The Greatest Peppered Candied Bacon Recipe for Brunch

Candied bacon should be a requirement for every brunch spread, would you agree?

What I love most about this recipe is that it can be made a day or two ahead of time and it only requires 4 ingredients to make… 5 ingredients if you like it spicy!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• thick cut bacon
• maple syrup
• brown sugar
• black pepper
• cayenne pepper [optional]

Tips for cooking candied bacon:

The oven will do most of the work for you, but don’t forget to set a timer so you remember to flip the bacon a couple of times.

1. For easy cleanup, don’t forget to line your baking sheet with foil. The foil will collect the bacon grease that drips to the bottom of the pan. All you have to do is throw away the foil once the grease hardens.
2. Use a cooling rack or something to prop the bacon up off of the baking sheet. As mentioned above, this allows the grease to drip to the bottom of the pan so the maple syrup mixture can adhere to bacon.
3. Use the thickest bacon you can find. This recipe is not meant for thin cut bacon. The cook time won’t be accurate and the bacon won’t absorb as much as the maple syrup mixture, which is what gives this bacon so much flavor. For this recipe, I use the either the Kroger brand thick cut bacon that comes in a 3lb package or the Wright brand thick bacon.
4. Spread out the maple syrup mixture evenly on each slice of bacon so every inch is coated.
5. Double the batch. This will get eaten super fast. If you’re using the same baking sheet for back to back batches, swap out the foil to discard all of the grease and drippings from your first batch.
6. For an extra crispy candied bacon, adjust the bake time.
7. Flip bacon every 15-20 minutes so both sides cook evenly.

Ways to eat candied bacon:

This bacon is the start of the show and is delicious when eaten by the slice. However, it is delightful on my candied bacon wedge salad. I have also served it on several cheese boards — it’s always the first thing to go. It would also make a great garnish in a Bloody Mary.

Can I make this bacon ahead of time?

YES! And I encourage you to do so. I usually make a this bacon a day or two ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator overnight. I’d recommend pulling this out 30-45minutes prior to serving so it comes to room temperature or pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Right Back Spatula Peppered Candied Bacon

The most addictive bacon made with only 4 ingredients. This bacon should be a requirement at every brunch. Try adding this to a salad or even a Bloody Mary.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins

Course Appetizer, brunch, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Ingredients

  

• thick cut bacon
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp black pepper
• cayenne pepper [optional]

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• For easy cleanup, line baking sheet with 13×9 foil. Place a cooling rack on top of the baking sheet so that the bacon grease drips to the bottom of the pan.
• Add bacon slices on top of the rack.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the maple syrup, brown sugar, and pepper(s). Using a spoon, drizzle some maple syrup mixture over every slice. Use a brush to evenly coat each slice.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove bacon from the oven and flip. Coat each slice with maple syrup mixture and return to the oven. Flip every 15-20 minutes until desired crispiness.
• Immediately transfer to a serving dish otherwise the bacon will harden to the cooling rack.

Keyword bacon, brunch, candied bacon

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

I’d love to hear from you once you get the chance to make this recipe. Leave a comment below with your review or any modifications you made! And don’t forget to tag @rightbackspatula on Instagram if you take any pictures!