This irresistible Candied Bacon recipe aka Millionaire’s Bacon or Pig Candy, is made with thick-cut bacon strips coated in a brown sugar mixture and baked until perfectly crispy and caramelized. This easy Candied Bacon recipe is the perfect addition to any breakfast or brunch and can be served as a delicious appetizer or salty snack!
Crispy Candied Bacon aka Pig Candy or Millionaire Bacon
There are many names given to this delicious bacon recipe. Some call it candy bacon, millionaire bacon, million dollar bacon or man candy bacon, I simply call it the best, most addicting, finger-licking good bacon.
The thick-cut bacon slices have crispy edges and a flavorful sweet crackly crust of melted brown sugar and black pepper. The combination of smoky, salty, sweet and savory flavors makes this easy recipe a great addition to your recipe repertoire.
Why You’ll Love This Candied Bacon Recipe?
- Easy: This 3-ingredients recipe is very easy to make and doesn’t require any special skills.
- Customizable: This simple recipe can be customized to your taste! Add chili powder or red pepper flakes to add a little heat or slather maple syrup with a pastry brush to make the most heavenly-delicious sweet maple bacon!
- Delicious: This salty treat is a great addition to your breakfast menu and always a huge hit when served as an appetizer at dinner parties, game night, ladies brunch or holiday parties.
What Is Candied Bacon?
Candy Bacon or Pig Candy is a crispy, sweet and salty 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 Recipe Ingredients
- Bacon: In this recipe the thickness of your bacon is important. The thinner slices of regular bacon combined with the caramelized sugar can result in burnt bacon if you don’t keep a watchful eye on it. I definitely prefer using center cut bacon which is cut into thick slices. As for the smoke all of the flavors will work. Some of my favorite are apple wood, hickory smoked and pecan smoked.
- Brown Sugar: I use light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar caramelizes faster in the oven than light brown sugar. The strips of bacon may not get crispy enough before the sugar burns.
- Ground Black Pepper: Fresh ground pepper is always best. Additionally, you can use ground cayenne pepper or chipotle powder for extra heat.
How to Make Candied Bacon
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For easy clean-up line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or a piece of parchment paper with an oven-safe wire rack on top.
- Arrange Bacon: Place bacon on an even layer on the oven slices in a single layer on the foil-lined baking sheet wire rack
- Season: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and black pepper. Sprinkle each slice of bacon evenly with the brown sugar mixture.
- Bake: Let the bacon cook for about 22-25 minutes or until the the sugar is bubbling and the bacon is crispy.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and transfer to a cooling rack. Cool for about 10 minutes and serve or store for later.
What Is Candied Bacon Made Of?
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.
How Long Does Candied Bacon Last?
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 Bacon Candy
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 or special occasions.
Recipe Variations:
- Spicy Pig Candy: Sprinkle ground cayenne pepper, chipotle powder or chili powder over the brown sugar/pepper mixture to add a spicy kick
- Maple Candied Bacon: Generously apply maple syrup with a basting brush all over the bacon and top it with the sugar and pepper. mixture.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Add finely chopped fresh rosemary to the sugar mixture.
- Nutty Salty Treat: Finely chopped pecans are a great addition to the brown 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 a side of bacon with eggs for breakfast or brunch.
- 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.
- Make the best tasting grilled cheese or add it to any other sandwich, burger or wrap.
- Add a savory element to your dessert! Bacon over ice cream is absolutely fabulous!
- Make homemade holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. Any bacon lover will thank you for it!
Candied Bacon Recipe Tips and Notes
- A simple 3-ingredients recipe requires good quality ingredients. Good quality center cut bacon is my go-to bacon for this recipe.
- Using a rimmed baking sheet pan with a wire rack on top and leaving some room between the bacon slices produces the best crispy bacon.
- 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.
- Make a double batch! You won’t regret it.
Candy 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.
Recipe Notes
- 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
Check out other Holiday Candy Favorites recipes, and event hosted by Take Two Tapas!
- 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
- 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
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