Name: Lucky Charms Candied Bacon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 LB Bacon (thick cut); 3/4 C Maple Syrup; 1 tsp Cinnamon; 1 tsp Vanilla extract; 1/3 C Cereal (crushed); 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Watch Me Make It

I decided to experiment in my kitchen with Lucky Charms Candied Bacon. I was honestly expecting this to just turn into a mess, and an "I made it so you don't have to" sort of thing, however I was pleasantly surprised.

A box of Lucky Charms cereal, a package of bacon, a small cup of cinnamon, a green bowl of syrup, and a small cup of dark liquid are placed together on a wooden surface. Ingredients to make lucky charms candied bacon

I was instantly drawn to the idea because the name alone—Lucky Charms Candied Bacon—sparked memories of childhood treats mixed with grown-up flavors. My excitement grew as I envisioned the unique twist this dish would bring.

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A bowl of cereal with colorful marshmallows and milk, sitting on a wooden surface. A silver spoon is in the bowl. In the background are scattered piles of multi-colored marshmallows and cereal pieces.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it combines sweet, crunchy cereal with savory bacon in a way that only Lucky Charms Candied Bacon can deliver. I remember the first time I made this dish using Lucky Charms and thick-cut bacon, and I couldn’t wait to share it with fellow bacon lovers. Every bite of my Lucky Charms Candied Bacon is a delicious adventure that brings a kick of heat and a nostalgic smile.

A wooden rolling pin is placed on top of a clear plastic bag filled with crushed graham crackers. The setup is on a textured wooden surface.

Ingredients / Tools You’ll Need

I started with 1 LB bacon thick cut and used ¾ C maple syrup to make a sticky glaze. I mixed in 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and ⅓ C cereal crushed in a small bowl. I also gathered my tools: a wire rack, a baking sheet, a sheet pan, and a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil for easy clean-up.

A white bowl contains a mixture of liquids and spices, including olive oil, soy sauce, paprika, and black pepper, on a wooden surface.

I chose thick-cut bacon because I believe regular bacon just doesn’t hold the glaze as well. I laid out the bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack, ensuring that each piece of bacon was spaced out perfectly. I even used an airtight container to store any leftover glaze for my next gathering of bacon lovers.

Strips of bacon are laid out on a metal rack. A hand uses a red silicone brush to apply a brown sauce onto the bacon. The rack is placed on a baking sheet, ready for cooking.

Instructions for Lucky Charms Candied Bacon

I preheated my oven to 350°F, preparing my baking sheet and sheet pan with aluminum foil for a mess-free experience. I placed the bacon in a single layer on a wire rack and brushed each bacon slice with my maple syrup glaze mixed in a small bowl. I sprinkled a bit of black pepper and red pepper flakes along with a light dusting of crushed Lucky Charms to give my Lucky Charms Candied Bacon an extra kick of heat.

Slices of bacon covered in seasoning and crushed nuts are placed on a wire rack over a baking tray, ready to be cooked.

Click Here to Print this Lucky Charms Candied Bacon Recipe and save for later

After baking for about 30-35 minutes, I noticed the bacon cooks perfectly without burning. I then arranged 6-7 marshmallows on each piece of bacon, a trick I learned the first time I tried this recipe to ensure the marshmallows stick without overdoing the cooking time. I popped the tray back into the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, just long enough for the marshmallows to melt and become a tasty treat without turning into candy bacon.

Strips of bacon covered in a reddish seasoning with sesame seeds lie on a wire rack, set over a baking tray in an oven. The bacon is evenly spaced and appears to be in the process of baking.

Serving Suggestions

I serve my Lucky Charms Candied Bacon as a side dish at brunch or as a decadent snack when I’m craving something sweet and savory. I like to pair it with a refreshing salad or even enjoy it on its own while watching the smell of bacon fill the kitchen. Every strip of bacon becomes a crispy bacon masterpiece that leaves a lingering kick of heat.

Two strips of bacon on a wire rack, topped with colorful marshmallow cereal pieces in various shapes, including stars and clovers. The bacon appears caramelized on a metal baking sheet.

Recipe Notes & Pro Tips

I always use a small bowl to mix the maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle spicy maple flavor. I recommend using thick-cut bacon over regular bacon because it holds up better on the wire rack and doesn’t release excess fat. One of my favorite ways to ensure even cooking is by setting up a single layer on the baking rack and checking the cooking time carefully.

Two chocolate-covered strips topped with colorful cereal pieces are shown on a wooden surface. A purple plate with more strips is in the background, alongside a few cereal pieces scattered around.

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