Easy Candied Bacon: Irresistibly cheesy and crispy.

A Happy Accident

I first made this by mistake. I was trying to make a glaze for a ham. I got the bowls mixed up. I poured it on the bacon instead. I still laugh at that.

But oh, what a happy mistake it was. The sweet and salty mix was perfect. It was so good, my grandson ate the whole tray. Now I make it just for him.

Why This Tastes So Good

This recipe matters because it brings people joy. It turns a simple breakfast food into a special treat. It makes any morning feel like a weekend.

The sugar gets all crispy. The pepper gives it a little kick. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It fills your whole kitchen with a warm, sweet smell.

Let’s Get Cooking

First, mix your sugar, syrup, and vinegar. Stir it until the sugar disappears. That’s your magic glaze.

Lay your bacon on a rack. Bake it for a little while first. This helps the fat cook off. Then you start brushing on the glaze.

What is your favorite thing to eat with bacon? Do you like it with eggs, or on its own? Tell me about it.

A Little Patience Goes a Long Way

The secret is brushing the glaze on every five minutes. I know, it seems like a lot. But this is why it matters. It builds up thin, crispy layers of flavor.

Don’t rush it. Let the bacon get dark and crispy. The waiting is the hardest part. But it is so worth it.

A Fun Fact to Share

Fun fact: Using thick-cut bacon is important. The thin kind can burn too fast. The thick slices can handle all that sweet, sticky glaze.

Have you ever had candied bacon before? Was it at a fair or a restaurant? I would love to hear your story.

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This recipe is fun to make with family. Let someone be in charge of brushing the glaze. Let someone else set the timer.

It teaches you to watch food as it cooks. You learn how heat changes things. What is the best thing you have ever cooked with your family?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Light brown sugar	1/2 cup	Firmly packed
Rice vinegar	1/4 cup
Maple syrup	1/4 cup
Black pepper	To taste
Thick-sliced bacon	1 pound	*

My Easy Candied Bacon: A Sweet & Salty Treat

Oh, this recipe brings back such fun memories. My grandson calls this “candy bacon.” He would always sneak a piece before dinner. I still laugh at that. The mix of salty bacon and sweet glaze is just perfect. It’s a simple joy to make. Your kitchen will smell amazing, I promise.

Let’s get everything ready. You’ll need brown sugar, maple syrup, and a little rice vinegar. The vinegar sounds funny, I know. But it keeps the sweetness from being too much. It gives it a nice little tang. Trust your kitchen grandma on this one.

Step 1: Make the Glaze

First, turn your oven on to 350°F. Now, let’s make our magic glaze. Get a bowl and mix the brown sugar, maple syrup, and rice vinegar. Stir it until the sugar disappears into the liquid. Then, add a good amount of black pepper. It adds a wonderful little kick.

Step 2: Initial Baking

Line a baking sheet with foil. This makes cleanup so easy. Place a wire rack on top and give it a quick spray. Now, lay your bacon strips side-by-side on the rack. Pop it in the oven for ten minutes. Then, take it out and turn each piece over. Bake it for five more minutes.

Step 3: Apply the Glaze

Now for the fun part! Take the pan out of the oven. Be careful, it’s hot. Brush that lovely glaze all over the top of the bacon. Get it nice and coated. Then put it back in the oven for five minutes. (My hard-learned tip: Don’t skip the wire rack! It lets the heat get all around the bacon. This makes it wonderfully crispy.)

Step 4: Repeat and Finish

You will repeat this a few times. Take the bacon out, turn it over, and brush on more glaze. Do this every five minutes. The bacon will get darker and crispier. It usually takes about half an hour total. You will know it’s done when it looks shiny and dark. Let it cool for ten minutes before eating. It will be very hot!

This bacon is a real crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for a special breakfast or a fun snack. What’s your favorite food to make for a special weekend treat? Share below!

Cook Time	40-55 minutes
Total Time	1 hour
Yield	4 servings
Category	Appetizer, Snack

Three Tasty Twists on Candied Bacon

Once you master the basic recipe, you can get creative. I love playing with different flavors. It makes the same recipe feel new and exciting. Here are a few of my favorite ideas to try. They are all so simple.

• The Spicy Kick: Add a big pinch of cayenne pepper to your glaze. It gives you a sweet heat that is so good.
• The Herby Delight: Mix a teaspoon of dried rosemary into the brown sugar. It makes the bacon taste so fancy and warm.
• The Coffee Crunch: Add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to the glaze. It gives a deep, rich flavor that is just wonderful.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Sweet & Salty Masterpiece

So, your beautiful candied bacon is ready. Now what? I love crumbling it over a fresh green salad. It turns a simple salad into something special. You can also chop it up and mix it into scrambled eggs. Oh, it’s just the best on a lazy Sunday morning.

For a real treat, serve it on a cheeseboard. The sweet and salty bacon pairs perfectly with sharp cheddar cheese. It’s a little bite of heaven. What should you drink with it? A cold glass of milk is my top choice. It balances the sweetness perfectly. For the grown-ups, a crisp hard cider is a wonderful match.

Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Candied Bacon Perfect

Let’s talk about storing this sweet and salty treat. First, let it cool completely on the rack. Then, place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay crispy for up to five days. You can also freeze it for a month. I once wrapped a batch in wax paper and foil. It was a perfect quick snack weeks later.

To reheat, use your oven or toaster oven. This keeps the bacon from getting soggy. Just warm it at 350°F for a few minutes. Batch cooking this recipe is a great idea. It saves you time for busy days. Having a ready-made treat makes any day feel special. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Easy Fixes for Common Candied Bacon Troubles

Sometimes the bacon can burn. If the sugar gets too dark, your oven might be too hot. I remember when I learned this the hard way. An oven thermometer helps you know the true temperature. This matters because a steady heat gives you perfect, crispy bacon every time.

Is your bacon sticking to the rack? Always give it a light spray first. A sticky rack makes flipping the strips very difficult. Another issue is a chewy texture instead of crisp. This means it needs more cooking time. Thick bacon can take longer than you think. Getting it right builds your cooking confidence. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Candied Bacon Questions Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, the ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free. Always check your bacon’s label to be sure.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Make it a day before and store it in the fridge. Reheat it in the oven to crisp it up.

Q: What if I don’t have rice vinegar? A: Apple cider vinegar works just as well. It gives a little fruity tang. Fun fact: The vinegar helps cut the sweetness so the flavor isn’t too one-note.

Q: Can I double the recipe? A: You can, but use two baking sheets. Do not crowd the bacon. The heat needs to circulate around each strip.

Q: Any optional add-ins? A: A pinch of cayenne pepper adds a nice warm kick. It is my grandson’s favorite way to have it. Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this easy candied bacon. It is a simple joy to share with family. Seeing everyone enjoy it is the best part. I would be so happy to see your creations.

Please share your photos with me. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at @AnnasKitchen. I love seeing your kitchen adventures. Thank you for cooking with me today.

Happy cooking!

—Anna Whitmore.