Best Sweet Tea Candied Bacon Recipe (with Video)

Watch Me Make It

If you’ve never had sweet tea candied bacon before, you’re in for a real treat. This recipe brings together thick-cut bacon, sweet Red Diamond tea, and just the right touch of spice for something that feels like pure Southern comfort (the feeling, not the drink - that'd be weird). It’s the kind of snack that disappears almost instantly whenever I set it out.

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I’ve made all kinds of candied bacon recipes in the past, but nothing hits quite like sweet tea candied bacon. The tea gives the glaze a mellow sweetness that balances the salty, smoky bacon perfectly. Every bite has that irresistible mix of chewy edges and crisp caramelization.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The first reason is simple - bacon. When you take a food everyone already loves and coat it in a sticky, flavorful glaze, it only gets better. Sweet tea candied bacon has a depth of flavor you don’t get with plain sugar or maple syrup.

The second reason is how easy it is to pull off. You don’t need any fancy equipment, just a saucepan, a wire rack, and your oven. Even if you’ve never made candied bacon before, this recipe is straightforward and foolproof.

Finally, it’s versatile. Sweet tea candied bacon can be a snack, a garnish, or even part of breakfast. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again because it fits almost any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make sweet tea candied bacon, you only need a handful of simple ingredients. Thick-cut bacon is best because it holds up to the glaze without getting soggy. Red Diamond Sweet Tea is the star that gives the recipe its unique flavor.

You’ll also use brown sugar, honey, and a little molasses to deepen the caramel notes. Black pepper gives balance, and a pinch of cayenne adds subtle heat. These ingredients come together to create a glaze that’s bold without being overpowering.

How To Prepare The Glaze

The glaze is what makes sweet tea candied bacon shine. Start by pouring a cup of Sweet Tea into a saucepan and simmering it over medium heat. You want to reduce it by half until it’s syrupy, which usually takes around 8 to 10 minutes.

Once the tea has thickened, stir in the brown sugar, honey, and molasses. This combination gives the glaze its sticky texture and rich flavor. Add black pepper and cayenne if you want a little bite in the background.

By the time it’s done, you’ll have a thick, shiny glaze that clings perfectly to the bacon. Resist the urge to taste too much at this stage - save that for when the bacon is ready.

Cooking Sweet Tea Candied Bacon

Line a baking sheet with foil to catch any drips and place a wire rack on top. The wire rack is important because it keeps the bacon elevated so the heat circulates and the strips cook evenly. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer without overlapping.

Brush each slice generously with the sweet tea glaze before sliding the tray into a 350F oven. Let the bacon cook for 20 to 25 minutes and check to make sure there's no burning. Check back every 3-5 minutes for doneness. Make sure to remove the bacon when it's a deep amber color, but not brown or becoming char.

Let the slices cool on the rack for a few minutes so the glaze sets. What you’ll have is sweet tea candied bacon that’s crisp on the outside and chewy in the middle.

Serving Suggestions

There are endless ways to enjoy sweet tea candied bacon. I love serving it as a party appetizer - just stack the strips on a platter and watch them vanish. It also makes a great brunch side dish alongside eggs, biscuits, or pancakes.

For something more creative, chop the bacon into small pieces and sprinkle it over ice cream or a milkshake. That sweet-salty combo is unbeatable. You can also crumble it into a salad or use it as a burger topping for extra crunch and flavor.

Tips And Variations

If you like a spicier kick, add extra cayenne or even a dash of hot sauce to the glaze. For a smokier flavor, try cooking the bacon on your smoker instead of in the oven. A little applewood or hickory smoke pairs beautifully with the sweet tea glaze.

Another fun variation is to swap the honey for maple syrup. It changes the flavor slightly but still gives you that candied bacon experience. Just don’t skip the sweet tea - it’s what makes this recipe different from any other candied bacon out there.

Storage And Reheating

Sweet tea candied bacon is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored if you have leftovers. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To keep it from sticking together, place parchment paper between the layers.

When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat the bacon in the oven at 300F for about 5 minutes. This helps it crisp back up without burning the glaze. Avoid microwaving it if you can - it tends to make the bacon chewy instead of crisp.

Pro Tips For The Best Results

Always use thick-cut bacon, since thinner slices will crisp too fast and won’t hold the glaze well. Keep an eye on the oven because candied bacon can go from perfect to burnt in a matter of minutes. It’s better to pull it early and check than to lose a whole batch.

If you want perfectly even coating, glaze the bacon both before and during cooking. The repeated layering creates that beautiful sticky shine. And if you’re serving sweet tea candied bacon at a party, make double the amount you think you’ll need - people always grab more than one strip.

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