My oh my – candied bacon! Little strips of bacon caramelized with a generous sprinkling of dark brown sugar with a subtle touch of heat to gently tickle the back of your throat and leave you wanting one more bite.
This is an easy appetizer and makes an ideal pairing with most any beverage – from champagne to a cold bottle of beer to a vintage cocktail.
Candied bacon is made with a simple collaboration of ingredients. Bacon, brown sugar, chili powder and black pepper.
The spices are whisked into the brown sugar then everything is sprinkled over small pieces of bacon, offering just a bite or two.
For the bacon, grab the leanest you can find and pick a thicker cut that will hold up while the sugar caramelizes in the oven. You can make these luscious bits in advance and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Then simply allow enough time to let them come to room temp – about 30 minutes or so – and you’re good to go!
Your guests will love this decadent little appetizer – it’s a celebration of flavor in your mouth and a fun way to ring in the New Year!
Sugar and Spiced Candied Bacon
10 slices lean, thick-sliced bacon, about ¾ pound
½ cup dark brown sugar
1-½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Cut the strips of bacon into thirds. Spread the pieces of bacon out onto rimmed baking sheets lined with heavy-duty foil.
Break up any lumps in the brown sugar using your hands if needed. Whisk the brown sugar together with the chili powder and the black pepper.
Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the tops of the bacon pieces covering each piece completely.
Bake in a 400-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bacon pieces are almost crisp and the sugar is melted and caramelized. The bacon will firm up as it cools. Immediately transfer the bacon pieces to a wired rack to cool completely.
Keep the candied bacon chilled in a sealed container. Serve at room temperature – with plenty of napkins!
Makes 30 pieces.
Sugar and Spiced Candied Bacon
Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet
- wire rack for cooling
Ingredients
- 10 slices lean, thick-sliced bacon, about ¾ pound
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1-½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the strips of bacon into thirds. Spread the pieces of bacon out onto rimmed baking sheets lined with heavy-duty foil.
- Break up any lumps in the brown sugar using your hands if needed. Whisk the brown sugar together with the chili powder and the black pepper.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the tops of the bacon pieces covering each piece completely.
- Bake in a 400-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the bacon pieces are almost crisp and the sugar is melted and caramelized. The bacon will firm up as it cools.
- Immediately transfer the bacon pieces to a wired rack to cool completely.
- Keep the candied bacon chilled in a sealed container. Serve at room temperature.
