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    Home / Recipes / Appetizers & Snacks

    Brown Sugar Bacon - The Best Pig Candy Recipe To Try Now

    Posted On Oct 18, 2022 · Updated On Dec 3, 2022

    Brown Sugar Bacon - The Best Pig Candy Recipe To Try Now
    Appetizers & SnacksDairy FreeGrain-Free GoodnessHoliday Treats!Quick & EasyRecipes & Techniques by Cooks We LoveSatisfy Your Sweet ToothSide DishesSuper Bowl Snacks!This Is SO GOOD.

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    Do you think it's possible to make bacon even more alluring?  Well, it is.  Try this delicious brown sugar bacon as soon with your next breakfast. For sobbing out loud, all you need to do is add a little brown sugar, and an (optional) pinch of chili powder. It's so easy!

    Brown sugar bacon on a marble slab

    What is brown sugar bacon?

    Thick slices of bacon are coated in a sweet such as brown sugar,  caramel, or maple syrup and baked until caramelized to create candied bacon.

    What makes this bacon better than others?

    If you have ever had this kind of bacon before I can almost guarantee that you haven’t had it the way I make it!

    The combination of brown sugar, chili powder, and bacon is the perfect trifecta of flavorful explosions in your mouth!

    Brown sugar bacon on a marble slab

    What will you need to make this bacon?

    To make this yummy bacon you will need:

    • Baking sheet
    • Tin foil
    • Thick-cut gluten-free Bacon
    • Pepper
    • Chili Powder
    • Brown sugar
    • Shelled pistachios (optional)
    Brown sugar bacon on a wire rack

    Can bacon have gluten?

    Yes, bacon and other cured meats can contain gluten in flavorings and spices. Gluten-free bacon is available from Pedersen Farms, Applegate, Jones Dairy Farm, and Wellshire Farms - these four brands make all of their bacon products without gluten. Additional brands that offer gluten-free bacon are Hormel, Oscar Meyer, Farmer John and Wright.

    About the bacon in this recipe: I call for thick-cut bacon here, and that's not merely a suggestion. Thin-cut bacon will scorch before the sugar has time to caramelize, and that's not delicious.

    Tips for making this bacon:

    Lining your baking sheet-

    Unless you want a sticky mess, I highly suggest that you don't forget to line your baking sheet with foil. 

    If you forget to line your baking sheet, you will have to spend hours scraping the solidified caramelized sugar from the bottom of the pan. Not fun!

    Sugar- 

    Due to its delicious caramel flavor when heated, brown sugar works best. Granulated white sugar can be used on the bacon, but the flavor won't be as rich.

    Bake your bacon-

    For brown sugar bacon- the bacon should only be baked. If you try out this recipe, don't try cooking it another way. It will not work well. This recipe bakes at 400F to caramelize the sugar. If your oven runs a little hot, turn it down to 390F - anything over 400 will cause all kinds of smoke!

     The sugar won't adhere to the bacon if you try to cook it on the stovetop, and a huge mess will result in the microwave. 

    Seasoning-

    If you want your bacon to be super sweet, you can skip adding additional seasonings. For me, just adding the brown sugar makes it too sweet. 

    I like to add black pepper and chili powder to balance out the sweetness and add a little kick to the bacon. And because it just tastes better!

    I also add a few chopped pistachios for crunch. This is optional - but encouraged.

    Brown sugar bacon on a marble slab
    Brown sugar bacon on a wire rack

    Brown Sugar Bacon

    KC Cornwell
    Bacon covered with brown sugar & roasted until crispy, caramelizing the brown sugar. YUM! Brown sugar bacon- the perfect salty & sweet combo
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 slices
    Calories 167 kcal

    Equipment

    • baking sheet
    • Tin foil
    • wire baking rack

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon  fresh ground black pepper
    • 8 slices thick-cut gluten-free bacon
    • ¼ cup shelled pistachios (OPTIONAL) finely chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set a wire baking rack inside the prepared pan and set aside.
    • In a shallow dish, combine the brown sugar, chili powder and pepper. Dredge the bacon slices in the brown sugar mixture and arrange the bacon on the rack. Pat any remaining sugar mixture onto the bacon.
      Bake in the preheated oven until crisp, about 20-25 minutes. (Tip: keep an eye n the bacon after 18 minutes.)
    • As soon as the bacon is out of the oven, sprinkle with the chopped pistachios if you're using them. Cool 5 minutes & serve.

    Video

    YouTube video

    Notes

    Tip: if your oven runs a little hot, turn it down to 390F – anything over 400F will cause all kinds of smoke.
    Nutrition facts calculated with added pistachios.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 167kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 154mgPotassium: 106mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 92IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 0.4mg
    Keyword Bacon, bacon recipes, brown sugar bacon, candied bacon, gluten-free

    photos by Meg van der Kruik - who now makes pig candy on repeat!

    How to make candied bacon with espresso

    Bacon & Coffee? Oh yeah, that's a thing.

    Once you've mastered the standard Brown Sugar Bacon recipe, try my Espresso Candied Bacon next!

    How to Make Oven Bacon

    How to Oven Bake Bacon:

    Cooking bacon in the oven is the easiest way to get crisp, evenly cooked strips. Plus, clean-up is way easier!

    Are you a bacon lover? If you are - check out these recipes!

    bacon wrapped persimmons recipe

    Bacon-Wrapped Persimmons

    This dish for bacon-wrapped persimmons is simple to prepare and wonderfully tasty. It's a straightforward appetizer or snack you can serve hot or cold.

    candied bacon bites

    Sweet & Salty Candied Bacon

    Bacon's delicious saltiness combined with the perfect amount of sugar and a kick. It's frighteningly simple to make these candied bacon nibbles.

    Bacon & Scallion Cloud Eggs

    This ideal keto-friendly breakfast is so enjoyable and simple to prepare that you will make it repeatedly.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Brown Sugar Bacon:

    What is another name for this bacon?

    Brown Sugar Bacon is also called Candy Bacon, Candied Bacon or Pig Candy.

    Do you use thick or thin-cut bacon for brown sugar bacon?

    Thick-cut bacon is the way to go when making candied bacon since it’ll still have some chewiness to it, and so the bacon cooks at the same time the sugar caramelizes. Unless you want super sweet shards of burnt bacon, stay away from thin-cut bacon. 

    How do you serve brown sugar bacon?

    You can serve your brown sugar bacon any way you like. It can either be the main show or the guest appearance. It's fabulous as part of a brunch spread or an appetizer at a party. It's also a fabulous gift.

    Can bacon have gluten?

    Yes, bacon and other cured meats can contain gluten in flavorings and spices. Gluten-free bacon is available from Pedersen Farms, Applegate, Jones Dairy Farm, and Wellshire Farms - these four brands make all of their bacon products without gluten. Additional brands that offer gluten-free bacon are Hormel, Oscar Meyer, Farmer John and Wright.

    Brown Sugar Bacon - The Best Pig Candy Recipe To Try Now

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    K.C. is a farm-grown foodie, born and raised in the fertile fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease following years of unexplained illness, she has infused her gluten-free life with flavor, fork in hand. Learn more about K.C.

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