Candied bacon waffles are a sweet, savory treat ideal for your Sunday mornings or your next weekend brunch! All you need is your favorite waffle batter and some of my famous candied bacon, then mix and griddle to perfection. Top with maple syrup and dive in!
Few things in life are as satisfying as biting into a crispy, golden waffle infused with smoky, sweet bacon.
This is one of those recipes that's a little too easy, so you find yourself expecting all waffles to contain little morsels of smoky bacon every time. That's a good problem to have, I think!
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But if you can't get enough bacon, you're in the right place. We're bacon fiends around here and it's one of my favorite foods. I love to show off just how versatile this ingredient is. Try your leftover candied bacon in this sweet and savory Candied Bacon Butter or wrap it around Oreos for the most delicious Bacon-Wrapped Oreos. You can't go wrong!
Why you’ve got to try these Candied Bacon Waffles
- Can be made with your favorite boxed waffle mix or a from-scratch recipe
- Easy way to use up "leftover" candied bacon (if that's a thing)
- Over-the-top, out-of-control option for brunch or the holidays
- Perfect combination of sweet and savory flavors
Equipment
To make these Maple Bacon Waffles, you’ll need:
- Waffle iron: I used a Belgian waffle maker for deeper pockets to hold the maple syrup.
- Smoker: To cook the candied bacon.
- Wire rack
- Large bowl
- Whisk
Ingredients
- Waffle Batter: Use a homemade waffle recipe or your favorite waffle mix. I normally use mixes since they're convenient, but you can easily whisk together all purpose flour, baking powder, eggs, and more to make the best homemade waffles.
- Candied Bacon: Thick-cut bacon glazed with maple syrup, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Be sure to crumble to chop it into fine pieces.
- Vanilla extract: I like to add just a splash to amp up the sweetness and keep these waffles from tasting too savory.
- Cooking spray: To help keep the waffles from sticking to the iron.
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How to Make Bacon Waffles
Make Candied Bacon
I have lots of different candied bacon recipes out there, like this Dr. Pepper Candied Bacon or Fireball Whiskey Bacon. They all work for this!
- Preheat your oven or smoker to 350°F.
- Mix brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and water in a large bowl.
- Lay the bacon on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- Brush the glaze over the bacon and cook until caramelized and crispy.
Prepare the Waffle Batter
- In a large bowl, combine your dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Add a secret ingredient if desired, like a splash of real vanilla extract.
- Fold in crumbled bacon.
Cook the Bacon Waffles
- Preheat your waffle iron (electric waffle iron or cast iron) according to the manufacturer's directions.
- Pour the batter evenly into the waffle maker.
- Cook until the waffles are golden brown and crispy, with deep grooves and large squares.
Storing Suggestions
Once cooked, let the waffles cool to room temperature then store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat, either microwave briefly or bake in a 350 F oven or until heated through.
You can also freeze the cooked waffles by spreading them on a sheet pan, popping them in the freezer, then transferring the frozen waffles to a freezer bag. Store for up to 3 months and reheat from frozen (like the fanciest Eggos ever).
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Tips & Variations
- Don't overmix. For fluffy waffles, make sure not to overmix the batter.
- Make bacon cheddar waffles. For a savory waffle twist, add shredded cheddar cheese to the batter. You can also add chopped herbs, like green onions or parsley.
- Use the right waffle iron. A smaller waffle iron may not produce the deeper grids needed for the bacon pieces.
- Let 'em rest. Let the waffles sit for a minute after cooking to allow the fluffy texture to set.
- Use bacon fat. Brush melted bacon fat onto the hot waffle maker for extra bacon flavor.
How to Serve
There are a few different ways to take this recipe.
If you prefer savory waffles, try pairing them with over-easy eggs, hashbrowns, extra bacon, sauteed peppers, and your traditional breakfast favorites. It'd be amazing with a drizzle of hollandaise sauce over top!
For a sweet waffle, serve them with real maple syrup, whipped cream, and fresh fruits or berries.
FAQs
Can you use regular bacon?
Absolutely! You don't have to use candied bacon if you don't want to. This is a nice option if you prefer more savory flavors. Use your favorite regular bacon or even turkey bacon, bake until crispy, then crumble into small pieces. This is a nice way to use leftover cooked bacon, too.
Can you make bacon pancakes?
All waffle batter recipes can be used to make pancakes instead. Simply preheat your griddle and cook the pancake batter like normal. So simple!
Can you use pancake mix for waffles?
The nice thing is that most packages of pancake mix will tell you how to convert it for waffles. Be careful not to use regular pancake mix in the waffle maker as it likely will not cook properly and can get stuck in all those little grooves. Always make sure to modify the recipe for waffles as directed on the package.
Related Recipes
- Delicious and Easy Breakfast Pigs in a Blanket
- Ultimate Breakfast Sliders
- Stuffed Pancake Recipe on the Griddle
- Stuffed French Toast Recipe
- Western Omelet Bites
Candied Bacon Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 C Waffle Batter premixed
- ½ C Brown Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 lb Bacon thick cut
- 1 TBSP Water
- 3 tablespoon Maple Syrup real, not table syrup
Instructions
Make the Candied Bacon
- Preheat oven or smoker to 350F.
- In a mixing bowl, combine Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Maple Syrup & Water & mix well to combine.
- Lay bacon on wire rack closely but not touching, and brush the glaze from above over the top of the bacon liberally to fully coat.
- Place in oven or smoker on the wire rack sitting on top of a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Cook for 40-45 minutes, but start checking them at 30 minutes. The cooking time on this can vary significanly based on a number of factors. Bacon is done when it's a deep amber color but not burnt. You may get a slight char on the ends, this is normal.
- When done, remove from heat, and let cool on the counter for 10-15 minutes. This will help the bacon firm and crisp up as the sugars cool and caramelize.
Make the Waffle Batter
- Use a ready mix waffle mix, and cook to directions on the package. Add 2-3 tablespoon of chopped candied bacon in the waffle batter when cooking. Top with my Candied Bacon Butter and maple syrup if desired!
Nutrition
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Jack says
Amazing recipe! This is going on the list.
Danny Dobrzenski says
Thanks! Perfect breakfast treat! Enjoy
Abby Fisher says
I need to make these for the family!
Danny Dobrzenski says
They'll love them