Candied Bacon (2024)

Candied Bacon (aka Pig Candy) is the ultimate, easy, party snack that leaves everybody satisfied & coming back for more! Can’t you just imagine biting into a thick crispy slice of bacon, caramelized with brown sugar and maple syrup topped with pecans, seasoned with cayenne? It’s an amazing treat!

Candied Bacon (1)
Table of Contents
  1. What you need
  2. How to Make Candied Bacon
  3. How long does candied bacon last?
  4. What are some different variations of toppings?
  5. How to serve candied bacon?
  6. Give Candied Bacon a try with these recipes
  7. Candied Bacon Recipe

I heard about candied bacon years ago and initially thought, “no way”. But then it was on the menu at a brunch I attended at a food conference in Oregon and obviously I had to try it. As soon as I took my first bite I understood what all the fuss was about. It’s a wonderful salty, sweet, savory bite that will blow your tastebuds out of the water!

If you are a bacon lover, be sure to dive into some of my other favorite bacon snacks like Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers, Bacon Green Onion Deviled Eggs, & Bacon Ranch Cheeseball.

Candied Bacon (2)

Candied Bacon, also known as Pig Candy, originally gained popularity in Washington D.C. from what I can tell. It was served to patrons as an alternative bar food snack and from there the bacon spread. It has a generous amount of brown sugar and maple syrup to give it is ‘candied’ taste and appearance. This candied bacon recipe makes a delicious snack or appetizer and can be served warm or cold.

If you find you love this candied bacon, you might also want to try chocolate covered bacon next!

Candied Bacon (3)

What you need

  • Bacon: Regular or thick-cut with both work great, although thick-cut will be chewier and take longer to crisp up.
  • Brown Sugar: Will sweeten up the bacon and help with caramelization.
  • Pecans: You’ll want to use finely chopped pecans here.
  • Salt: Even though bacon is salty already, the pecans and brown sugar we are adding is not, so a little bit of salt keeps things balanced.
  • Pepper: Some bacon already comes peppered. In this case, you can leave it out or add more if you’d like.
  • Cayenne: If you don’t like spicy, just leave this out.
  • Maple Syrup: Helps add sweetness and moisture to the candied mixture.
Candied Bacon (4)

How to Make Candied Bacon

  1. Arrange the bacon on a wire rack. Be careful not to overlap the bacon pieces. You can also cut the bacon slices in half crosswise for smaller servings if desired. It is okay to use more than one pan.
  2. Combine the brown sugar, pecans, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Pulse in a food processor (affiliate link) until pecans are finely chopped and ingredients are combined. Add maple syrup and pulse again.
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  1. Lather up the bacon. Spoon some of the sugar mixture over each slice of bacon and use your fingers or the back of the spoon to spread it all over each slice of bacon until it has all been used up.
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Candied Bacon (8)
  1. Bake and Enjoy! Bake until the bacon is crispy and the topping is browned. Cool and enjoy!
Candied Bacon (9)

How long does candied bacon last?

Your bacon should last up to 3 weeks stored in an airtight container in the fridge. In the freezer it can last up to six months. Just reheat and crisp up the bacon in the oven before serving.

What are some different variations of toppings?

Leave out the nuts if you don’t like them or have a guest with allergies. You could also add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a slightly different flavor profile. You could also sub honey for the maple syrup or even dip half of the bacon in melted chocolate.

Candied Bacon (10)

How to serve candied bacon?

Enjoy warm or at room temperature served either as an appetizer or snack. Or add to salads or sandwiches, or even use it on desserts like cakes, cookies, cupcakes, or brownies! Candied bacon is amazing with eggs, omelets, eggs benedict, cinnamon rolls, etc.

Candied Bacon (11)

Give Candied Bacon a try with these recipes

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.

Candied Bacon

5 from 2 votes

Amy Nash

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Candied Bacon (aka Pig Candy) is the ultimate, easy, party snack that leaves everybody satisfied & coming back for more! Can't you just imagine biting into a thick crispy slice of bacon, caramelized with brown sugar and maple syrup topped with pecans, seasoned with cayenne? It's an amazing treat!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon (regular or thick cut, although thick cut will be chewier and take longer to crisp up)
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top of it.

  • Arrange the bacon on top of the wire rack being careful not to overlap the bacon pieces. You can also cut the bacon slices in half crosswise for smaller servings, if desired. You may need more than one pan.

  • Combine the brown sugar, pecans, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a food processor (affiliate link) and pulse several times to combine and finely chop the pecans. Drizzle in the maple syrup and pulse again to moisten.

  • Spoon some of the sugar mixture over each slice of bacon and use your fingers or the back of the spoon to spread it all over each slice of bacon until it has all been used up.

  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the topping is browned. Keep in mind that the bacon will crisp up a bit more as it cools. If you would like the bacon crispier, you can always cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, if desired.

  • Enjoy warm or at room temperature served either as an appetizer or snack. Or add to salads or sandwiches, or even use it on desserts like cakes, cookies, cupcakes, or brownies! Candied bacon is amazing with eggs, omeletts, eggs benedict, with cinnamon rolls, etc.

Notes

  • Variations: Leave out the nuts if you don’t like them or have a guest with allergies. You could also add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a slightly different flavor profile. You could also sub honey for the maple syrup.

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 641mg | Potassium: 116mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

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About the author

Candied Bacon (20)

Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

Learn More

Candied Bacon (2024)

FAQs

How to make Snoop Dogg billionaire bacon? ›

Billionaire bacon is a spicy variation of a candied version made popular by Snoop Dogg's cookbook, From Crook to Cook. How to make Snoop Dogg's bacon? Mix brown sugar, red pepper flakes, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika and rub it over thick-cut bacon. Then, bake it on a wire rack until crispy.

What is the secret to perfect bacon? ›

Lay out the bacon strips without overlapping in a cold pan. This helps the fat render slowly, for consistently cooked strips. 3: Cook over medium heat — again, good for even rendering. Turn the strips as needed until they reach the desired crispness, 8 to 12 minutes.

How to make crispy bacon that melts in your mouth? ›

Place your bacon in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place in the cold oven then set the heat to 425 degrees. This renders the fat, giving you that melt in your mouth crispy bacon. Check the bacon after 15 minutes, mine gets just the way I like it after exactly 20 minutes.

How long does candied bacon last? ›

You can store the cooked candied bacon in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Store it in an airtight container, such as a large zipper bag or plastic container with a lid. To reheat bacon in the microwave, place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds.

Is Snoop a vegetarian or Vegan? ›

Snoop Dogg isn't vegan (yet). But that said, his promotion of vegan-friendly options is pushing fans and consumers in the plant-based direction. Here are seven Snoop stunts to encourage even the most stubborn of meat eaters that plant-based fare is the way to go.

Does sprinkling flour on bacon make it crispy? ›

The flour definitely helped to give the bacon a crispier texture and nicer color than the other methods I tried. Plus, it seems like the flour prevented the bacon from curling too much. The starch soaks up the grease from the bacon, helping it to stay rigid and maintain its shape.

What seasoning makes bacon taste better? ›

Even though it doesn't necessarily come with a mild flavor, bacon is a total blank canvas. With the help of some extra ingredients and spices for your bacon, you can take its original savory, salty, and smoky flavor and enhance it with things like chili powder and coffee, Sriracha, maple syrup, brown sugar, or honey.

Why do chefs add water to bacon? ›

The addition of water keeps the initial cooking temperature low and gentle, so the meat retains its moisture and stays tender as the fat renders. Plus, since the water helps render the fat, there will be significantly less splatter as your bacon finishes in the pan.

How do Americans get their bacon crispy? ›

A method rising in popularity is baking bacon in the oven. Similar results as pan frying can be achieved with baking without all the messiness of grease splatters to clean up. American-style bacon can also be cooked quickly in the microwave, on the grill, or even blanched in boiling water.

Why is my bacon chewy instead of crispy? ›

Crowding the Pan

As with other meats, allow some room between strips, about an inch, when placing bacon in the pan. Crowding creates steam and prevents the bacon from cooking evenly, giving you limp bacon instead of crispy strips.

Where did candied bacon originate? ›

According to author Fred Thomspon, who chronicles all sorts of culinary delights in his savory book, Bacon: The Savor the South Cookbook, the history of this delicious snack, is, unsurprisingly, a bit of a mystery. Candied bacon is believed to have first gained popularity in Washington, D.C.'s party circuit.

Can I reheat candied bacon? ›

Reheating Candied Bacon

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet. This is like candy – we love it! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

Can you freeze candied bacon? ›

Bake the candied bacon ahead of time, then refrigerate for up to five days or freeze for up to one month. The spicy-sweet strips are best served barely warm, so reheat in the microwave for 10 to 20 seconds before plating with soft scrambled eggs or crumbling over a salad.

What is in Twin Peaks Billionaire bacon? ›

Also known as “pig candy,” candied bacon or millionaire's bacon, the version at sports-bar chain Twin Peaks features thick-cut hickory-smoked artisan bacon baked with brown sugar, red chile flakes, black pepper, smoked paprika and cayenne. Slow-roasting yields a candied, crispy bacon.

How much does just eat pay Snoop Dogg? ›

Media estimates of what Snoop Dogg was paid vary considerably, with some sources speculating that he received more than £5m.

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