Candied honey bacon is a unique twist on a classic appetizer. By coating thick-cut smoked bacon in a sweet and sticky honey glaze, this recipe takes bacon to the next level. With its irresistible balance of savory, salty, sweet, and smoky flavors, this bacon is perfect for any gathering or party. The candied coating on the crispy bacon makes for a fun finger food that brings people back for more. This recipe artfully combines honey, brown sugar, and spices to make bacon into a candy-like confection. From game day snacks to Christmas morning brunch, candied honey bacon is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients For Candied Honey Bacon
Candied honey bacon requires just a few essential ingredients to make the magic happen:
- Thick-cut smoked bacon
- Honey
- Light or dark brown sugar
- Ground black pepper
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
You can also customize the flavors by adding any of these optional ingredients:
- Maple syrup
- Bourbon
- Chili powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Granulated garlic
Essential Ingredients
| Ingredient | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Thick-cut smoked bacon | The bacon provides the base salty, savory, and smoky flavors. Go for a quality, thick-cut bacon to hold up to the candying process. |
| Honey | The honey adds both sweetness and a lovely sticky glaze to coat the bacon. Use your favorite variety like wildflower, orange blossom, or clover. |
| Light or dark brown sugar | Brown sugar balances out the honey’s sweetness with subtle molasses notes. It also helps the coating set up nicely. |
| Ground black pepper | Freshly cracked black pepper gives a punch of heat and spice. |
| Cayenne pepper (optional) | A touch of cayenne amplifies the warmth from the black pepper. Add to taste. |
Optional Ingredients
| Ingredient | Flavor Notes |
|---|---|
| Maple syrup | Adds rich maple flavor |
| Bourbon | Brings a boozy, vanilla oak taste |
| Chili powder | Provides an earthy, Southwest spice |
| Crushed red pepper flakes | Brings another dimension of heat |
| Granulated garlic | Gives a punch of garlic and onion flavor |
You can stick to the basic ingredients for classic candied bacon, or pick and choose from the options to put your own spin on it. The possibilities are endless!
Instructions For Candied Honey Bacon
Making candied honey bacon is actually quite simple and straightforward. Follow these steps for perfectly cooked bacon with a sweet, spicy coating:
Step 1: Prepare the Bacon
- Arrange thick-cut bacon slices in a single layer on a foil or parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure the slices aren’t overlapping.
- Tip: Use a rimmed baking sheet with raised edges to catch any drips while cooking.
Step 2: Make the Honey Glaze
- In a small bowl, combine the honey, brown sugar, black pepper, and any other flavor additions like maple syrup or chili powder.
- Whisk thoroughly until well blended. The glaze should be pourable but thick enough to coat the bacon.
Step 3. Brush on the Glaze
- Use a basting brush to coat each slice of bacon with the honey glaze mixture. Really work the glaze into the meat so it’s completely covered.
- Tip: If your glaze seems too thick, thin it with a teaspoon or two of water so it brushes on evenly.
Step 4. Bake the Bacon
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 18-24 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip each slice and brush again with glaze.
- Cook until the bacon reaches your desired level of doneness. The longer it bakes, the crisper it will get.
- Tip: If it’s not getting crispy enough, turn the oven to broil for 1-2 minutes to finish.
Step 5: Cool, Cut, and Serve
- Allow the bacon to cool for at least 5 minutes before handling. This helps it firm up.
- Cut each slice into thirds or quarters. Arrange artfully on a platter.
- Serve the candied honey bacon warm or at room temperature.
If your bacon comes out underdone or not quite crispy enough, simply pop it back in the oven on broil for a couple minutes until the desired texture is reached. The leftover honey glaze can be reheated and used to coat a second batch.
Serving Suggestions For Candied Honey Bacon
Candied honey bacon is extremely versatile. Here are some ideas for how to serve it:
- As an appetizer or snack, arrange strips of the bacon on a platter with toothpicks. Let guests pick up and nibble.
- Chop bacon into bits and sprinkle over salads or baked potatoes as a garnish.
- Crumble candied bacon into muffin or waffle batter before baking. The bacon adds a wonderful crunch and saltiness.
- Make maple candied bacon and serve over pancakes or waffles in place of regular breakfast bacon.
- Wrap candied bacon strips around cheese-stuffed dates for an easy party hors d’oeuvre. The sweet and salty combo is amazing.
- Chop up candied bacon and fold into cornbread batter before baking for a sweet and savory cornbread.
The possibilities are endless! Candied honey bacon can add its magical sweet and salty flavor boost to everything from breakfast dishes to party platters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe for a large group of people?
Yes! This recipe is easy to double, triple, or quadruple for a crowd. Simply adjust the amount of bacon and glaze ingredients as needed. Bake multiple pans at a time, ensuring even cooking by rotating pans.
What kind of honey works best?
Any liquid honey variety will do the trick. Go for a mild, versatile honey like wildflower, orange blossom, or clover. Avoid very dark honeys as they can overpower.
What are good side dishes?
Candied bacon pairs well with any rich or starchy sides to balance the sweetness. Options include:
- Baked beans
- Mac and cheese
- Scalloped potatoes
- Cornbread
- Biscuits
- Pasta salad
How does this differ from regular candied bacon?
Traditional candied bacon relies solely on brown sugar for sweetness. This recipe adds honey for extra flavor dimension. The honey glazes evenly and promotes crisping.
Conclusion: Candied Honey Bacon
With its tantalizing balance of sweet and savory flavors, candied honey bacon is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Making it is simple with just a few ingredients and easy oven baking method. Feel free to customize the glaze or use this bacon in creative dishes. The key takeaways are evenly coating with a honey glaze, baking until crispy, and serving warm or room temp. Now go wow your family and friends with this crowdpleasing candied bacon.
Candied Honey Bacon
Notes
· Thin-cut bacon: If using thin-cut bacon, reduce the initial baking time to 10 minutes before flipping and brushing with honey. Then, bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until desired crispness is reached. Keep a close eye on the bacon to prevent burning.
· Storage: Candied bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat until warmed through.
· Serving suggestions: Enjoy candied bacon on its own as a snack, crumbled over salads, or incorporated into sandwiches, wraps, and breakfast dishes.
Ingredients
- • 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- • 1/3 cup honey
- • 1/2 cup brown sugar
- • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Arrange the bacon slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. If using thin-cut bacon, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly (see recipe notes).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, brown sugar, and black pepper. Optionally, add cayenne pepper for a spicy twist.
- Once the oven is preheated, bake the bacon for 15 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully flip each bacon slice. Brush generously with the honey mixture on both sides.
- Return the bacon to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the candied bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Candied Honey Bacon
Serves: 4 persons
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 220 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 12 | 18.5% | |
| Saturated Fat 4 | 20% | |
| Trans Fat 0 | ||
| Cholesterol 35mg | 11.7% | |
| Sodium 550mg | 22.9% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 15 | 5% | |
| Dietary Fiber 1 | 4% | |
| Sugars 12 | ||
| Protein 10 | ||
| Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
| Calcium 0 | Iron 0 | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cheen Huaye
Executive Chef Marco Velasquez brings his unique, elevated Mexican cuisine to Cheen Huaye. A native of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Marco honed his skills in some of South Florida’s finest restaurants before opening his own restaurant.
At Cheen Huaye, you’ll experience authentic Yucatecan dishes made from fresh ingredients, to order. Our food has been praised by publications like the Miami New Times and continues to receive rave reviews from diners all over. So if you’re looking for a different take on Mexican food – one that’s still familiar yet exciting – come visit us at Cheen Huaye!