Sweet, smoky and perfectly crisp, this Maple Candied Bacon recipe is coated with pure maple syrup, brown sugar and cayenne for the ultimate candied bacon recipe.
Take bacon to the next level with this sweet and spicy maple bacon recipe that’s easy enough for everyday breakfasts and special enough for holiday brunches.
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Candied Bacon
If you've never made homemade Maple Candied Bacon, get ready because you're about to discover one of the easiest ways to transform ordinary bacon into an unforgettable sweet-and-savory treat.
This maple bacon recipe is easy to make, incredibly versatile, and guaranteed to become one of your favorite bacon recipes.
Thick slices of bacon are coated with rich maple syrup, brown sugar, and just a hint of cayenne for the perfect balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors.
As it bakes, the maple syrup caramelizes into a glossy coating while the bacon becomes irresistibly crisp around the edges.
100% pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, will give the bacon a deep maple flavor that perfectly complements the smoky bacon.
This flavor-packed bacon is perfect for breakfast, brunch, appetizers, holiday gatherings, or even as a snack all on its own.
Whether you're serving it alongside pancakes, topping burgers, crumbling it over salads, on a sandwich or adding it to a charcuterie board, this recipe is always a favorite.
Candied bacon looks impressive enough for entertaining and is also incredibly easy to make with just a handful of pantry ingredients.
And your kitchen will smell absolutely amazing while it bakes. That’s a win-win in my book!
Once you taste this homemade Maple Bacon, you'll want to make an extra batch because everyone will be asking for seconds.
So whether you're planning a holiday brunch, serving the ultimate brunch buffet, or just want a tasty snack or crispy treat, this Maple Bacon recipe delivers the perfect combination of sweet maple flavor, smoky bacon, caramelized brown sugar, and just a touch of heat.
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How to make candied bacon
This is a quick overview of how to make this brown sugar bacon recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Step 1: Arrange bacon slices on the prepared baking sheet
- Step 2: Combine maple syrup, brown sugar and cayenne in a bowl
- Step 3: Brush both sides of the bacon with the maple glaze
- Step 4: Cook until the bacon is done to your desired crispiness
Hint: Thick cut bacon will give you the best results. However, if you prefer to use regular cut bacon, just be sure to adjust your cooking time.
Expert recipe tips
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Be sure to place the bacon on a wire rack set over the baking sheet so that any excess fat drips away while the bacon crisps.
- For the best texture, use thick-cut bacon.
- Brush the maple mixture evenly over each slice.
- Let the bacon cool for several minutes before serving to allow the glaze to set.
Substitutions
- Thick Cut Bacon - For extra smoky flavor, choose applewood smoked or hickory smoked bacon.
- Thick Cut Bacon - Turkey bacon or regular cut bacon can be used instead of bacon but you may have to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of your bacon.
- Cayenne – For a smoky heat, use a pinch of chipotle powder instead of cayenne.
- Cayenne – If you prefer a miler spice, you can replace cayenne with chili powder or smoked paprika.
- Dark Brown Sugar - Light brown sugar can replace dark brown sugar.
- Maple Syrup – For a sweet heat, hot honey can be substituted for half of the maple syrup.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only 4 ingredients
- Sweet, smoky, salty flavors with a hint of spice
- Oven baked for perfectly even cooking
- Great for breakfast, brunch, appetizers and entertaining
- Easy enough for everyday cooking
- Perfect for holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter brunch
- Delicious on burgers, sandwiches, salads and charcuterie boards
- Can be made ahead and served at room temperature or warmed up
Serving Suggestions
This sweet and smoky bacon is delicious served with:
- Belgian waffles
- Bloody Mary cocktails
- BLT sandwiches
- Breakfast casseroles
- Burgers
- Charcuterie boards
- Egg dishes
- French toast
- Macaroni and cheese
- Maple glazed Brussels sprouts
- Overnight Oats
- Pancakes
- Salads
Variations
There are countless ways to customize this candied maple bacon recipe.
- Add cracked black pepper for a sweet and peppery finish.
- For a smokier flavor, sprinkle with smoked paprika.
- For a fall-inspired flavor, add cinnamon, apple pie spice or pumpkin spice.
- After baking, sprinkle with chopped pecans.
- Drizzle with additional maple syrup before serving.
- Use this bacon as a topping for burgers, waffles, mac and cheese, pancakes, baked potatoes or salads.
Storage
- Refrigerator - Store leftover maple bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating - To reheat, place on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes or warm in an air fryer until crisp again.
- Freezer – You can freeze cooked maple bacon in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. I recommend separating the bacon slices with parchment paper for easy removal.
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
FAQ
Yes. You can bake it one day or two days ahead and reheat in the oven or in your air fryer before serving.
The wire rack allows the hot air to circulate around the bacon and also lets the excess grease drip away. This helps to create crispier bacon.
Absolutely. You can omit the cayenne for candied bacon without the heat.
Ingredients
Ingredients for bacon with maple syrup
- Bacon - Thick-cut bacon works best because it holds up beautifully to the maple glaze while baking. The thicker slices stay tender inside, become perfectly crisp around the edges, and create the ideal balance of chewy and crunchy texture.
- 100% Pure Maple Syrup – For the richest flavor, be sure to use 100% real maple syrup and not pancake syrup.
- Dark Brown Sugar - Dark brown sugar adds rich molasses notes that deepen the caramelized coating and enhance both the sweetness and smoky flavor of the bacon.
- Cayenne – You only need a very small amount of cayenne pepper to add a gentle heat that balances the sweetness without overpowering the bacon. You can easily adjust the amount depending on your preferred spice level.
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What to serve with candied bacon
Maple Candied Bacon Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1/2 pound thick cut bacon
- 1/3 cup 100% pure maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
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Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil an top with a wire rack.
- In a bowl combine the maple syrup, brown sugar and cayenne.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Using a pastry brush, brush both sides of the bacon with the maple sugar mixture.
- Cook for 20 minutes or until desired doneness and crispness.
- Cool for about 15 minutes or until the bacon has firmed up a bit.
- To serve as an appetizer, cut each slice of bacon in half to form two smaller pieces.
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