Candied Bacon

This candied bacon is perfectly candied and gets an earthy note from rosemary. This is hands down the best appetizer for any party!

Candied Bacon

This may be a bold statement but in my honest opinion candied bacon is one of the best appetizers you can throw down at any party. Bacon is always a crowd pleaser but when you caramelize it in brown sugar and maple syrup it is so addicting. This candied bacon was inspired by a club that we go to. It’s not entirely crispy and has a great chew to it. And it’s always served on top of rosemary that gives it a subtle earthy note. I needed to learn how to make it at home so one day I tested all different oven temperatures, methods and times with one piece of bacon at a time. It took hours, but here we are and it is delicious! 

What You'll Need

  • Thick Sliced Bacon – You want thick sliced bacon here. It’s keeps the bacon from getting overdone during the long bake time and gives it an amazing texture after the baking process.
  • Brown Sugar – I use light brown sugar however you can also use dark. Whatever you have on hand works!
  • Maple Syrup – I love the combination of both the brown sugar and maple syrup here to help candy the bacon. 
  • Cracked Black Pepper – Adds a subtle heat to the bacon.
  • Fresh Rosemary – Adds a subtle earthy note. 

To Make the Candied Bacon

  • Preheat your oven to 325° 
  • Prep a sheet pan with an oven rack over top and spray with cooking spray. 
  • Place 5 – 6 slices of bacon on at a time so the heat can circulate appropriately
  • To each slice of bacon on BOTH sides:
    • Sprinkle cracked black pepper
    • Sprinkle brown sugar
    • Drizzle maple syrup  
  • Bake for 40 minutes total
  • Remove the bacon from the oven every 10 minute
  • Flip the Bacon and add more brown sugar and maple syrup to the side facing up.
    • After the 4th time flipping the bacon and adding more brown sugar and maple syrup I leave it in for 5-10 minutes depending on the doneness. 
  • Remove the bacon from the oven rack and arrange on top of rosemary sprigs to cool completely
  • Serve

Candied Bacon

This candied bacon is perfectly candied and gets an earthy note from rosemary. This is hands down the best appetizer for any party!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Bacon, Brown Sugar, Candied Bacon, Maple Syrup
Servings: 0

Equipment

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 1 Oven Rack

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Thick Sliced Bacon
  • 1 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1 cup Maple Syrup
  • Cracked Black Pepper
  • 1 bunch Rosemary Sprigs

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°
  • Place a baking rack on top of a sheet pan and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Arrange 5-6 slices of bacon on the baking rack spacing about 1/2 inch apart.
  • Sprinkle the bacon with cracked black pepper, brown sugar and drizzle with maple syrup. Rub it in before turning to do the second side.
  • Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes. Every 10 minutes, remove the bacon from the oven, flip them over and add more brown sugar and maple syrup to the side facing up. 20 minutes in, add a few rosemary sprigs on the baking sheet to perfume the bacon.
  • Once the bacon is dark brown and glassy from the sugar remove from the oven and arrange on top of rosemary sprigs to cool completely.
  • Serve!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!