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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.
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.
Let’s Prep:
To start, gather your ingredients: you’ll need Club Crackers (24 of them), brown sugar, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and, of course, bacon slices. I like using thin or regular bacon here so that it crisps up nicely around the crackers.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. Lastly, grab a fresh jalapeno for that spicy flavor we’re wanting.
Next, it’s time to make the candy coating for our bacon crackers! In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, black pepper, crushed red pepper, and garlic powder. This brown sugar mixture is going to give us that delicious blend of sweetness with a hint of spicy flavors. Set it aside while we work on wrapping the crackers.
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Take a strip of bacon and cut it in half to make wrapping easier. 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.
Let’s Cook:
Candied Bacon Crackers on the way!
Preheat your oven (or smoker) to 350°F. I love using a large baking sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy clean up. If you have a wire rack that’s oven-safe, place it on top of the baking pan.
Place each bacon-wrapped cracker on the oven-safe wire rack, arranging them in a single layer with a little space between each one. Having space will make sure everything cooks evenly. If a part of the bacon is covered, it won’t cook.
Once you’ve got them all spaced on the rack it’s time to add the sugar mixture on top, and begin turning this into pig candy! Use a 2-3 finger pinch for each one, and use your index finger to spread a thin layer evenly across the bacon. This will make sure everything cooks evenly. Add a slice of jalapeno on top for a bit of bit of heat.
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Pop the tray into the center of the oven, or smoker and bake for about 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on them after about 20 minutes to make sure the bacon isn’t burning. 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. It’s okay if the crackers look a bit soft when you pull them out; they’ll firm up as they cool.
Cooling and Crispy Perfection
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.
Let’s Eat:
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 trys them. They are perfect for the big game, tailgate, or as a snack for brunch.
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.
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.
Tips for Best Results
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 if you want a more classic maple bacon vibe.
Spicy Candied Bacon Cracker
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
Instructions
- 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 a club cracker, making sure that the part where the ends of the bacon slice meet is on the bottom.
- Place bacon wrapped cracker on a wire rack in a single layer, not touching
- 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.
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