of the brown sugar mixture on the bacon and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like your bacon and your oven’s performance. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Remove from the oven and immediately transfer the bacon to a wire cooling rack to cool. Enjoy your perfectly candied bacon!
Notes
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for a quick warm-up, in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for a few minutes to restore crispness, or in a dry saute pan over the stovetop.
Nutrition
Calories:
271
kcal
Carbohydrates:
9
g
Protein:
7
g
Fat:
22
g
Saturated Fat:
7
g
Cholesterol:
37
mg
Sodium:
378
mg
Potassium:
124
mg
Sugar:
8
g
Vitamin A:
20
IU
Calcium:
10
mg
Iron:
0.4
mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Breakfast, Appetizer, Snack
American
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This comprehensive guide has provided you with all the knowledge to master How To Make Candied Bacon perfectly in your oven, complete with diverse flavor variations and expert tips. Get ready for this sweet and savory treat to become your new favorite addition to any meal!