This easy maple-candied bacon recipe is sweet, smoky, and crusted in sugar. Quick to make and easy to enjoy for breakfast, brunch and snacks for entertaining.

If you invited me to a cocktail party, I’d bring this: sweet and smoky bacon slathered in pure maple syrup with a crisp, candied crust.
My maple-candied bacon recipe only takes 5 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes in the oven. I even foil the baking sheet a million times for easy clean up. The hardest part of this recipe is getting the bacon out of the bag!

How To Serve
Maple-candied bacon makes a great hors d’oeuvre (is that how you spell it?) to serve with cocktails. Any leftover bits can be thrown into salads and of course, there’s always the BLT.
Just a little warning my friends, these candied beauties are hard to resist!

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maple-candied bacon
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
Ingredients
- 1 lb. good quality bacon, sliced
- 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup (not pancake syrup)
- 1/4 c. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 F.
- Wrap a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with a wire rack.
- In a large bowl, add the maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Kosher salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
- Add the bacon to the bowl and toss gently with your hands. Make sure that all of the slices are evenly coated* See note below.
- Place the bacon in a single layer onto the wire rack.
- Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes. The bacon will be a bit brown, but will most likely need to bake for another 10-15 minutes. It should look slightly dark (not burnt) and crispy. If you take it out too soon, the texture will be chewy. Be patient!
- Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the rack. Don’t let them sit too long or else they will stick.
- Once cool enough to handle, you can break the bacon into chards (you’ll have about 32 pieces). Alternatively, you can leave them whole.
- Serve at room temperature.
Notes
*Note: When using a full pound, the bacon mixture will seem a bit dry when tossing with the glaze ingredients. This is how it’s supposed to be. Additional sauce is optional, but not necessary.


Comments
celia says
I think this could just about do me in, but what a way to go! :) They look amazing, Emilie, and not something I’ve ever heard of before. Thank you! And Happy New Year! :)
Emilie says
Ah, yes they are indulgent indeed! They’re quite the addicting snack too. So much for New Year’s resolutions :)
Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen says
Now these are the sort of food photos I love waking up to! What a great idea.. I’d invite you over any time if you brought these sweet slices:) I hope you’re enjoying your holidays!! … and that you had a wonderful Christmas Day!! xx
Emilie says
Ha ha…thanks Barbara! It’s a deal- I’ll bring the candied bacon if you make those cute mini hand pies :) Hope you had a great New Year!
Barbara S. says
What a girt…You amaze me with your creative cooking art!
Emilie says
Thanks Barbara! Everything’s better with bacon, no?
Merryl Chantrell says
Wow if they taste as good as they look and as good as you say I’m going to have a go because I have all the ingredients. I do like recipes like this :o)
Emilie says
Hi Merryl! If you like salty, sweet with a crispy crust then I’d say go for it! Note: use 1/4 c. of brown sugar (and not 2 tbsp.) I just caught a typo and updated the recipe! Sorry about that :) Let me know how they turn out!
Merryl Chantrell says
Thanks Emilie I have reprinted the recipe :o
Emilie says
Not a problem Merryl! I’m glad I caught it.
don says
is the bacon sticky? mess to touch?
Emilie says
Hi Don,
When preparing the recipe, the bacon is sticky when mixed together with the glaze ingredients. It is not sticky after it’s baked as long as it has cooled down properly.
Roma says
Who cares…it’s delicious, just eat it and wash your hands and stop stressing
Dolores Bonthoux says
Hi I have just made these… They are delish but what is the best way to store them ..?? Only using them tomorrow ..!!!
Robyn says
Did you use thin or thick sliced bacon
Emilie Raffa says
Hi there! Thick slice will work ;)