This Chipotle Candied Bacon recipe is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and slightly spicy flavors. With just three ingredients it’s incredibly easy to make.
What is Candied Bacon
Candied Bacon, also known as Pig Candy, is a delicious sweet and savory treat made from bacon that is most commonly coated with brown sugar and other seasonings. It is baked, grilled, or smoked until the bacon becomes crispy and the sugar caramelizes, resulting in a unique combination of flavors and textures.
Candied Bacon Ingredients
- Sliced bacon – Use thick or regular cut bacon but not thinly sliced bacon as it may burn before the sugar caramelizes.
- Light brown sugar – The sugar adds sweetness with hints of toffee, caramel, and molasses. Dark brown sugar will work in a pinch.
- Adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo) – Adds a tangy, slightly smoky taste with a subtle spicy kick (it’s not hot).
Find the complete ingredients list with amounts in the recipe card below!
How to Make Candied Bacon
It’s easy to do – just mix a bit of brown sugar with some of the adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers inside a large plastic bag, add bacon and “smoosh” (<—-real word) it around until all the bacon is coated. I used approximately equal parts of both, although you can adjust this depending if you prefer your bacon sweeter or spicier – I like it a little bit of both!
Place on a broiler pan or baking rack and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until the bacon is nice and crispy. No flipping or turning, just pop it in the oven until it’s done!
Twist the bacon prior to baking for a unique spiral presentation.
Candied Bacon Flavor Combinations
There are so many wonderful ways to flavor pig candy. Here are some flavor combinations to try next:
- Maple and brown sugar
- Brown sugar with cayenne pepper or chili powder
- Honey and sriracha
- Bourbon and maple syrup
- Cinnamon and vanilla
- Maple syrup and cinnamon
- Cayenne powder and lime juice
- Ground espresso and chocolate (cocoa powder)
- Orange zest and ground ginger
- Brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper
- Maple syrup and balsamic vinegar
- Apple bits and ground cinnamon
Try this carrot bacon with maple syrup recipe too!
How to Serve Candied Bacon
There are so many delicious ways to serve pig candy. Here are some of my favorites:
Enhance a breakfast or brunch by serving as a fancy bacon option.
Serve as a snack on its own. Arrange the slices on a platter, in a mason jar, or in a bowl, and they’re ready to be enjoyed.
Use as a topping on salads, sandwiches, burgers, or even as a garnish for desserts like ice cream or cupcakes.
Serve as an appetizer or on a charcuterie board by cutting the candied bacon into bite-sized pieces or on skewers or toothpicks.
Add as a garnish for a cocktail such as bloody mary or alongside a beer.
Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chives to add a little color to the presentation.
Storing & Reheating
Store in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container. To prevent the slices from sticking together, layer them between sheets of wax paper or parchment paper.
For reheating, there are a couple of options to choose from. A quick option is to warm it in the microwave for approximately 20 to 30 seconds at a medium heat. The best option is to preheat the oven to 350°F and warm the bacon for about five minutes.
Check out these easy hacks for cooking bacon on a grill and even cooking bacon on a grill with foil.
Chipotle Candied Bacon (Pig Candy)
This Chipotle Candied Bacon recipe is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and slightly spicy flavors. With just three ingredients it's incredibly easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 lb sliced bacon (preferably not thick-cut, unless you're not twisting it)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup adobo sauce (from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Put the brown sugar and adobo sauce in a large, resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and, using your hands, squeeze it until it's mixed well. Add the bacon and do the same thing until it's coated.
- If adding a twist: hold the ends of a piece of bacon with each hand and twist in opposite directions until it forms a spiral or "twist".
- Place on a broiler pan or on an oven-safe rack set over a sheet pan.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
Notes
The rack or broiler allows excess grease to escape resulting in a crispier texture but a pan works in a pinch. Simply, place each bacon strip in a baking pan with foil folded over the edges.
The thickness of bacon used may result in shorter or longer cooking times. Cook the bacon until it reaches a desired level of crispiness.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 296Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 992mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 19g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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