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Appetizers

Candied Prosciutto Recipe – How to make the Perfect Snack

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If you’re here for the ultimate prosciutto recipe, you’re in for a treat. This candied prosciutto recipe is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and savory, all wrapped up in one crispy bite. It’s ridiculously easy to make, loaded with unique flavor and works for everything—whether you need a party snack, a salad topper, or a way to elevate your charcuterie board. Warning: once you try this, you’ll want crispy prosciutto recipe in everything!

For the Prosciutto Recipe A package of prosciutto is placed on a wooden countertop alongside a small green bowl of brown sugar and two clear small bowls containing spices.

Let’s Prep this Prosciutto Recipe

First things first for this prosciutto recipe—let’s gather the essentials. For this recipe, you’ll need:

– 6 ounces of paper-thin Prosciutto
– Brown sugar
– Cinnamon
– Ground nutmeg
– Olive oil
– A pinch of black pepper for that finishing touch
These simple ingredients pack a punch, creating a snack that perfectly balances sweetness with salty, savory goodness.

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A white bowl on a wooden surface containing brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg, ready for mixing.


When picking your prosciutto, look for slices so thin they practically melt in your hands. This delicately cured Italian ham is made from the pig’s hind leg, setting it apart from other pork products like pancetta or Canadian bacon. Where pancetta (often rolled and smoked) is all about the fatty richness, prosciutto’s charm lies in its silky texture and nuanced flavor from months of aging.

A package of thinly sliced cured ham lies on a wooden surface. The ham is vacuum-sealed in clear plastic, showcasing the marbled pink and white slices.



To get started on this prosciutto recipe, mix your brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. This sweet-and-spicy blend will coat your prosciutto to perfection, caramelizing into crispy goodness. Feeling adventurous? Toss in a little crushed fennel seed or a dash of smoked paprika for a unique twist if you’d like.

Smoking vs. Baking: Your Call

Four slices of thinly cut cured meat are arranged on a sheet of parchment paper. The meat has a marbled appearance with a mix of pink and white hues, showcasing its delicate texture.

If you’ve got a smoker, now’s the time to fire it up! Set it to 300°F and let it preheat. No smoker? No problem. A trusty oven will work just fine, although the smoker gives you that incredible depth of flavor you just can’t fake.

Sliced meat laid out on parchment paper, each slice topped with a generous layer of brown sugar, ready for baking or curing. The background features a wooden surface.


Lay your prosciutto slices flat on a sheet of parchment paper. Brush each slice lightly with olive oil—this acts as a binder to hold the sugar mixture. Generously sprinkle your sugar-spice mix over the top, making sure every bit of this prosciutto recipe is covered. No room for slacking here—nobody likes “bald spots”!

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If you’re smoking, place the slices directly on the grates. If you’re baking, line them up on a parchment-lined sheet pan. Let the prosciutto cook for 25–30 minutes, keeping an eye on it as the sugar melts and the fat renders. This is where the magic happens—when the edges crisp up and the sugar transforms into a golden glaze.

Four strips of vegan bacon are on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, inside an oven. The bacon appears crispy, with a reddish-brown color, and is partway through the cooking process.

The Finishing Touch

Once this prosciutto recipe is perfectly crispy, transfer it to a cooling rack. Sprinkle with a touch of black pepper while it’s still warm for a subtle kick. Let the slices cool for about 15–20 minutes. As they cool, the sugar hardens, giving you that signature crunch.

If you’re feeling fancy, go ahead and garnish them! Crushed dried fruit, a drizzle of honey, or even a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can take these over the top.

Time to Dig In

Here’s the fun part—eating your masterpiece! This candied prosciutto recipe is pure versatility. Serve them solo as a snack, or get creative and use them as a topping. Add them to pasta dishes, sprinkle them on salads, or let them steal the show on your next charcuterie board.

Want to take it up a notch? Use this candied prosciutto recipe to dress up roasted Brussels sprouts, layer it on a crostini with goat cheese, or crumble it over a creamy butternut squash soup. For a simple-yet-elegant appetizer, wrap them around asparagus spears or pair them with melon slices for that classic salty-sweet combo.

Three crispy strips of candied bacon are placed on a metal cooling rack, with a textured wooden background behind them. The bacon is coated with a sugar glaze, adding a shiny finish.

Why This Recipe Works

The genius of this prosciutto recipe is in its simplicity. A handful of ingredients transforms thin slices of prosciutto into a snack that’s crispy, caramelized, and packed with bold flavor. It’s a little sweet, a little salty, and just smoky enough to keep you coming back for more.

Plus, candied prosciutto offers a unique twist on traditional pork snacks. While Canadian bacon or pancetta might work in a pinch, they don’t deliver the same crisp and delicate texture that makes prosciutto so special.

A plate of seasoned grilled meat slices on a blue and white chevron-patterned plate, placed on a wooden table. The meat is richly colored with visible spices.



And let’s not forget the versatility factor. From elevating simple salads to starring on party platters, this recipe is your secret weapon for adding that wow factor to any dish.

Final Thoughts

This candied prosciutto recipe is a game-changer. Whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself, it’s guaranteed to hit the spot. The combination of caramelized sweetness, crispy texture, and that signature prosciutto flavor is seriously addictive.

Give this recipe a try, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to for snacking, entertaining, or just jazzing up your favorite dishes. One bite, and you’ll see why crispy prosciutto is in a league of its own!

Other recipes you’ll love:

Close-up of a crispy, seasoned slice of pepperoni on a wooden surface. A plate with additional pepperoni slices is blurred in the background, emphasizing the texture and spices on the main slice.

Candied Proscuitto

Delicious on so many levels!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 142kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 oz Prosciutto finely sliced
  • 1/2 C Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • Olive Oil for binder
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat smoker to 300F
  • In a bowl, add brown sugar, cinnamon, ground nutmeg and mix together well to combine
  • Lay down slices of prosciutto on parchment paper and sprinkle and even layer of the brown sugar mixture on top. Make sure to not leave any "bald spots" on the meat.
  • Place in smoker and cook XX 10 minutes
  • Remove and transfer to a cooling rack, sprinkle black pepper on top to garnish
  • Allow to sit and rest for 15-20 minutes to cool down and to allow the caramelized sugars to harden.
  • Serve as a finger food snack, or over a salad, on a charcuterie board or anywhere you want a sweet, salty and savory combination!

Nutrition

Calories: 142kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 435mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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