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Watch Me Make It!
If you’ve never had root beer candied bacon before, buckle up—this might just change the way you look at bacon forever. This recipe brings together the rich, smoky flavor of the bacon with a sticky, caramelized glaze made from one of my favorite childhood drinks.
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It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, and savory—all in one decadent treat that’ll make you want to eat the whole batch in a single day. This recipe is inspired by the hundreds of people that commented in my Dr. Pepper Candied Bacon and Coca Cola Candied Bacon recipes that you wanted to see this one!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This root beer candied bacon recipe uses a homemade glaze that starts with classic soda shop vibes thanks to the root beer. Each slice of bacon crisps up beautifully on a wire rack while the syrupy glaze transforms into candy on top of the rack. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for a holiday treat, brunch spread, or even tailgating with a bourbon pair.
Root Beer Candied Bacon Ingredients / Tools
- 1 lb thick cut bacon slices
- 1 cup root beer
- ½ cup brown sugar (light brown sugar, or dark)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, but highly recommended)
- Wire rack
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper
- Small bowl for glazing
Instructions
Preparation:
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Lay out the bacon strips on a wire rack in a single layer—make sure none of the pieces of bacon overlap. This step is key for getting that crispy, caramelized finish across every slice of bacon.
Cooking:
In a small pan over medium heat, combine root beer and brown sugar. Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes until it reduces into a thin syrup. Stir in the maple syrup, black pepper, and cayenne pepper once the root beer syrup coats the back of a spoon, or just mix it all in as it's cooking.
Using a brush or spoon, glaze each side of the bacon with the warm root beer mixture. Don’t skimp—make sure each piece is fully coated. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until the bacon is dark amber, but not burned. We want the root beer candied bacon to have a sweet, smokey flavor, not burnt!
Let the root beer candied bacon cool completely on the rack before serving. As it cools, the glaze will firm up and create that irresistible candy-like texture. It might be hard to wait, but trust me—the bacon cool time is worth it.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
I love serving root beer candied bacon alongside a root beer float for the ultimate nostalgic combo.
Or chop it up and sprinkle over ice cream, waffles, or even baked sweet potatoes.
It also pairs beautifully with a bourbon cocktail for a next-level brunch recipe or beer-candied bacon board.
Recipe Notes & Pro Tips
- Always use a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet for the best texture—this lets the bacon cook evenly and crisp up beautifully.
- Make sure your glaze has reduced enough into a thin syrup before brushing, or it won’t stick to the side of the bacon as well.
- And let the bacon strips cool completely before moving them—this is when the real magic happens.
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Variations
If you want a smoky kick, try using smoked maple syrup in the glaze for even more depth.
For a fiery version, double the cayenne pepper or add a pinch of chili powder to the small bowl of glaze.
Feeling adventurous? Try substituting part of the root beer with Dr Pepper or cola for a twist on the classic soda shop flavor.
You can also use this glaze on different cuts like pork belly or even turkey bacon if you’re feeling wild.
And if you’re making this for a crowd, double the recipe—but still bake in a single layer so the slices of bacon crisp up perfectly. Store any leftovers (if that ever happens) in an airtight container, but honestly, this stuff rarely lasts more than a single day.
Other Recipes You'll Love:
- BEST Fireball Whiskey Glazed Candied Bacon Recipe
- Dr. Pepper Candied Bacon Recipe – The Best Snack!
- Coca-Cola Candied Bacon – The Best Pork Candy Ever
- How to Make Candied Bacon Butter – Perfect Easy Recipe
- Churro Candied Bacon: The Ultimate Sweet & Savory Treat
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Ingredients
- 1 LB Bacon Thick Cut
- 1 C Root Beer
- ½ C Brown Sugar
- 1 TBSP Maple Syrup
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne optional, but recommended
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F
- Prepare bacon by removing from packaging, and place side-by-side on a wire rack. Make sure the bacon doesn't overlap at all. Set aside
- In a small pan over medium heat, combine the root beer and brown sugar - bring to a boil then lower heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. When done it'll be syrupy and will coat the back of a spoon. At this point, stir in maple syrup, black pepper and cayenne.
- Brush each strip of bacon with the root beer glaze so that the bacon is covered.
- Place bacon in oven for 15-20 minutes until a dark amber brown, but not charring at all. Remove from oven and let cool on the rack. It'll firm and crisp up at this time as the bacon cools and the sugars crystalize.
Cynthia Sloan says
Very interested !!!
Danny Dobrzenski says
You'll love it!
Diamond Jim says
But how did you get the bacon so flat and glazed perfectly? That's the real question.
Danny Dobrzenski says
I think it's 2 things - making sure the glaze is thick and taking the little bit of extra time to make sure it's brushed on evenly. They are a thing of beauty when all glazed up!
BB says
Do you brush the glaze on both sides?
Danny Dobrzenski says
I prefer to do it only on 1 side to make it easier to handle - still get a lot of flavor
Lori says
Can I use diet root beer? I have diabetics to feed.
Danny Dobrzenski says
I haven't tested that - honestly I'm not sure, my assumption is that it wouldn't caramelize the same way without the "real" sugar being there