This page may contain affiliate links, in which I get a commission for recommending a product to you.
Table of Contents
These billionaire bacon twists are a complete and total home run in my house every time we have them. This sweet and savory treat has all of the flavors you’d expect, and they all come through perfectly! If you want an easy recipe to wow your guests at the next party, holiday, or big game- this is the one for you! You could call this recipe pig candy and be 100% accurate! Maybe bacon candy? This recipe could be called a million dollar bacon recipe – but it’s better than that, that’s why it’s a billionaire!
This recipe is inspired by Snoop Dogg. In fact, he was the one who taught Martha Stewart this recipe. Maybe we should call this “Snoop Dogg Bacon”
Like this recipe? My cook book is loaded with them!
Let’s Prep:
Start preparing by getting your bacon ready. I prefer regular cut over thick cut bacon, they stay twisted better and don’t take as long to cook everything by grabbing a medium or small bowl and mix the brown sugar, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper together.
Mix well to combine evenly. This brown sugar mixture is the magic that transforms regular bacon into the billionaire’s candy bacon we’re after. Make sure everything is well-combined so each slice gets evenly coated with the flavor-packed rub.
Let’s Cook:
Follow me on YouTube!
Candy Bacon is on the way!
Get your smoker preheated to 400F, and while that’s running let’s start the candy bacon. Get each slice of bacon covered in your sugar/powder mixture and start twisting. This works best by holding one end still and twisting from one end only. It’ll be more even that way.
Not only does twisting them give a unique presentation of candy bacon, but it also makes the texture more pleasing to eat as well. It’ll give you a little more chewiness in a great way for the candy bacon.
Coat each bacon twist generously with the brown sugar mixture. Don’t be shy—get in there and make sure every inch of those bacon slices is covered.
When you put the candy bacon twists on the wire rack, it’s important to leave a little space in between each one so that you get a good air flow and they cook evenly. When you’ve got them done, put them in the smoker for the cook!
The cooking time is around 20-30 minutes, but keep an eye on them. You’ll want to pull them out when the sugar has caramelized, and the candy bacon is crispy but not burnt. Every smoker is a little different, so the time may vary slightly.
Let’s Eat:
Once they’re done, carefully remove the candy bacon twists from the smoker and place them on parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup. This varies from cooking bacon normally where I’d grab some paper towels to soak up the excess grease, but not needed with this recipe because it cooks on the cooling rack (wire rack). This is an important part of the process because not only does it stop the cooking process, but it also allows them to firm up and finish caramelizing.
Let them rest for a few minutes to not burn your mouth. The payoff of that first bite will be well worth the wait!
Serve this on a large plate or platter for a party or event, or right off the parchment paper if it’s just you eating them – either way, it’s a winner! They’re always the first thing to disappear at dinner parties, and I’ve even had friends ask for the recipe before they’ve finished their second bite!
These candy bacon twists have the perfect blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors that hit all the right notes. They make an amazing food option for breakfast, brunch, or even a late-night snack. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle a bit of maple syrup on top for an extra touch of sweetness. The billionaire’s bacon flavor will blow you away.
Tips:
If you’d like some extra heat, throw in some cayenne pepper or your favorite spicy ground pepper. The balance of the sweet and savory candy bacon works very well with more heat if you can take it!
You’ll want to store any leftovers (if there are any!) in an airtight container. They’ll keep their crispy texture For a couple of days. But let’s be honest—they probably won’t last that long! I prefer regular to thick-cut bacon for this recipe. The thick cut won’t stay twisted as well.
Final Thoughts
Billionaire bacon twists are hands down the best thing you can do with raw bacon. They’re simple to prepare, taste incredible, and make you feel like a superstar in the kitchen. You get a perfect balance of sweet and savory along with the tasty bites of crispy bacon. This is one of those delicious recipes that you’ll want to print and put in your recipe book.
Whether it’s for a special brunch, a dinner party, or just because you love bacon, these twists are a must-try. Grab your ingredients and get ready to make the best bacon twists you’ve ever tasted. And don’t be surprised when your guests ask for the recipe—just point them to this delicious bacon recipe!
Check out the recipe card below and find more recipes like this in my cook book
Ingredients
- ½ C Brown Sugar
- 1 TBSP Crushed Red Pepper
- 2 TBSP Black Pepper
- 1 lb Bacon
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 400F
- In a mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, crushed red pepper, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Coat each slice of bacon thoroughly with the sugar and pepper mixture. Twist each slice tightly to create spirals.
- Arrange the twisted bacon on a cooling rack. Make sure the bacon slices are not touching each other.
- Place the cooling rack with the bacon in the preheated smoker.
- Smoke the bacon for about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t char. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the bacon and the heat of your smoker.
- Once the bacon is cooked and has a nice caramelized coating, remove it from the smoker.
- Place the bacon twists on parchment paper and let them rest for 15 minutes. This will allow them to firm up and become nice and crispy.
2 Comments
If you don’t have a smoker, can you do it in the oven or air fryer?
Yup! Oven will be at the same time/temp as the recipe – I haven’t tested the air fryer so I can’t give you time / temp there – but others have told me they’ve done it.