Bacon just got a whole lot more delicious with a delicious maple glaze! Made with a sweet and slightly spicy glaze and chopped walnuts--this is an easy, irresistible recipe for candied bacon.
This recipe uses my fool-proof technique of making Oven Baked Bacon, but it amped up a few notches with the addition of a maple glaze. It gets crispy, crunchy and finger-licking good! It is the perfect compliment to eggs and toast or Whole Wheat Pancakes or French Toast.
You only need a few simple ingredients to make perfect Candied Bacon.
Maple syrup, spices, and chopped nuts transform bacon from simply being smokey and savory to smokey, savory, sweet, and a bit spicy. As the bacon bakes, the glaze gets gooey, and sticky and helps the bacon to crisp up to an irresistible texture.
This maple glazed bacon recipe is sure to become your favorite breakfast side dish
How to Make Candied Bacon
The first step is to line a baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe cooling rack on the cookie sheet. Pro Tip: By using a cooling rack positioned on top of an oven sheet, you will let the air circulate your bacon from every direction, allowing it to cook evenly. And the foil underneath the rack makes cleanup a breeze.
Lay the bacon out in a single even layer on the baking sheet.
Next, prepare the maple glaze by mixing together maple syrup with the spices and finely chop the nuts.
Using a pastry brush, brush the maple syrup over each slice of bacon and sprinkle with the nuts.
Bake until golden brown and rendered.
Serve this Maple Bacon with:
Maple Candied Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 12 ounce package Hickory Smoked Nitrte Free Bacon
- ¼ cup pure Maple Syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ cup chopped nuts optional--I used walnuts, but pecans would be great
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line cookie sheet with foil and lay a cooling rack over the foil.
- Lay out bacon evenly on cooling rack.
- Mix together spices with maple syrup and brush over each slice of bacon. Sprinkle with nuts if using.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until bacon is crisp.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- I used a high quality, nitrate free pork bacon. Feel free to use any bacon you like, even turkey bacon.
- Only pure maple syrup will do for this maple glazed bacon. Imitation maple syrup will burn and taste too artificially sweet.
- The spice addition lends balance to the sweetness of the maple syrup, so you don't want to overlook the addition of paprika or pepper. If you don't have fresh nutmeg, omit the nutmeg. DO NOT substitute for dried ground nutmeg.
- Almonds or walnuts are a perfect addition to this candied bacon recipe, but you can certainly omit the nuts if you have nut allergies.
rumikern
this ought to come with an addiction warning!
Kristen Chidsey
HA! Glad you enjoyed!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet
That's it, I'm coming over!! 😛 😛 😛 Love this recipe, Kristen. You nailed it! Photos look lovely too. <3 HUGS!
Kristen Chidsey
You better come over!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Those seasonings sound good!
Kristen Chidsey
They make this!
Caroline
I've heard of candied bacon but never made it - now I am wondering why, this looks so good!
laura@motherwouldknow
Wow. This would be so great in a sweet and savory recipe. I usually just fry my bacon - never think about baking it. And with glaze:)
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Love the sweet-and-spicy combo. And the platter that your bacon is on is just gorgeous!
Liz
Your bacon is glazed and cooked to perfection. So wonderful with maple syrup!!!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Liz, Bacon and maple are a match made in heaven!
Denise Wright
Wow that looks easier than I thought and what a beautiful piece of bacon! Great idea Kristen!
Kristen Chidsey
Denise it is so easy! I hope you give it a try!
Carlee
I'd cry happy tears too! And your pictures are amazing!
Kristen Chidsey
Heehee. Thanks Carlee!
shelby
I would say everyone would have to watch out for their bacon with me around too! I love everything about this and the nutty crunch added is awesome!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Shelby! Sounds like you and my son think alike 😉