By Laurel Perry
Published Oct 29, 2025
There’s nothing better than a sweet and salty combo. Add a thick slice of bacon to that, and I cannot resist. Candied bacon is truly irresistible and my secret weapon to impress at brunch all year round. This oven-baked version uses just 4 ingredients for the perfect balance of sticky, sweet, and crisp. It’s a no-mess recipe that’s an easy way to elevate your bacon game. Try it, and thank me later!
I had thick maple bacon at a restaurant a few months ago and was hooked. I immediately went home, added it to my list of recipes to develop, and I’m so happy to share it. I made this with maple syrup, brown sugar, cracked black pepper, and thick-cut bacon in the oven for an easy clean-up. It’s one of those treats that disappears fast, whether I’m serving it with eggs or just sneaking strips off the tray. If you’ve never tried candied bacon, you’re in for a dangerously delicious surprise.
Tips for Beginners
- It will crisps as it cools. If the bacon is too chewy, let it bake a little longer. Aim for the 30-minute mark, then allow it to cool fully on the rack. The cooling time helps it crisp up even more.
- Use foil. Line your sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup and use a wire rack to keep the bacon elevated so it cooks evenly and doesn’t sit in the glaze. Give the rack a generous coat of nonstick spray before adding the bacon to prevent too much sticking.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 lb. thick-cut bacon
- ▢ 2½ tbsp packed brown sugar
- ▢ 2 tbsp maple syrup
- ▢ 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and place a cooling rack on top. Prep the rack with a bit of nonstick spray.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on top of the rack. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip the bacon over and cook for 5 minutes. 1 lb. thick-cut bacon
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, maple, and black pepper. 2½ tbsp packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- Spoon the sugar mixture evenly over the bacon, only on one side.
- Bake for another 20-30 minutes or until the bacon is crisp to your liking.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment
- 1 sheet pan
- 1 cooling rack
Becky’s Tips
- If you’re short on time, skip the glaze and just sprinkle brown sugar and pepper directly onto the bacon before baking.
- Rotate the pan halfway through the final bake for a more even cook.
- If you have thinner bacon, reduce the baking time slightly and watch closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Candied Bacon Step by Step
Gather the ingredients: Gather all the ingredients together and preheat your oven to 375°F.
Prep the pan: Line a sheet pan with foil and place a cooling rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
Cook the bacon : Arrange 1 lb. of thick-cut bacon in a single layer on the rack. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip each slice and bake for another 5 minutes.
Make the glaze: In a small bowl, mix together 2½ tbsp of packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp of maple syrup, and 1 tsp of coarsely ground black pepper.
Glaze the bacon: Spoon the maple-sugar mixture evenly over the top of each bacon slice (just one side).
Finish baking : Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the bacon is caramelized and crisp to your liking.
Cool and serve: Let the candied bacon cool on the rack for 5 minutes before serving. The bacon will firm up as it cools. Enjoy!
Flavor Variations to Try
- Sweet & Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne, smoked chipotle powder, or chili flakes to the brown sugar, or try my sweet & spicy candied bacon .
- Smoky Maple: Use smoked paprika instead of black pepper for a smoky-sweet twist.
- Peppery Heat: Swap in crushed red pepper flakes for extra bite.
- Bourbon Glaze: Stir 1 tsp of bourbon into the glaze for depth and warmth, or try my candied whiskey bacon .
- Cinnamon Sugar: Add a pinch of ground cinnamon for a cozy, fall-inspired version.
How to Store and Reheat
If you’re lucky to have any leftovers or you’re making this ahead of time, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you’re stacking pieces, layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
When you’re ready to reheat, pop the strips in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes until warm and crisp. Avoid microwaving because candied bacon tends to turn rubbery.
For longer storage, lay the bacon strips on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 1 month.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving candied bacon with a big weekend brunch. When the tablescape has scrambled eggs , buttermilk pancakes , and fresh fruit, served with candied bacon, it’s a hit. It’s also a fun addition to charcuterie boards or as a garnish for a bloody Mary . You can even crumble it over salads, baked sweet potatoes, or deviled eggs for a sweet-savory twist.
More Bacon-Lover Brunch Recipes
Bacon Pancakes
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple with Brown Sugar
Air Fryer Bacon
Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Candied Bacon
Equipment
- 1 sheet pan
- 1 cooling rack
Ingredients
- 1 lb. thick-cut bacon
- 2½ tbsp packed brown sugar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and place a cooling rack on top. Prep the rack with a bit of nonstick spray.
- Arrange the bacon in a single layer on top of the rack. Bake for 10 minutes. Flip the bacon over and cook for 5 minutes. 1 lb. thick-cut bacon
- In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, maple, and black pepper. 2½ tbsp packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
- Spoon the sugar mixture evenly over the bacon, only on one side.
- Bake for another 20-30 minutes or until the bacon is crisp to your liking.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- If you’re short on time, skip the glaze and just sprinkle brown sugar and pepper directly onto the bacon before baking.
- Rotate the pan halfway through the final bake for a more even cook.
- If you have thinner bacon, reduce the baking time slightly and watch closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
