Smoked Candied Bacon Twists - Easy Bacon Recipe

Watch Me Make It

If you're a bacon lover like me, you're always looking for a way to take things up a notch. These smoked candied bacon twists do exactly that. Hear me out twisted bacon isn’t just another crispy bacon recipe—this is that whole new level of crazy addictive, sweet-and-savory goodness that'll have people grabbing for seconds before they even sit down.

I made these bacon twists for a backyard get-together, and let me tell you—people went nuts. It’s a twisted bacon recipe that’s equal parts fun to make and insanely satisfying to eat. Best part? It uses simple ingredients and spice and doesn’t take much cook time at all and will wow your guests every time.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

First off, the texture of these bacon twists are insane. That combo of twisted bacon and caramelized brown sugar mixture gives you crispy bacon twists with a candied crunch that are always an easy snack.

Second, you don’t need anything fancy to pull this off. Just a wire rack, a rimmed or lined baking sheet, some skewers, and your favorite kind of bacon. Note - I used pork bacon for this, if you want to try turkey bacon, or beef bacon - please feel free, let me know how it comes out with a comment at the bottom.

Most of all, it’s a delicious bacon recipe that’s perfect for any occasion—brunch, tailgates, Thanksgiving, or Christmas - or any holiday really, or just because you had a long week and need something to reward yourself. Don't underestimate these as delicious breakfast recipes as well.

Ingredients / Tools You’ll Need

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bacon (regular cut or thick cut bacon both work—more on that later)
• ¾ cup brown sugar (either light or dark is fine)
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Tools:

• Skewers (wood or metal)
• Large plate
• Wire cooling rack
• Rimmed baking sheet
• Small bowl for mixing
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil
• Paper towel for draining
• Hickory or Cherry wood for smoking
• Airtight container (for leftovers… if there are any)

Instructions

Preparation

Start by preheating your smoker or oven to 375 degrees F. If you’re using a smoker, hickory or cherry wood gives this twisted bacon recipe the perfect blend of smoky and sweet flavors.

While your setup preheats, soak your skewers in water for 20 minutes if you’re using wooden ones. That helps prevent them from burning during the cooking process.

In a small bowl, combine your brown sugar mixture with black pepper, paprika, and onion powder. This is where the magic starts to happen. Once it’s all mixed, grab a few bacon strips at a time and toss them in until each slice of bacon is well coated.

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Cooking

Now, take each coated slice of bacon and twist it tightly from end to end. This part gives bacon twists that signature look and texture.

Thread the bacon onto a skewer, weaving it into a spiral as shown. Set each one on a wire rack placed over a rimmed baking sheet, leaving a little space between each so they cook evenly.

Pop the whole setup into your smoker or oven. The cooking time for the bacon twists is about 15 to 20 minutes, but watch closely—you're looking for a deep amber color. The bacon candy should look glossy and dark, but not burnt. If some bacon slices get a little black on the ends, don’t panic. That’s expected and even adds to the flavor, or if you're not a fan, just disgard.

Once your bacon twists are done, pull them off the heat and remove them from the skewers while they’re still warm. If the sugar has hardened, just reheat them briefly to loosen them up.

Let the bacon twists rest on a large plate lined with paper towel for 10 to 15 minutes so they cool and crisp up fully. Then it’s go time.

Serving Suggestions

I usually serve these bacon twists as an appetizer or snack. They’re perfect on their own, but also awesome crumbled over a salad or brunch dish.

Next time you do a brunch spread, try pairing them with eggs, pancakes, or French toast. The sweet and savory combo of the bacon twists beautifully.

They also hold up really well as a party food. Just make a big batch, stick them in an airtight container, and bring them along. People will be hovering over the tray before you even set it down.

Recipe Notes & Pro Tips

If you're using thick-cut bacon, it might take a little more cooking time. Thin bacon, on the other hand, will cook faster but may not hold the twist as well. I’ve done both kinds and both are awesome—it really depends on what you find at the grocery store.

Want to kick up the heat a little? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the brown sugar mixture. It brings out those spicy flavors without being overwhelming the bacon twists.

Using parchment paper or aluminum foil under your baking rack will save you from dealing with excess grease cleanup. It also helps keep your sheet pan in good shape.

If you want to try something a little different next time, hit the bacon with a drizzle of maple syrup or hot honey after it’s done cooking. It adds another layer of sweetness and gives it more of that classic candied bacon recipe vibe.

Leftover bacon twists? I doubt you'll have any, but if you do, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. You can reheat them quickly in the air fryer for just a few minutes. They come out just as crispy.

You could even break them up and toss them into trail mix for a smoky-sweet punch. Or chop them up and use them on a baked potato. The possibilities are endless.

Variations and Extras

I’ve made these with both thick cut bacon and regular bacon. The kind of bacon you use will change the texture a little, but the flavor is always a win.

You can lay them flat instead of using skewers if you’re in a rush. Just twist them up and lay them directly on the baking rack with a little space between each one. They still crisp up great, but won't hold it's shape very well which will defeat the purpose.

Want to go more-candy on your candy bacon? Add a tiny splash of maple syrup to your brown sugar mixture before coating the bacon. It's still an easy recipe, just a little sweeter.