This irresistible Candied Bacon recipe (aka Millionaire’s Bacon or Pig Candy) is made with thick slices of bacon coated in brown sugar and baked in the oven until perfectly crispy and caramelized. Learn how to easily make Candied Bacon with only 3 ingredients and enjoy the best ultimate party snack!
We love bacon recipes and recipes that use bacon! After all, bacon makes everything more delicious. Some of our favorite recipes are Bacon in the Oven, super crispy Skillet Potatoes and Jalapeño Popper Quiche.
Candied Bacon or Pig Candy
There are many names given to this fantastic bacon recipe and there are many celebrities like Alton Brown and Snoop Dog making it. You may call it Candy Bacon, Millionaire Bacon, Man’s Bacon or simply delicious-sticky finger-licking-glazed-bacon. The name doesn’t matter however here are a few reasons why you should make it:
- Candy Bacon is super easy to make at home.
- This recipe is made with three ingredients and that includes the bacon!
- You can customize it to your taste by adding additional spices.
- Candied Bacon is easily made in the oven so clean up is a breeze!
- You can serve this addictively delicious treat as a snack, as an appetizer during the holidays or game night, as part of breakfast or brunch, or to top salads and sandwiches.
What Is Candied Bacon?
Candy Bacon or Pig Candy is a crispy, chewy, sweet, salty, smoky with a hint of spicy snack, made with slices of thick cut bacon coated with brown sugar and ground black pepper and baked in the oven until the sugar has caramelized and melted to a perfect glaze.
Candy Bacon Ingredients
- Bacon: Although you could use regular bacon, I prefer using center cut bacon which is cut into thick slices.
- Brown Sugar: I use light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar caramelizes faster in the oven than light brown sugar. The bacon may not get crispy enough before the sugar burns.
- Ground Black Pepper: Freshly ground is always best. Additionally, you can use ground cayenne pepper.
How to Make Candied Bacon
- Get Ready: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Arrange Bacon on a Wire Rack: Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking rack.
- Mix and Sprinkle: Mix the brown sugar and black pepper and sprinkle the mixture evenly over the bacon (do not flip and sprinkle on the second side).
- Bake: Bake for about 22-25 minutes or until the the sugar is bubbling and the bacon is crispy, rotating the sheets halfway through the cooking process.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Cool for about 10 minutes and serve.
Candied Bacon, Pig Candy or Millionaire Bacon is made with slices of pork bacon coated with brown sugar and ground black pepper and baked until crispy and caramelized. The result is mind blowing crispy, chewy, salty and savory glazed bacon.
After baked and cooled candy bacon can last for a few hours at room temperature and 4-5 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I like to store pig candy with sheets of wax paper between the layers of bacon to prevent the slices from sticking together.
How To Reheat Candy Bacon?
Candied bacon can be reheated in the microwave in intervals of 15 to 30 seconds. It heats up really quickly so keep an eye on it. You may want to line the plate with a piece of paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
Can This Recipe Be Made Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can make candied bacon ahead of time. It will keep in the fridge 4-5 days. This makes it a great homemade gift for the holidays and special occasions.
Recipe Variations:
- Sprinkle ground cayenne pepper or red paper flakes over the brown sugar/pepper mixture to add some extra heat.
- Generously brush the bacon with maple syrup before adding the sugar mixture.
- Add finely chopped fresh rosemary to the sugar mixture.
How To Serve Candied Bacon
Honestly, you can pile up some sticky bacon goodness on a plate and I would be happy however, here are a few ideas:
- Serve this crispy sweet and savory bacon as part of breakfast or brunch with your favorite egg dish. Learn how to poach eggs at home with our foolproof method!!
- Add it to your favorite Bloody Mary cocktail! This Bourbon Bloody Mary is amazing!
- Crumble it over your favorite soup or salad. We love topping this Slow Cooker Potato Corn Chowder with lots of bacon!!
- Candied bacon is the perfect topping for deviled eggs.
- Add it to burgers, sandwiches and wraps.
- Add a savory element to your snack! Serve a couple of slices with your favorite banana bread recipe.
- Make homemade holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. Any bacon lover will thank you for it!
Candy Bacon Recipe Tips
- Making a simple recipe with just a few ingredients requires to choose the best possible ingredients. Get good quality bacon. I prefer center cut bacon for this recipe. However, regular bacon (not thick-cut) can also be used. Adjust baking times accordingly.
- Using a baking sheet pan with a wire rack on top elevates the bacon slices giving it better circulation while baking. However, if you don’t have a rack, simply arrange the bacon directly on the sheet pan.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking pan. Leave a little room between slices for proper air circulation and a perfect crispy result.
- Baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the bacon used and/or your oven. Keep an eye on it and crisp it up to your taste.
- It is always a good idea to rotate the baking sheet(s) halfway through the baking process. This helps with even baking as many ovens tend to have hot spots.
- If you need to use 2 baking sheets to fit the bacon comfortably, place 2 oven racks in the upper-middle and lower-middle positions.
- Candied bacon can be made in the air fryer! Air fry it for about 10 minutes.
Welcome to #CandyFudgeFavorites Day hosted by Jennifer from Take Two Tapas! It’s the holidays and we are celebrating the holiday tradition of making candy and fudge!
Join me and my fellow bloggers as we share our favorite holiday candy and fudge recipes today. I know you will see some old favorites and I hope you find some new ones! More recipes below!
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Candied Bacon (Pig Candy)
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon about 12 slices *see notes
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the oven rack in the middle position.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the baking rack.
- Mix the brown sugar and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the bacon (do not flip and sprinkle on the second side). Use your fingers to spread the sugar mixture evenly over each slice.
- Bake for about 22-25 minutes or until the the sugar is bubbling and the bacon is crispy, rotating the sheets halfway through the cooking process.
- Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack or to a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cool for about 10 minutes and serve.
Video
Chef’s Tips
- Center cut, thick bacon works best.
- Don’t use dark brown sugar.
- Get good quality bacon for best results.
- Store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
- If you need to use 2 baking sheets to fit the bacon comfortably, place 2 oven
racks in the upper-middle and lower-middle positions - You can use 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper instead of the ground black
pepper.
Nutrition
- Rocky Road Fudge from Jennifer at Take Two Tapas
- Crockpot Peanut Clusters from Jennifer at Leftovers Then Breakfast
- Chocolate Orange Fudge from Michaela at An Affair From The Heart
- Champagne Truffles from Kathleen at The Fresh Cooky
- Candied Bacon from Kathy from Lemon Blossoms
- Slow Cooker Fudge from Ashley at Cheese Curd In Paradise
- 3-Ingredient Chocolate Almond Fudge from Julie at Hostess at Heart
- Rocky Road Clusters from Kathryn at Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog
- Sponge Candy from Inger at Art of Natural Living
- Bourbon Bacon Buckeyes from Terri at Our Good Life
- Honeycomb Candy from Jennifer at Jen Around the World
- Haystacks from Ellen at Family Around the Table
- Peppermint Pretzels from Rebecca at Devour Dinner
- Chocolate Almond Cranberry Clusters from Nicole at Daily Dish Recipes
- Turtle Fudge from Heather at Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Ube Coconut Truffles from Sue at Palatable Pastime
- Christmas Gum Drop Nougat Candy from Amy at Savory Moments
- Coconut Balls from Sheila at Life Love and Good Food
- Milk Chocolate Fudge from Radha at Magical Ingredients
Pablo says
This recipe made the BEST bacon I ever had at home!
Kathy says
Thank you