Home Recipes by Type Appetizers/Snacks
GFGluten-FreeDFDairy-Free
4.46
/5
45 minutes mins
4 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 12/23/2019
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Candied bacon, “pig candy”, bacon candy, pork candy, call it what you will, this irresistible treat will have everyone calling for more! This candied bacon recipe is easy to whip up and is a guaranteed favorite!
Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: This is an easy appetizer using ordinary ingredients. It’s always a hit!
How long it takes: 10 minutes to prep, 35 minutes in the oven
Equipment you’ll need: rimmed baking pan, wire rack that fits inside the pan
Servings: 10

Table of Contents close
- 1 Recipe Overview
- 2 What is candied bacon?
- 3 How do you make candied bacon?
- 5 More Bacon Appetizers
- 6 Get the Recipe: Candied Bacon Recipe
Have you tried candied bacon, aka, “pig candy”? Made with thick cut bacon, brown sugar, and spices, it’s finger-licking good.
My in-laws recently celebrated their marriage (44 years!) by renewing their vows on a beautiful September day at a lovely nearby park. After a tender and nostalgic service, during which there were few dry eyes, guests were treated to a luncheon catered by a local restaurant.
We started with appetizer platters stacked with candied bacon and skewers of fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil drizzled with balsamic reduction. Guests were lined up waiting to pile their plates with these yummy appetizers. There was a lot of delicious food served that afternoon but I have to say that the appetizers were the best! May I say that we “pigged out”? Or is that too corny?
Sticky, crunchy, salty, sweet, spicy, and lots of umami, candied bacon covers all the bases. No wonder it’s always a hit!
Looking for more special occasion appetizers? Be sure to take a look at my list of 32 easy holiday appetizers!

What is candied bacon?
Candied bacon is simply thick cut bacon, dredged in a mixture of brown sugar, and spices, and baked until crispy. It smells so good when it’s baking, you’ll hardly be able to wait to take it out of the oven and try it.

How do you make candied bacon?
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Prepare a baking pan by lining it with heavy duty foil and placing a baking rack on it. Spray the rack lightly with non-stick spray.
- Using a large bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne, and black pepper. You can customize the spices to your own preference, making it more or less spicy.
- Separate the bacon into slices and dredge the slices with the sugar mixture, rubbing lightly to help the sugar adhere to the bacon.
- Arrange the slices on the baking rack and bake until crispy, 30 to 35 minutes. Cooking time will depend on how thick your bacon slices are. Watch closely at the end of the cooking time so that they don’t get too brown. You may want to remove slices that are getting done more quickly.
- Cool slightly. The slices will crisp up a bit as they cool.

Storage & Reheating Tips
Candied bacon is delicious warm or at room temperature. If you would like to reheat it, put it on foil and warm it up in the oven for 10 minutes or so.
It should be kept in a covered container in the fridge or freezer, between wax paper layers so it doesn’t stick together. Keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Don’t be surprised if you open the container and it has completely disappeared though.

More Bacon Appetizers
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Recipe
Get the Recipe: Candied Bacon Recipe
4.46 from 22 votesPrep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
10 servings
Print Rate Recipe
Candied bacon, "pig candy", bacon candy, pork candy, call it what you will, this irresistible treat will have everyone calling for more! This candied bacon recipe is easy to whip up and is a guaranteed favorite!
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick cut bacon (see note)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top of lined baking sheet. Spray rack lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, chili powder, cayenne, and black pepper.
Cut bacon in half if you would like smaller pieces. Dredge bacon in spice mixture so both sides are coated, rubbing it in with your fingers to make it stick well.
Arrange bacon in a single layer on wire rack. Sprinkle any remaining spice mixture over the top of bacon slices.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Check frequently toward the end of the cooking time to make sure bacon doesn’t get too brown. Let cool slightly before serving. Bacon strips will get crisper as they cool.
Notes
- I use “butcher” thick cut bacon. If you use regular thick cut bacon, or a thinner cut, decrease the cooking time.
- Don’t cool this bacon on paper towel lined plates, it will stick!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 2pieces, Calories: 232kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 305mg, Potassium: 108mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 68IU, Vitamin C: 0.04mg, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 0.3mg
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Author: Rachel Gurk
You May Also Like...
Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe
Baked Bacon Recipe - How to Bake Bacon Two Ways
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Sugared Cranberries | Candied Cranberries Recipe
Reader Interactions
Leave a Review
Kim says
Hi Rachel. What an amazing mix of flavors! Great advice for storing and reheating this treat. It will satisfy any bacon lover.
Reply
Rachel Gurk says
For sure! Thanks Kim!
Reply
denise says
It wouldn’t last long in our house. Sounds so good.
Reply
Rachel Gurk says
It’s irresistible!
Reply