Spicy Candied Bacon Crackers with Jalapenos

Name: Spicy Candied Bacon Crackers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 24 Club Crackers; 1/3 C Brown Sugar; 1 tsp Black Pepper; 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; 12 Strips Bacon (thin / regular sliced); 1 Jalapeno (sliced)

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These spicy candied bacon crackers are hands-down one of my favorite ways to turn simple ingredients into a show-stopping snack. The sweet and smoky flavor of the candied bacon, the crunch of the cracker, and the heat from the jalapeno all come together for a perfect combination that you’ll want to make again and again.

A plate of bacon crackers rests on a zigzag-patterned dish. The candied bacon crackers are topped with slices of fresh jalapeños, and a spatula is visible in the background on a wooden surface.

If you’re anything like me, candied bacon is your weakness! This recipe for spicy candied bacon crackers takes the concept of candied bacon to a new level, combining bacon strips with a touch of spice, a hint of sweetness, and that perfectly crisp cracker base.

As they cook, the crackers soak up the sweet bacon fat for an unbelievably buttery, crispy flavor. You get the sweet, smoky flavor first, but then then a little heat comes in from the jalapeno and red pepper flakes. They’re so snackable and the perfect bite-sized treat for any game day party, holiday gathering, and more.

Whether you’ve seen me make these on social media or are just now hearing about them, I’m so glad you’re here to give them a try. These are the ultimate tasty treat for any gathering—or just for yourself if you’re up for it.

Love bacon-infused snacks just like me? Try this Dr. Pepper Candied Bacon or this out-of-control Bacon Wrapped Pineapple with Fireball Glaze.

Why you’ve got to try this Candied Bacon Crackers Recipe

Crowd-pleasing appetizer for game days and parties
Sweet, spicy, and savory in all the right ways
Made with red pepper chili flakes and sliced jalapeno for a fiery heat
The bacon fat will melt into the crackers for extra crispiness and a salty, savory bite
Quick enough to make at the last minute
Ready in about 35-45 minutes

Ingredients

Club Crackers – Or another buttery cracker.
Brown Sugar – To help candy the bacon. Either light or dark brown sugar will work.
Seasonings – Season with black pepper, crushed red pepper, and garlic powder/
Regular bacon – Either thin or regular-cut bacon. I don’t recommend thick cut bacon for this as it’s going to take too long to cook through and your sugar mixture will likely burn and produce off-flavors when cooking.
Sliced jalapeno – For a little heat. The jalapeno basically candies with the sugar from the bacon, so it ends up being absolutely delicious.

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How to Make Candied Bacon Crackers

The thickness of your bacon will make a difference, so thinner bacon wraps around the crackers easily and crisps up well. Take each cracker, wrap it in one of the half bacon slices, and make sure the ends of the bacon slice are on the bottom. This keeps everything snug and in place while baking.

Preheat oven or smoker to 350F.
Slice the jalapeno, set aside.
In a small bowl, mix together the Brown Sugar, Red Pepper, Garlic Powder and Black Pepper and set aside. Mix well to combine.
Slice a slab of bacon in half and wrap each half slice of bacon around the edges of the crackers, making sure that the part where the ends of the piece of bacon meet is on the bottom.
Place bacon wrapped cracker on a wire rack in a single layer, being careful not to touch. If any pieces of bacon are touching, they won’t crisp up.
Place a pinch of the sugar mixture on top of each bacon wrapped cracker and spread evenly with your finger.
Add a slice of jalapeno on top of each one and place in oven or smoker.
Cook for 30-35 minutes until bacon is caramelized and turning an amber color but not burning. Check after 20 minutes.
Remove from oven/smoker and allow to sit on the wire rack for minimum 15 minutes. This will allow the crackers to crisp back up as they absorbed the bacon grease will cooking.

You’re looking for that perfect caramelized color—a rich amber that tells you the caramelized sugar is ready and the bacon candy is cooked through.

Here’s a little trick: when the candied bacon crackers come out of the oven, they’ll still be a little soft. This is totally normal since the crackers have been absorbing all that delicious bacon grease while cooking. Let them sit on the wire rack for at least 15 minutes—this is key for that crispy edges texture. As the crackers cool – the crisp back up.

Sliced bacon is displayed on black packaging, resting on a wooden cutting board with a herringbone pattern. A gloved hand is partially visible to the right, ready to prepare spicy candied bacon crackers.

A gloved hand is mixing a spicy blend of brown sugar and red chili flakes in a white bowl, set on a wooden surface preparing to make candied bacon wrapped crackers.

Slices of bacon-wrapped crackers topped with jalapeño slices are arranged on a grill rack, ready to make candied bacon crackers.

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Storing Suggestions

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day or two, though they’re truly best enjoyed on the same day. You can even crumble them over French toast for an extra indulgent breakfast food topping—talk about a flavor bomb! This amazing recipe is versatile, so feel free to get creative with it.

Tips & Variations

Use a large rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips for easy cleanup. A piece of parchment paper on there makes the cleanup even easier.
Keep a close eye on the crackers toward the end of the baking time. Bacon can go from caramelized to burnt pretty fast! If you prefer a milder flavor, skip the jalapeno or reduce the crushed red pepper flakes.
To get that millionaire’s bacon feel, go for pure maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a more classic maple bacon vibe.

How to Serve

Now my favorite part, let’s dig into the spicy candied bacon crackers. Serve them soon after cooking and they’ll be a hit with everyone that tries them. They are perfect for the big game, tailgate, or as a snack for brunch.

You can serve them on their own or with your favorite dip, like my Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball. Pair with your favorite appetizers, like my Dr. Pepper Little Smokie recipe or some of my Chicken Fried Jalapeno Poppers. It’s fun to share them with friends and see what they think!

Close-up of spicy candied bacon wrapped crackers topped with jalapeño slices on a wooden table. A patterned blue and white plate with more candied bacon crackersis in the background.

FAQs

Can you use different crackers?

Yes, but I recommend sticking with buttery Club crackers or Ritz crackers. They can handle soaking up the bacon fat and the flavor works great with the bacon and jalapeno. Other types of crackers won’t add quite the same experience.

Can you make candied bacon crackers in an air fryer?

The air fryer is basically a mini convection oven, and works great for this recipe. Just remember that they tend to run a little hot, especially since the crackers will be closer to the heating element. It can help to drop the heat about 15-25 degrees and watch them carefully. You’ll also want to make sure none of the crackers are touching, and you’ll only be able to cook a small batch at a time. It’s much more efficient to make a bunch in the smoker or oven on a lined baking sheet.

More Candied Bacon Recipes

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