Candied Bacon Recipe Recipe - Rachel Cooks® (2024)

Candied bacon, “pig candy”, bacon candy, pork candy, call it what you will, this irresistible treat will have everyone calling for more! This candied bacon recipe is easy to whip up and is a guaranteed favorite!

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Have you tried candied bacon, aka, “pig candy”? Made with thick cut bacon, brown sugar, and spices, it’s finger-licking good.

My in-laws recently celebrated their marriage (44 years!) by renewing their vows on a beautiful September day at a lovely nearby park. After a tender and nostalgic service, during which there were few dry eyes, guests were treated to a luncheon catered by a local restaurant.

We started with appetizer platters stacked with candied bacon and skewers of fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil drizzled with balsamic reduction. Guests were lined up waiting to pile their plates with these yummy appetizers. There was a lot of delicious food served that afternoon but I have to say that the appetizers were the best! May I say that we “pigged out”? Or is that too corny?

Sticky, crunchy, salty, sweet, spicy, and lots of umami, candied bacon covers all the bases. No wonder it’s always a hit!

Looking for more special occasion appetizers? Be sure to take a look at my list of 32 easy holiday appetizers!

What is candied bacon?

Candied bacon is simply thick cut bacon, dredged in a mixture of brown sugar, and spices, and baked until crispy. It smells so good when it’s baking, you’ll hardly be able to wait to take it out of the oven and try it.

How do you make candied bacon?

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Prepare a baking pan by lining it with heavy duty foil and placing a baking rack on it. Spray the rack lightly with non-stick spray.
• Using a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne, and black pepper. You can customize the spices to your own preference, making it more or less spicy.
• Separate the bacon into slices and dredge the slices with the sugar mixture, rubbing lightly to help the sugar adhere to the bacon.
• Arrange the slices on the baking rack and bake until crispy, 30 to 35 minutes. Cooking time will depend on how thick your bacon slices are. Watch closely at the end of the cooking time so that they don’t get too brown. You may want to remove slices that are getting done more quickly.
• Cool slightly. The slices will crisp up a bit as they cool.

Storage & Reheating Tips

Candied bacon is delicious warm or at room temperature. If you would like to reheat it, put it on foil and warm it up in the oven for 10 minutes or so.

It should be kept in a covered container in the fridge or freezer, between wax paper layers so it doesn’t stick together. Keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Don’t be surprised if you open the container and it has completely disappeared though.