This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Irresistibly salty-sweet, perfectly sticky, and beautifully crisp, my Candied Bacon is downright delicious and insanely easy. Featuring smoky strips kissed with golden maple syrup, caramelized with rich brown sugar, and baked in the oven to glossy, candy-like perfection, this maple candied bacon recipe will have everyone swooning!

“This was SO delicious. I ate too much at once, but I couldn’t stop with just a few bites. If you like sweets and bacon, you’ll love this! SO GOOD!”

– PEGGY
Overhead photo of a three slices of crispy candy bacon made in the oven.

Update: This recipe was originally published in June 2023. I’ve updated the article below to include more information about candying bacon at home.

Hi, friends! If you’re looking for a super simple show-stopping treat, you’ve found it! Today we are elevating regular ole’ bacon to legendary status:

Table of Contents

About this oven candied bacon 

Maple sugar bacon, a.k.a. the salty-sweet crunchy goodness we all deserve in our lives.

Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of smoky thick-cut bacon caramelized with sticky maple syrup and caramel-kissed brown sugar baking to glossy perfection right in your oven. With the perfect balance of salty, sweet, and smoky flavors in every bite, this crispy maple bacon candy is what breakfast dreams are made of! 

Best of all, this candied bacon recipe delivers BIG flavor with very little effort, requiring just 3 simple ingredients and 15 minutes of active prep-time. 

Ideal on a holiday bunch bagel and lox platter, stacked in burgers, tucked into sandwiches, tossed into BLT salads, or simply nibbled straight from the sheet pan, this candy bacon is perfectly party ready!

Why you’ll love this recipe!

As if that weren’t enough to love, the best easy candied bacon recipe is also:

  • 3 Simple Ingredient Recipe. Pantry staples, no fancy tools required.
  • Flavor Harmony. Smoky bacon meets rich maple syrup and caramelized brown sugar, with optional cayenne or chipotle for a subtle kick.
  • Texture Goals. Crispy caramelized edges, chewy centers, and a glossy mahogany candy-like finish.
  • Easily Customizable. Use thick-cut or thin-cut bacon, add spices, swap sugars, or make it in the air fryer. Your bacon candy, your rules. (Psst. I share tons of tasty ideas below!)
  • Anytime Addition. Cozy and crowd-pleasing, maple candied bacon is perfect for everything from breakfast spreads to cocktail parties and beyond.
  • Meal Prep-Friendly. Whip up a batch on Sunday and enjoy this sweet bacon all week long—but only if you have some serious willpower. 
Overhead photo of a pound of raw bacon, maple syrup, brown sugar, and spices on a kitchen counter.

Ingredients for maple bacon candy

As promised, you only need 3 simple ingredients for the base of this easy candied brown sugar bacon recipe. Here’s what to grab:

  • Bacon. You can’t have maple bacon candy without bacon! You’re welcome to use your favorite variety — thick or thin cut, maple or applewood smoked, organic or nitrate-free. So long as it’s bacon, you’re in business.
    • Substitution: While it’s definitely not AS good, you are free to swap in turkey bacon if you’re pork-free.
  • Brown Sugar. Use light or dark brown sugar depending on how much molasses flavor you like. 
    • Substitutions: Other brown varieties of sugar like grated jaggery, piloncillo, or muscovado sugar work too.
  • Maple Syrup. Maple syrup and bacon is a dynamic duo that’s tough to beat! 
    • Substitutions: YWswap in another sticky-sweet substance like honey or golden syrup if you prefer.

Recipe variations

Now that you know the basics of maple brown sugar bacon goodness, it’s time for your creativity to shine! Here are some of my favorite millionaire’s bacon flavor mash-ups to try:

  • Chey’s Perfect Candied Bacon. While optional, spices will contribute to a more well-balanced candied bacon flavor. Cayenne, cinnamon, kosher salt and black pepper are all it takes to make my personal favorite version of this pig candy.
  • Spicy Candy Bacon. If you’re among the some who like it hot, use cayenne or chipotle to set your tastebuds ablaze with flavor. I personally love this version with a sweeter dish like french toast sticks in oven.
  • Black Pepper Candied Bacon. This slight variation calls for just freshly cracked black pepper as the add-on. Not only does it add heat, but also some lovely crunch. Opt for Sichuan or Tellicherry peppercorns for the zippiest flavor.
  • Herb Bacon Candy. Add a few shakes of your favorite dried herbs (e.g. rosemary, thyme, or sage) to create a version that’s perfectly primed for cheese plates, sandwiches, salads, soups, like this roasted garlic and potato soup, and pizza like my pizza butternut.
  • Asian Bacon. Add a generous dash of Chinese 5-spice powder for a delectable treat perfect for adding to fried rice and stir fries.
  • Tex Mex Bacon. Add a few dashes of ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, and chipotle powder for a fantastic flavor combo that’ll have you yelling YEEHAW!
Overhead photo of a strip of raw bacon brushed with maple on a plate of brown sugar.

How to candy bacon in the oven

Wondering how to easily make candied bacon in the oven? This recipe for sugared bacon comes together with just 15 minutes of active prep. Here’s how:

  1. Prep Baking Sheet. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack insert directly onto the baking sheet.
  2. Combine Sugar and Seasonings. In a shallow bowl, combine the brown sugar with the cayenne, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper, if using.
  3. Brush Bacon with Maple. Working with one slice of bacon at a time, use a pastry brush to brush a small amount of maple syrup on one side of the bacon.
  4. Coat Bacon in Sugar Spice. Transfer the slice of bacon, maple side DOWN, to the bowl with the brown sugar mixture. Press and rub the sugar-spice mixture onto the bottom side of the bacon.
  5. Arrange on Baking Sheet. Place the sugared bacon slices onto the wire rack, arranging so that it’s sugar side UP and in a single layer.
  6. Bake Candy Bacon in Oven. Transfer the bacon to a 375-degrees oven and bake, rotating the pan halfway through, for 20-25 minutes.
  7. Cool. Let the candied bacon cool on the wire rack for 2 minutes. Then, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a parchment paper or wax paper-lined surface and allow to cool completely to room temperature.
  8. Enjoy! Enjoy maple candied bacon whole, cut into little bacon candies, or crumble and enjoy.
Photo of seven strips of raw bacon brushed with maple syrup and sprinkled with brown sugar on a wire rack.

Professional chef expert tips for perfect results

Making this candied bacon with maple syrup and brown sugar is pretty darn simple. That said, there’s a few tricks to keep in mind:

  • Quality Bacon. This should go without saying, but the better your bacon is plain, the tastier it’ll be when it’s candied.
  • Real Maple Syrup. Be sure to use real maple in this candied bacon recipe for the best flavor payoff and results.
  • Line Baking Sheet. To make cleanup a breeze, line your baking sheet with parchment or aluminum foil.
  • Use a Baking Rack. After linning the pan, place a wire rack on top of it so the hot air can circulate and cook the bacon to crispy perfection.
  • Don’t Overcrowd Pan. Bacon needs space to crisp.
  • Watch Bake Time Closely. Keep your eye on the salty snack prize because different ovens cook at different temps, different rates, and sugar burns fast. On top of that, different people like different levels of crispiness. So, don’t walk away!
  • Cool On Parchment. Don’t let the bacon cool on the wire rack for too long or it’ll stick. Nothing is sadder than losing bits of candied maple bacon to inattention. 
Close-up photo of six slices of oven candied bacon resting on a wire rack.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

What is candied bacon? 

Maple sugar bacon is like regular bacon’s fancy cousin. Also known as million-dollar bacon, it’s got all the smoky, savory goodness you know and love, but with a little extra pizzazz. 

All that gorgeous smoked pig belly is sprinkled with some sweet magic—here, a delicious mixture of brown sugar, maple syrup, and your choice of spices—and then baked until it reaches crispy, caramelized perfection. It’s salty, meaty, rich, sweet, sticky, and just delicious!

Is bacon candy spicy?

 No, it’s not spicy, it’s salty-sweet. However, you can make it as spicy as you’d like by adding cayenne pepper or chipotle chili pepper. 

Can I use regular-cut bacon?

You can use whatever cut of bacon you prefer. If you like crispier bacon, use regular (thin) bacon and note it will cook quicker. And, if you prefer chewier bacon, use thick-cut. 

Do I need a wire rack?

While you don’t need a wire rack to make candied bacon in the oven, it does help with even baking and crisping. However, if you don’t have one, just bake it directly on foil or parchment, flipping halfway to ensure even caramelization. And please note, the bacon candy will be on the chewier side.

Is maple bacon a dessert?

Like magic, candied bacon has a sweet-savory-salty flavor profile so it dances well with all meals—breakfast to dessert!

Can I candy bacon in the air fryer? 

Absolutely! Cook at 375°F for about 10 minutes per side. Just keep an eye on it while it’s cooking.

My bacon stuck after cooling—how to avoid that?

After candying and baking, don’t let the bacon cool on the rack—let it cool on parchment paper. If you let the bacon sit too long on the wire rack it will stick. 

But, if you’d like to take extra precautions, you can also spray the rack with non-stick cooking spray before using it.

Can I double the recipe?

You sure can. Just use multiple pans and be sure to rotate them from top to bottom and front to back halfway through baking.

Can I prep ahead and reheat?

You sure can. Let the candied maple bacon cool completely and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Then reheat gently in a 325°F oven until warm throughout.

Close-up photo of a strip of maple candied bacon fresh from the oven.

Serving maple candied bacon

Wondering what to serve with this candy bacon recipe? The best part about this magically morphed meat is that you can enjoy it in all sorts of ways:

Unique serving ideas

  • Add to Charcuteries. Use in charcuterie boards alongside meats, cheeses, and snack mix pretzels for a surprising sweet-savory bite.
  • Garnish Cocktails. Use the candy maple bacon as a lux garnish for Bloody Mary’s or smoky bourbon cocktails.
  • Sprinkle on Potatoes. Chops into large pieces and crumble over baked potatoes with shredded cheese, chives, and sour cream. Or stir it into your favorite potato dishes, like home potatoes and mashed potatoes potatoes
  • Use on Crostini or Pizza. Smear toasted crostini with creamy whipped cheese and place bacon slices over the top for a gourmet appetizer. Or just toss the sweet bacon on your favorite pizza, like my pizza salmon recipe.
  • Atop Desserts. Break into generous pieces and serve atop scoops of ice cream, like pecan ice cream, and chocolate desserts, like fudge brownies for salty-sweet twist.
  • Bacon Party. If you are a lover of crisp, salty pork bacon, throw a party in its honor and serve up all your favorite bacon recipes. Here’s mine: bacon-wrapped hot dogs, bacon beans, and succotash with bacon.

Storing leftovers

  • Refrigerator Storage: After baking, allow the candy bacon made in the oven to cool to room temperature. Then transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
    • Note: Candied bacon isn’t shelf stable. While it will keep well at room temperature for up to 2 hours, you’ll need to store it in the fridge to prevent spoilage.
  • Freezing Instructions: Once the candied bacon brown sugar goodness has cooled to room temp and hardened into proper candy, layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking and freeze for up to 1 month. Just note that the texture is prone to changing during thawing.
  • Reheating Instructions: If you want to reheat it, I suggest warming in the oven or toaster on a parchment-lined pan. 
Overhead photo of two strips of maple bacon candy on a sheet of parchment paper.

Alright, my bacon-loving buddies! Now that you’re armed with these sizzling tips, you’re ready to make the best candied bacon in the world! Don’t go bacon my heart and leave this recipe on the shelf — get your apron on, unleash your inner flavor artist, and let the candy magic happen.

If you try it out, don’t forget to come back and let me know how it went in the comments below. I honestly love hearing about your kitchen wins!

Until next time, cheers,

Cheyanne

Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

More candied recipes!

Photo of six slices of homemade candied bacon made in the oven with maple syrup and brown sugar.

How to Candy Bacon

5 from 1 vote
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Irresistibly salty-sweet, perfectly sticky, and beautifully crisp, my Candied Bacon is downright delicious and insanely easy. Featuring smoky strips kissed with golden maple syrup, caramelized with rich brown sugar, and baked in the oven to glossy, candy-like perfection, this maple candied bacon recipe will have everyone swooning!

Equipment

  • 1 Large Rimmed Baking Sheet – for baking candy bacon
  • 1 Wire Rack – for baking candy bacon
  • 1 Small Bowl – for mixing seasonings (optional)

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven and Prep Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 375-degrees Fahrenheit.
    Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Then place a wire baking rack directly onto the baking sheet and set aside.
  • Combine Sugar and Seasonings: In a shallow bowl or pan large enough to hold a slice of bacon, combine the brown sugar, cayenne, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Then set aside.
  • Brush Bacon with Maple: Working with one slice of bacon at a time, use a pastry brush to brush a small amount of maple syrup on one side of the bacon.
  • Coat Bacon in Sugar Spice: Transfer the slice of bacon, maple side DOWN, to the bowl with the sugar. Press and rub the sugar-spice mixture onto the bottom side of the bacon.
  • Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the sugared bacon to the wire rack, placing the bacon sugar side UP.
    Repeat coating the remaining slices of bacon and arranging them evenly spaced apart on the wire rack.
    (Note: Do NOT overlap the bacon on the pan. It’s okay if they are touching slightly though.)
  • Bake Candy Bacon: Transfer the bacon to the preheated oven and cook on the middle shelf, rotating the pan halfway through baking, for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the sugar is caramelized.
  • Cool Bacon Candy: Remove the baking pan from the oven and let the bacon cool on the wire rack for 2 minutes.
    Then, use tongs to transfer the bacon to a parchment paper or wax paper-lined surface and allow to cool completely to room temperature.
    (Note: Don't let the bacon completely cool on the wire rack or it will stick to the rack.)
  • Serve Candied Bacon: Enjoy candied bacon whole, cut into little bacon candies, or crumble, and enjoy!
    Photo of six slices of candied bacon with maple syrup and brown sugar.

Notes

  • Bacon: You can candy whatever bacon variety you love – thick-cut bacon, regular bacon, center-cut, lean, etc. Please note that leaner, thinner cuts of bacon will get more crispy in the oven, while thicker cuts will be more chewy in texture. 
  • Don’t let bacon cool on a wire rack for more than a couple minutes or it will stick like glue.
  • Storage: Airtight container or resealable bag in the fridge for up to 5 day
  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
     
  • Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 4 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcal    Carbohydrates: 28g    Protein: 7g    Fat: 23g    Saturated Fat: 8g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g    Monounsaturated Fat: 10g    Trans Fat: 0.1g    Cholesterol: 37mg    Sodium: 383mg    Potassium: 152mg    Fiber: 0.1g    Sugar: 27g    Vitamin A: 73IU    Vitamin C: 0.1mg    Calcium: 26mg    Iron: 0.4mg
Course: Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?

Mention @nospoonnecessary on Instagram and tag it #nospoonnecessary!

©No Spoon Necessary.  All images and content are under copyright protection. Please do not use any images without prior permission. Kindly, do not publish this recipe. If you want to reference this dish, please link directly back to this post.