Candied Bacon Sweet Spicy (Printable Version)
Thick-cut bacon coated in brown sugar and spices, baked or air fried to a crispy, caramelized finish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat
01 -
1 pound thick-cut bacon
→ Dry Ingredients
02 -
½ cup brown sugar
03 -
½ teaspoon cracked black pepper
04 -
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
05 -
½ tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Set your oven to 375°F and prepare a baking sheet lined with silicone liner, parchment paper, or aluminum foil to prevent sticking.
02 -
Place the thick-cut bacon evenly on the baking sheet without overlapping to ensure uniform cooking.
03 -
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, cracked black pepper, cayenne pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes until well blended.
04 -
Evenly sprinkle the sugar and spice blend over the bacon slices and gently press it onto each slice for thorough coverage.
05 -
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, checking at 30 minutes. Continue baking until the bacon is golden brown and crisp.
06 -
Transfer the bacon to a cooling rack and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the caramelized sugar to harden, enhancing crunch and flavor.
07 -
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. After coating the bacon with the sugar-spice mixture, spray the basket lightly with olive oil. Cook bacon for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through at 4 minutes for even crisping.
08 -
Serve cooled, candied bacon as a snack, garnish, or breakfast side dish.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Using a cooling rack allows excess fat to drain, resulting in crispier bacon.