What is candied bacon made of?

What is Candied Bacon. Also known as Pig Candy, Candied Bacon is made by coating thick sliced of bacon in something sweet such as brown sugar, maple syrup, or caramel before baking until caramelized. It's fantastic crumbled on a salad or just served alongside a pint of your favorite beer.

How long can you keep candied bacon?

You can store the cooked candied bacon in the refrigerator for up to 1 week . Store it in an airtight container, such as a large zipper bag or plastic container with a lid. To reheat bacon in the microwave, place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds.

How does Hardee's make candied bacon?

Candied bacon is made in-house using Applewood-smoked bacon. It's then coated with caramelized brown sugar and finished with a hint of black pepper . We used a similar combination of flavors in our Candied Bacon Crackers.

What ingredient to avoid in bacon?

The health risk of bacon is largely to do with two food additives: potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre) and sodium nitrite . It is these that give salamis, bacons and cooked hams their alluring pink colour.

Should candied bacon be refrigerated?

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator . Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious.

Does candied bacon keep?

Candied bacon can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheats well in a skillet over low heat.

How does Martha Stewart make bacon?

Bake the bacon in a 400°F oven until well-browned and crisp, this should take between 15 and 18 minutes depending on the thickness of your bacon. To follow Martha's method to a T, you'll need to rotate the sheet pan halfway through.

How does Rachael Ray make bacon?

It's so incredibly simple! Just preheat oven to 375°F, and arrange your bacon on a slotted pan (like Rach's!) and bake to crisp for 15 to 18 minutes . (Again, if you don't have a slotted pan, Rach says you can make your own by putting a wire cooling rack on top of a baking sheet with a rim.)

Can I reheat candied bacon?

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet . This is like candy – we love it! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

Can I freeze candied bacon?

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer. Immediately after cooling, wrap portions in plastic wrap and then in foil, ensuring a tight seal.

Is it better to bake bacon at 350 or 400?

Bacon should be cooked at 400°F . Medium-thick bacon slices will need 18 to 20 minutes to reach the perfect level of crispiness. But check the bacon at 10 minutes, and adjust your cooking time to your preferred degree of doneness.

How to make crispy meat wrapped in bacon?

You can wrap your food in raw bacon and then cook both together. If the main food is done first you can turn the food on its side so that the bacon is now touching the grate so that you can crisp it up . But make sure and this is important, to turn down that heat to about 375-400.

Why doesn't homemade bacon get crispy?

Let your bacon sit at room temperature for fifteen minutes or so before you cook it . It will help the fat render more quickly, so it will be crispy and not burnt.

Candied Bacon Recipe (2024)

Dec 19, 2023 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan · Last modified: Dec 19, 2023 · 12 Comments

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4.28 from 36 votes

Sweet, salty, and crispy with a touch of heat, this Candied Bacon Recipe is easy to make at home with bacon, brown sugar, and spices. Known as Millionaire or Million Dollar bacon, it makes a great party dish, snack, or holiday gift.

Ingredients

Bacon—lean, thick cut preferred.
Brown sugar—or maple syrup
Spices—chili powder and cayenne pepper (optional)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ingredients
👨‍🍳How to Make Candied Bacon
✔️Tips to get it right every time
🐖Variations and Ingredient Options
Other Sweet Recipes
Storing leftovers
❓FAQs
📖 Recipe

Easy and quick to make with only four ingredients. This caramelized bacon is an irresistible treat and is quick to make with these easy step-by-step photo instructions.

Great for a "take to the party" dish, snack, or as a gift. Or top a brunch salad or ice cream with bits of this bacon candy. It stores well and can be frozen, and you can adjust the spiciness by decreasing or increasing the cayenne pepper.

👨‍🍳How to Make Candied Bacon

Preheat oven to 350° convection or 375° conventional. Convection baking is recommended to help dry out moisture and have crisper results.

Mix ½ cup of brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of chili powder and ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional).

Prep a rimmed baking sheet like a sheet pan with aluminum foil to help clean up and a wire rack coated heavily with PAM baking spray. If you don't have a rack. Use a heavy spray of PAM on the foil or pan and coat only the top side of the bacon.

Cut bacon strips in half or thirds. Trim any large chunks of fat.

Dip bacon in the brown sugar mixture and coat well.

Spread in a single layer over the prepared rack, leaving a little space, then give the bacon a light sprinkle of additional sugar and spice.

Bake until bacon appears crispy and done—about 15-20 minutes. It may take longer, so cook until it looks done. But remember, sugar can begin to burn when left in too long.

Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes, then carefully pat off any pools of fat on top of the bacon with a paper towel.

Then, transfer it for cooling on another rack. A silicone baking mat, parchment paper, or a plate should do. Do not "drain" on a paper towel due to sticking.

✔️Tips to get it right every time

Bake until crispy. This is not the time for wimpy bacon. But that time will vary by the thickness of the bacon and your oven, so times are approximate.
Use a baking rack if you have one. Please note that a cooling rack may not be an oven-safe baking rack.
Pat some of the fat off the top of the bacon after removal from the oven. But let it cool for a few minutes before moving to the cooling area. But get it off the rack before it sticks.
Serve either warm or cold. To warm— 5 minutes in a 350° oven will reheat nicely or a few seconds in the microwave.

🐖Variations and Ingredient Options

Bacon Variations

Use good quality thick-cut bacon. If you use thinner bacon, the cooking time will decrease, and since it is finger food, it will tend to fall apart, may not fully caramelize, and be sticky.

Use smoked bacon for a smoked candied bacon. Or a maple bacon for a maple candied bacon.

Coating Variations

Sugar— Use either dark or light brown sugar. But you may use maple syrup to add more maple flavor to maple candied bacon.

The ratio to substitute is for each cup of brown sugar, use ¾ cup of maple syrup. If you use maple syrup, cook your bacon candy until dark brown to make it less sticky.

Chili powder—substitute smoked paprika for a more smokey taste.

Cayenne pepper—varies according to your taste.

Other Sweet Recipes

Check out other popular sweet recipes, like Popcorn Balls, Oreo Fudge, Chocolate Peanut Clusters, Easy 5-Minute Fudge, Bacon Wrapped Chicken Bites, and Candied Nuts. This recipe is featured in Holiday Candy Recipe Roundup.

Storing leftovers

Seal leftovers in an airtight container. Good refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be frozen if on parchment or wax paper.

❓FAQs

Should I coat both sides or one side of the bacon?

Both sides are great if you use a rack coated with cooking spray since you get more coating.

If you do not use a rack, only coat one side.

Do I have to use a baking rack?

No, but the results are better if you use a rack. You get to coat both sides of the bacon, and the fat will drain away from the bacon, which is essential.

If you need to cook without a baking rack, use a heavy coat of PAM on the sheet pan and only coat the top side of the bacon strips.

This recipe is listed in these categories. See them for more similar recipes.

Appetizer and Party Recipes, Candy Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Pork | Ham and Bacon Recipes, Pork Recipes

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📖 Recipe

Candied Bacon Recipe

From Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

Sweet, salty, and crispy with a touch of heat, this Candied Bacon Recipe is easy to make at home with bacon, brown sugar, and spices. Known as Millionaire or Million Dollar bacon, it makes a great party dish, snack, or holiday gift.

Tap to leave a Rating

4.28 from 36 votes

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings #/Adjust if desired 22

Ingredients

US Customary - Convert to Metric

▢ 1 pound bacon - thick sliced
▢ ½ cup brown sugar - light or dark
▢ 1 tablespoon chili powder
▢ ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° convection or 375° conventional. Convection baking is recommended to help dry out moisture and have crisper results.
Mix ½ cup of brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of chili powder and ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional).
Prep a rimmed baking sheet like a sheet pan with aluminum foil to help clean up and a wire rack coated heavily with PAM baking spray. If you don't have a rack. Use a heavy spray of PAM on the foil or pan and coat only the top side of the bacon.
Cut bacon strips in half or thirds. Trim any large chunks of fat.
Dip bacon in the brown sugar mixture and coat well.
Spread in a single layer over the prepared rack, leaving a little space, then give the bacon a light sprinkle of additional sugar and spice.
Bake until bacon appears crispy and done—about 15-20 minutes. It may take longer, so cook until it looks done. But remember, sugar can begin to burn when left in too long.
Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes, then carefully pat off any pools of fat on top of the bacon with a paper towel.
Then, transfer it for cooling on another rack. A silicone baking mat, parchment paper, or a plate should do. Do not "drain" on a paper towel due to sticking.

Do you have a question?Leave a comment to ask or check the recipe post above for most common questions and variations.

Some recipes have an option to display the photos here with a switch above these instructions but the photos DO NOT print. Otherwise step-by-step photos are in the post.

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Recipe Notes

Pro Tips:

Thicker sliced bacon will work better.
Variations in bacon and spices are discussed in the recipe post.
A rack, while not mandatory, will get much better results. If you do not have a rack, only coat the top side of the bacon and use a heavy coat of PAM on the tray.
Bake until crispy. This is not the time for wimpy bacon. But that time will vary by the thickness of the bacon and your oven, so times are approximate.
Pat some of the fat off the top of the bacon after removal from the oven. But let it cool for a few minutes before moving to the cooling area. But get it off the rack before it sticks.
It may be served warm or cold. About 5 minutes in a 350° oven will reheat nicely or a few seconds in the microwave.
Good refrigerated for 2-3 days and can be frozen if on parchment or wax paper.
I suggest following the food safety rules. Please do not store at room temperature.

To adjust the recipe size:

You may adjust the number of servings in this recipe card under servings. This does the math for the ingredients for you. BUT it does NOT adjust the text of the instructions. So you need to do that yourself.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories : 117 kcal (6%)Carbohydrates : 5 g (2%)Protein : 7 g (14%)Fat : 7 g (11%)Saturated Fat : 3 g (15%)Cholesterol : 20 mg (7%)Sodium : 361 mg (15%)Potassium : 118 mg (3%)Fiber : 1 g (4%)Sugar : 5 g (6%)Vitamin A : 134 IU (3%)Calcium : 8 mg (1%)Iron : 1 mg (6%)

Serving size is my estimate of a normal size unless stated otherwise. The number of servings per recipe is stated above. This is home cooking, and there are many variables. All nutritional information are estimates and may vary from your actual results. To taste ingredients such as salt will be my estimate of the average used.

Course : Appetizer

Cuisine : American

© 101 Cooking for Two, LLC. All content and photographs are copyright protected by us or our vendors. While we appreciate your sharing our recipes, please realize copying, pasting, or duplicating full recipes to any social media, website, or electronic/printed media is strictly prohibited and a violation of our copyrights.

This spicy candied bacon recipe combines two of my most popular recipes: Sweet and Spicy Chicken Bacon Wraps and How to Cook Bacon in the Oven post.

Editor Note: Originally published May 24, 2015. Updated with expanded options, refreshed photos, and a table of contents to help navigation.

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Candied Bacon Recipe (2024)

Ingredients

👨‍🍳How to Make Candied Bacon

✔️Tips to get it right every time