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    Maple Candied Bacon

    Breakfast Recipes Gluten Free Real Food December 13, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 24 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    Candied Bacon with a sweet and spicy maple glaze and chopped nuts is out of this world delish!

    Made with a sweet and slightly spicy maple glaze and chopped walnuts, this is an easy, irresistible recipe for Maple Candied bacon. 

    Just like Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole and Breakfast Sliders, Maple Candied Bacon is a satisfying breakfast recipe that is both sweet and salty.

    Candied Bacon on white serving platter next to scrambled eggs.

    It is hard to improve upon bacon. Crispy, crunchy, salty, and savory, bacon is a loved staple in so many homes.

    However, preparing candied bacon with a maple glaze takes a delicious breakfast staple and turns it into a memorable dish.

    This recipe for Maple Bacon uses my fool-proof technique of making Baked Bacon, but it amped up a few notches with the addition of the sweet and spicy maple glaze.

    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.

    It gets crispy, crunchy, and finger-licking good! It is the perfect compliment to eggs and toast Whole Wheat Pancakes or French Toast.

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients for Candied Bacon on counter with text overlay.
    • Bacon: I recommend using thick-cut pork bacon for the best results. That said, you can certainly use turkey bacon if you prefer.
    • Maple Syrup: Use only pure maple syrup when preparing maple bacon. Pancake syrup is not an acceptable substitute.
    • Spices: For candied bacon that is balanced in flavor, you want to use both warming spices and spices that pack a little bit of heat. For the perfect combination, this recipe uses cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
    • Nuts: The nuts are completely optional, but add a nice crunch and flavor to the bacon. Both walnuts and pecans are fabulous options.

    Notes on Equipment:

    • Baking Sheet Pan Fitted With Rack: The best pan to use when preparing bacon is a rimmed baking pan that is fitted with a heat-safe rack. The rack will let the air circulate around the bacon from every direction, allowing it to cook evenly. If you don't have a baking pan like this, you can use a broiler pan.
    • Foil: I highly recommend lining the bottom of your pan with foil to make clean-up easy.

    How to Make Candied Bacon

    • Line your baking pan with foil and top with the metal rack.
    • Lay the bacon out in a single even layer on the baking sheet, being sure to not overlap the slices of bacon. It is better to use two pans versus crowding the bacon all onto one pan.
    • Prepare the maple glaze by mixing together maple syrup with the spices until evenly combined.
    Maple syrup in small bowl with spices next to bacon on sheet pan.
    • Using a pastry brush, brush the maple syrup over each slice of bacon and sprinkle with nuts, if using.
    Side by side photo of bacon glazed with maple and then topped with nuts.
    • Bake until golden brown and to your desired level of crispiness.
    Candied Maple Bacon cooked and browned on baking sheet pan.
    • Once the bacon has been baked, allow it to cool slightly on the pan, and then remove it to a paper-towel-lined plate to fully cool.
    • Serve as desired.
    Candied Bacon on plate with scrambled eggs and oranges.

    How to Discard Bacon Grease Safely

    Don't pour the bacon grease down the drain, as it can cause plumping issues and blockages. Instead, let it cool and solidify and then wrap up the foil, with the hardened grease and discard it into the trash.

    Storage/Reheating Instructions

    If you happen to not devour this Maple Bacon within minutes of preparing, which is a commendable feat in my book, you can store the cooled bacon in an airtight container separated between sheets of parchment paper in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

    To reheat, place the bacon on a sheet pan fitted with a metal rack, or a broiler pan and bake at 400 degrees F for 3-4 minutes, or until crispy and warm.

    Pairing Suggestions for Maple Bacon

    While the obvious choice for serving Candied Maple Bacon is at breakfast or brunch, it also makes an unexpected (and LOVED!) appetizer, a delicious topping to a Strawberry Spinach Salad, and is fabulous in place of the sausage on Breakfast Sliders.

    But if traditional is more your thing, you can't go wrong serving Maple-Glazed Bacon with any of the following dishes.

    • Oven Poached Eggs
    • Asparagus Frittata
    • Green Chile Egg Casserole
    • Spinach Frittata
    • French Toast
    • Whole Wheat Pancakes

    If you tried this Maple Bacon, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Candied Bacon on white serving platter next to scrambled eggs.

    Maple Candied Bacon

    An easy recipe for candied bacon made with a sweet and slightly spicy maple glaze and chopped nuts.
    4.80 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 slices
    Calories: 105kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 12 ounces bacon thick-cut
    • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
    • ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and lay a metal baking rack over the foil.
    • Lay the bacon evenly out onto the rack, being sure to not overlap.
    • In a small mixing bowl, combine the maple syrup with the cinnamon, paprika, pepper, nutmeg, and cayenne. Brush the maple glaze over each slice of bacon and sprinkle with nuts if using.
    • Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until bacon is crisp and reaches your desired level of crispiness.
    • Remove the bacon from the oven and let cool on the baking pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool fully before serving.

    Equipment Needed

    • Baking Sheet with Rack

    Notes

    Maple Syrup: Only pure maple syrup will do for this maple glazed bacon. Imitation maple syrup will burn and taste too artificially sweet.
    Spices: 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.
    Nuts: Almonds or walnuts are a perfect addition to this candied bacon recipe, but you can certainly omit the nuts if you have nut allergies.
    Storage: Store the cooled bacon in an airtight container separated between sheets of parchment paper in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place the bacon on a sheet pan fitted with a metal rack, or a broiler pan and bake at 400 degrees F for 3-4 minutes, or until crispy and warm. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 105kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 54mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This post was originally published in 2018 but updated in 2022 with a new video and photos.

    « Homemade Hot Chocolate
    Ham and Egg Breakfast Casserole »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. rumikern

      August 09, 2019 at 9:02 pm

      5 stars
      this ought to come with an addiction warning!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 10, 2019 at 8:00 am

        HA! Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    2. Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet

      August 19, 2016 at 1:54 pm

      5 stars
      That's it, I'm coming over!! 😛 😛 😛 Love this recipe, Kristen. You nailed it! Photos look lovely too. <3 HUGS!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 19, 2016 at 10:03 pm

        You better come over!

        Reply
    3. Megan @ MegUnprocessed

      August 18, 2016 at 10:14 pm

      Those seasonings sound good!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 19, 2016 at 10:04 pm

        They make this!

        Reply
    4. Caroline

      August 16, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      I've heard of candied bacon but never made it - now I am wondering why, this looks so good!

      Reply
    5. laura@motherwouldknow

      August 16, 2016 at 10:11 am

      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:)

      Reply
    6. Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen

      August 16, 2016 at 8:32 am

      Love the sweet-and-spicy combo. And the platter that your bacon is on is just gorgeous!

      Reply
    7. Liz

      August 14, 2016 at 3:55 pm

      Your bacon is glazed and cooked to perfection. So wonderful with maple syrup!!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 14, 2016 at 9:04 pm

        Thanks Liz, Bacon and maple are a match made in heaven!

        Reply
    8. Denise Wright

      August 14, 2016 at 3:18 pm

      Wow that looks easier than I thought and what a beautiful piece of bacon! Great idea Kristen!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 14, 2016 at 9:04 pm

        Denise it is so easy! I hope you give it a try!

        Reply
    9. Carlee

      August 14, 2016 at 2:54 pm

      I'd cry happy tears too! And your pictures are amazing!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 14, 2016 at 9:04 pm

        Heehee. Thanks Carlee!

        Reply
    10. shelby

      August 14, 2016 at 6:11 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        August 14, 2016 at 9:06 pm

        Thanks Shelby! Sounds like you and my son think alike 😉

        Reply
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    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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