Spicy Candied Bacon Recipe

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If you’re a fan of sweet and savory combinations, you’re going to love this recipe for spicy candied bacon. This delightful treat combines the crispy texture of bacon with a sweet and spicy glaze that’s perfect for snacking, breakfast, or adding a surprising twist to your favorite dishes. It’s a simple yet impressive recipe that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Slices of spicy candied bacon topped with jalapeño slices are arranged on a wire rack. The bacon is glazed and crispy.

This recipe is inspired by my good friend Tone from TFTI.BBQ. There’s a good chance you already follow him on social media - but if not, check out the inspiration video for this recipe on Instagram.

Spicy candied bacon is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Serve it as a stand-alone snack or appetizer at your next gathering - it’s sure to be a hit. It also makes a fantastic addition to breakfast or brunch, pairing wonderfully with eggs, pancakes, or waffles.

The brown sugar and maple syrup will melt and caramelize, creating a sticky, delicious coating on the bacon, while the spices add a kick that will tantalize your taste buds.

Obsessed with candied bacon? Me too. I have so many different variations for you to try, like this Lucky Charms Candied Bacon. Want to push your bacon skills to the limit? Try these Bacon Wrapped Oreos!

Why you’ve got to try this Easy Candied Bacon Recipe

So many flavors - sweet, spicy, and umami all in one
Basically spicy bacon candy - great for any bacon lover
Delicious on its own as a snack, added to waffles, stirred into candied bacon butter, and so much more
Uses simple ingredients you probably already have!
Cooked in the smoker for an extra blanket of smoky flavor

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A slab of raw bacon next to sliced green jalapeños on a wooden surface. A jar of brown sugar is in the background.

Ingredients

Thick-cut bacon - You'll get a heartier piece of bacon using thick cut bacon. It also holds up to all the toppings a little better.
Brown sugar - You get the best candied bacon using a mixture of both brown sugar and a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or hot honey.
Hot honey - For an extra kick of heat.
Fresh jalapeno peppers - These become candied in the sugar mixture while soaking up the bacon fat. So much spicy goodness.
Seasonings - I like to use a mixture of cayenne pepper, black pepper, and smoked paprika. The cayenne pepper is really hot, so adjust to your heat tolerance.

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How to Make Spicy Candied Bacon

Preheat smoker to 400F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. This setup allows the bacon to cook evenly and for the excess fat to drip away, ensuring your candied bacon becomes perfectly crispy.
In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well.
Lay the bacon slices out in a single layer on the wire rack. Using a brush or spoon, generously coat each slice of bacon with the spicy glaze, making sure to cover both sides. The glaze will caramelize as it cooks, creating that delicious candied effect.
Add a thin layer of hot honey on each slice of bacon.
Slice jalapenos and add 4-5 slices to each slice of bacon.
Place in smoker or oven for 20-25 minutes, or until bacon is an amber color, but not burnt.
Remove and rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Once your bacon is cooked to perfection, remove it from the smoker (or oven) and let it cool slightly on the wire rack. The glaze will harden as it cools, giving the bacon a lovely candied texture. Be patient - it’s worth the wait!

Strips of uncooked bacon are laid out on a metal rack. Each strip is generously sprinkled with a brown sugar and spice mixture. The rack is placed over a baking sheet.

A bottle of syrup is being poured over strips of bacon covered with brown sugar, placed on a wire rack. The rack sits on a wooden surface in preparation of smoked candied bacon.

Storing Suggestions

Store any leftover spicy candied bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. It's best to warm it either on a skillet or in the oven to help keep the bacon crispy.

Tips & Variations

For a fun twist, try crumbling the candied bacon over a fresh salad, adding it to a burger for an extra layer of flavor, or even using it as a topping for baked potatoes or mac and cheese. The possibilities are endless, and the combination of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors will enhance any dish.
Add to desserts. Dip pieces of the candied bacon in dark chocolate and sprinkle with sea salt. The contrast between the smoky, spicy bacon and the rich, slightly bitter chocolate is out of this world. Additionally, you can chop the candied bacon and incorporate it into cookie or brownie batter for a surprising and delightful twist.
Adjust the heat. Obviously, this recipe is intended to be spicy, which is why we add the cayenne pepper and jalapenos. If you want to mellow it out a bit, reduce the peppers (or remove them completely).

How to Serve

Just like regular candied bacon, there are so many ways to serve it! Add it to a charcuterie board with all your favorite cheeses and sliced meats. Offer it on its own as an appetizer or decadent treat for game days.

You can also crumble it over salads for a delightful crunch, fold it into waffle batter for Candied Bacon Waffles, or make a spicy version of my Candied Bacon Butter. Serve it with Bloody Marys for an over-the-top cocktail garnish. It's also great crumbled over French toast or pancakes, too!

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FAQs

Can you make spicy candied bacon in the oven?

Absolutely. You won't get the smoky flavor, but it still works well. For the best results, follow the instructions like normal but with an oven preheated to 400F. It's really important to place a wire rack over your sheet pan to let any excess fat drip off. Otherwise, one side of your bacon will turn out crispy and the other may be soggy.

Can you use regular bacon?

Yes, regular cut bacon works, too, but you don't get quite the same texture and flavor. There is quite a bit of glaze on the bacon slices, and it works best to use a thicker cut of meat.

How do you make candied bacon spicier?

If cayenne pepper and jalapenos isn't enough, try adding some sambal oolek, a fiery chili paste that works well in both sweet and savory dishes.

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