Smoked Candied Bacon

If you only ever smoke one thing, make Smoked Candied Bacon. This pork candy is off-the-charts delicious! Sweet, salty, spicy – it has it all, and it’s crazy easy to make! Grab some bacon and spices, and treat everyone today!

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When you’re craving insanely good flavor from a dish that’s crazy easy, check out Smoked Candied Bacon. This sweet and spicy bacon is one of the best things on the planet. Everyone loves candied bacon, but when you add a kiss of smoke, you amp up the flavor and transform it into pure bliss.

And all you need are a handful of ingredients! Maple syrup and brown sugar lend sweetness, and I like it with a bit of spice, too; smoky chipotle powder does the trick.

This is such an easy recipe it really should be on everyone’s radar. I’ve done it in the oven, too, but I prefer the added smoke that comes from popping this lacquered bacon onto my Traeger.

Smoked Candied Bacon Starts With Great Bacon

You know that package of thick-cut, low-sodium fancy schmancy bacon you’re saving in your freezer? Now’s the time to defrost it. This Smoked Candied Bacon works best with great quality bacon, preferably homemade smoked bacon!

Ingredients

• Bacon – Thick cut or regular cut but do NOT use thin cut bacon.
• Brown sugar – I use golden brown sugar.
• Maple syrup – Use the real thing!
• Chipotle powder – Adds smoky heat. Use less if you’re sensitive to spice.

How To Make The Best Smoked Candied Bacon

Scroll down for the full recipe card with exact measurements and printable instructions.

Start by preheating your Traeger pellet grill or another smoker to 225°F. Fruit woods like apple or cherry work especially well for candied bacon because they complement the sweet glaze.

Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. The rack allows the smoke to circulate around the bacon while the baking sheet catches any drips, making cleanup much easier.

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, and chipotle powder until the mixture is smooth and well blended.

Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, spread the maple mixture evenly over the top side of each bacon strip.

Place the rack of bacon into the smoker and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the glaze has caramelized into a slightly sticky coating.

Keep an eye on the bacon during the final few minutes of cooking because the sugars in the glaze can darken quickly.

Remove the bacon from the smoker and let it cool for a few minutes. The glaze will continue to set as the bacon cools.

Serve warm and enjoy.

Why Smoke The Bacon on a Rack?

You CAN smoke the bacon right on the grill inside your smoker, but the dripping grease and sugar make a nasty combination that’s perfect for smoking (the unwanted kind of smoke) and burning. You don’t want a fire in your pellet smoker, trust me. Keeping the bacon on a rack over a baking sheet (or even a sheet of foil with crimped edges) will catch any dripping fat and sugar and make cleanup a breeze.

Chef Jenn’s Tips

• Use good quality bacon. Now’s not the time to go cheap. When bacon is the star of the dish, use the good stuff!
• Chipotle powder can be spicy. As written, this recipe is somewhere between mild and medium spice. The age of the chipotle powder can affect the spiciness – it gets less spicy over time.
• For extra sweet and extra spicy bacon, brush the other side, too, flipping the bacon halfway through the smoking time.

Make It A Meal

Smoked Candied Bacon can be an appetizer, side dish, or even dessert! I like it with a good brunch casserole, or a hearty meal of smoked meat like chicken thighs. Or, pair your pork candy with other appetizers like beef wellington bites, baked brie, or crab spanakopita. Don’t forget to add candied bacon to an awesome smoked pork board!