To me, it is Candied Bacon, but this delicious snack, appetizer and sometimes dessert goes by many names.
Caramelized Bacon, Millionaire’s Bacon, Bacon Candy, Brown Sugar Bacon, Pig Candy, Beggin’ Strips, Cowboy Candy and even get this one… Man Candy, are just some of the other names it goes by.
Candied bacon (also known as Cowboy Candy) is the best sweet and salty snack with a kick. Serve as strips or bites, bacon is caramelized with brown sugar and and a touch of heat!
Candied Bacon recipes are made many different ways. Most recipes start with a brown sugar base, but some even dip bacon strips in a hard caramel sauce, like candied apples.
Complementary flavors include bourbon, maple syrup, cayenne, chili powder and more. I like mine to be sweet, salty, spicy… and sticky, so I make mine with chili powder and cayenne.
Not overwhelming, but enough that you can taste it.
How to make bacon candy
It is really quite easy, but the main thing you need to do is select the correct bacon.
It is all about the bacon….
A thick cut of bacon is what makes this work. A paper-thin strip isn’t going to hold the caramelized goodness of the brown sugar, instead it will just melt off and be in the pan. What a waste.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, you can use super thick slices of bacon, like I did here, but then you want to refrain from serving it in strips and instead chop it into bite-size pieces.
I actually find this preferable, especially for parties. However, medium size strips are best for serving plated meals.
The only thing to beware of when using slab bacon, like mine, is that the bacon has to cook for longer, so you actually want to cover in the brown sugar mixture halfway through cooking. Otherwise, it just melts right on off by the time the bacon is cooked.
PRO TIP: Candied Bacon can also be chopped and put into salads or served alongside BBQ Chicken or a nice steak. Any place you serve bacon, you can make it super special candied bacon!
While it is delicious, Candied Bacon is also very rich and an entire strip of brown sugar coated bacon might be a little too much for some folks. Others, like me, could eat the whole pan and feel no guilt.
So here you go foodie friends, an amazing munchie for parties, topper of ice cream, pie or even cheesecake, salad addition or anytime snack, the ultimate salty and sweet treat: Spicy Candied Bacon!
Make sure you check out these other recipes that use bacon:
- Cheesy Bacon Tater Tots
- Fried Bacon
- Grilled Bacon Wrapped Scallops
- Bacon Fried Cabbage
- How to Make Bacon in the Oven
- Cowboy Baked Beans
If you like sweet and salty:
- Candied Walnuts
- Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts
- Candied Bacon Maple Cheesecake
- Candied Apples
- Chocolate Covered Bacon
Tools for making Pig Candy:
Mixing Bowls– make sure to check out my article on Using the Right Mixing Bowl, you’d be surprised how many people aren’t!
Broiler Pan– These are great because the excess bacon fat just drips down into the pan. The bacon will also cook faster because hot air circulates around the bacon, evenly cooking it underneath.
Rimmed Baking Sheets– If don’t use a broiler pan, use a rimmed baking sheet. You will have some run off of rendered bacon grease and you don’t want it to spill in your oven or cause burning.
You can place cooling racks or something similar to create a broiler pan. Any wire rack will do.
Questions you might have about how to make candied bacon:
Can I make candied bacon ahead of time?
You can make it in advance, just make sure it is fully cooked. You can keep it out at room temperature for about 2 hours before serving. If you put it in the fridge, the brown sugar topping will get sticky and lose its texture.
Can you freeze bacon candy?
This is one of the few recipes that I do not recommend for freezing.
Is candied bacon gluten free?
Yes! It is gluten free.
Can you use white sugar?
The molasses in brown sugar is what makes the flavors work so well. White sugar won’t taste the same. You can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar.
Can you add honey or maple syrup?
You sure can! Add a tablespoon of either or to the brown sugar mixture. Don’t use both.
Can you smoke bacon candy?
I am sure you can, however I am no expert at smoking so I am not even going to try to give you directions on how to do so.
Can I use maple bacon?
You sure can! It will just enhance the flavor!
Can you omit the cayenne pepper?
If you don’t want any heat at all, omit cayenne and chile powder.
Candied Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds center cut bacon
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place wire racks on rimmed baking sheets. Set aside.
- Mix together dark brown sugar, salt and other add-ins like chili powder and cayenne in a medium bowl.
- Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the wire racks. Evenly spoon brown sugar mixture over bacon strips. You might need to do this in batches, depending on your oven.
- Bake on middle rack for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on bacon, sugar can burn easily. The goal is for bacon strips to be almost crispy, but still a little chewy. The natural fats will be sizzling and bubbling around them.
- Remove bacon strips and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. Transfer the bacon strips from the wire racks to parchment paper until they come to room temperature.
- When fully cooled, serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
That’s an awesome giveaway! Mmm, that bacon looks amazing!
I have always wanted to try candied bacon! This is going on my to do list this weekend! Looks DELICIOUS!
Bacon! Can’t go wrong there. As for the $650 I should say pay bills because we have fallen on some tough times, but I really want a vacation back to OK to see my friends. It’s been 7 years since I have been “home!”
I do love me some bacon! I have never heard of candied bacon before, but now it is definitely a must try!
My husband would love anything bacon! Thanks for the amazing giveaway opportunity!
Candied bacon!! YUM! Great recipe, thanks for sharing. Love the giveaway too!
I could do some serious damage with $650. 🙂 It would probably go towards are kitchen renovation. (So we have a nicer space to make candied bacon!)
That is a great giveaway! I know that I am probably boring- but I would split it between my kids’ savings accounts!
Thank you so much for this fantastic giveaway. By the way, candied bacon is the best!!!
Candied bacon now that sounds interesting and tasty.I will have to try this.
Candied bacon? My hubs would love that! As for the $650 if I had that I’d buy a new camera or use it towards an iMac 🙂
Wow, that bacon looks so delicious! Thank you for hosting an awesome giveaway too!
Candied bacon? I have never heard of it, but I love me some bacon so I think that is something I Need to try!!
My mouth is watering right now. I am so sad that I changed my lifestyle because I would devour that recipe. But I wouldn’t mind making that for the family.
Beggin strips for humans… I love that. Never heard of candied bacon before.
I had never heard of candied bacon. I never thought bacon could get any better – but it did 🙂
Just too delicious Jessica!! 🙂
Oh YUM jessica, your bacon look amazing! Great giveaway too! Nettie
Thanks for the giveaway. My husband would love this bacon!!!
It is SO good, Debi!
Fantastic bacon, Jessica!
Thank you for the opportunity to win but most importantly, thank you for your blog and all that you share with me and so many others!
xo
*blushing* thank you, Janet!!!