Black Pepper Candied Bacon Recipe (How to Make Bacon Candy)

Candied Bacon is a super easy treat to make this holiday season for friends and family. Maybe even for Santa! Spicy black pepper pairs perfectly with salty, savory bacon and sweet, golden brown sugar.

Click HERE to save this recipe for Candied Bacon!

This recipe for Candied Bacon was written in partnership with Farmland Bacon. I have been compensated for my time, but all opinions are my own.

Creating this Candied Bacon Recipe

This time of year I am always struck with the feeling of wanting to give something back. I get a little frustrated because I don’t always know how to get involved in my community.

I’m always happy to help a friend in need, but sometimes I want to do more. Something a little more than just doing what I consider being a good human being.

I’d like to make a difference for someone who doesn’t get to enjoy so many of the luxuries that my kids and I do. There are a lot of people who are not feeling the creature comforts of life the way I do.

Families who at the end of the year aren’t feeling great about making it through another year. Parents who maybe can’t afford Christmas presents for their kids or the groceries to put a really nice holiday meal on the table.

Making Candied Bacon

And that’s why I’ve partnered with Farmland to spread the word about their Bacon for Santa campaign that supports the Food Bank of the Rockies, a local Denver food bank.

They’ve teamed up with former Denver Bronco and current ESPN sportscaster Mark Schlereth to let you know that while milk and cookies are great, what Santa really wants this year is bacon!

Why Bacon? And how does that help fight hunger in the Denver area this holiday season?

Farmland wants to donate one pound of protein to Food Bank of the Rockies, up to 25,000 pounds total, for every person that pledges to leave bacon for Santa this Christmas Eve.

It isn’t a lot, but every share adds up and eventually, together, we can all make a pretty big impact.

Click HERE to save this recipe for Black Pepper Candied Bacon!

Tools Needed to Make Candied Bacon

I recommend having the following kitchen tools on hand before you get started making this recipe:

• Oven-Safe Wire Rack – you’ll place this on top of the baking sheet and cook the candied bacon on it.
• Rimmed Baking Sheet – for catching any drippings as the candied bacon cooks
• Aluminum Foil and/or Parchment Paper – lining your sheet pan makes for easier cleanup! I like to line with a double layer: foil and parchment paper.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons – to measure the ingredients to make the candied bacon.
• Small Bowl – to combine the brown sugar mixture.
• Whisk – to stir the brown sugar mixture
• Pastry Brush – to brush the brown sugar mixture on to the bacon strips.

What is Candied Bacon?

Candied bacon, aka pig candy, is essentially crispy bacon that’s been coated with a sugar or caramel glaze.

You’ll sometimes see candied bacon made with pecans as well, or dipped in chocolate. It’s a popular fair food, but I prefer making it homemade!

Candied Bacon Ingredients

To make this candied pepper bacon, here’s what you’ll need:

• Canola Oil
• Bacon
• Pure Maple Syrup
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper
• Brown sugar

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions to make candied bacon, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

Can I Make This With Turkey Bacon?

I’ve only made this recipe using regular pork bacon, so I can’t speak to how it’d turn out using turkey bacon.

If you make this Black Pepper Candied Bacon using Turkey Bacon, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Please leave me a comment below and let me know.

How to Make Candied Bacon

Making candied pepper bacon couldn’t be simpler. Here are the basic steps to making candied bacon:

1. Place a wire rack on top of a baking pan. Brush it with canola oil.
2. Place bacon on wire rack.
3. Brush the raw bacon with maple syrup, then sprinkle with crushed black pepper and brown sugar.
4. Bake until the bacon is crisp.

The above is simply a quick summary of this bacon candy recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Tips for Making The Best Candied Bacon

Be sure to buy a plain pork bacon and not a flavored kind. You want the maple syrup and black pepper glaze to really stand out!

Also, make sure you’re using pure maple syrup and not pancake syrup. Pancake syrup is essentially flavored corn syrup and I don’t know how well it’d work in this recipe.

Place each slice of bacon in a single layer on the cooling rack atop the foil-lined baking sheet.

Baking time depends on the thickness of your bacon. Thinner slices will take less time that thick cut bacon, so keep an eye on your candied bacon as it cooks. You want crispy edges, not burnt edges.

Lastly, you want the black pepper to be ground coarsely. Each bite of candied bacon should have a nice pop of pepper flavor!

How to Store Candied Bacon

Candied bacon should be allowed to cool completely before being transferred to a sealed container. Then, transfer the airtight container to the fridge.

It should last about 3-4 days refrigerated. I recommend bring it back to room temperature before eating leftovers.

When Should I Serve this Bacon Candy?

This candied bacon recipe makes a nice addition on a holiday or Sunday brunch!

It is also a great homemade holiday gift idea to give to friends and neighbors. Package pieces of candied bacon in mason jars with a cute tag and ribbon.

Try this Easy Candied Bacon Recipe!

Next time you’re looking for a sweet and salty snack or delicious bacon recipe, give this Black Pepper Candied Bacon a try!

Did you think it was a delicious treat? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this easy snack recipe.

On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of this bacon candy!

More Easy Holiday Recipes:

Not sure what to give the special people in your life this holiday season? Here are a few more edible gifts you can make for them.

These Salt Dough Ornaments are the sweetest homemade gift! They can be hung on the tree year after year and can easily be personalized.

I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t love these Homemade Gingerbread Caramels. They taste just like the holidays!

Lemon Sugar is an edible gift that few people think to make. You can use flavored sugars in cocktails, on cookies, and more!

This Bourbon Caramel Sauce is another easy treat to make during the holidays. You can make a big batch and divide it between glass jars to give as gifts.

If you’re looking to get your kids involved with the gift giving, try making a batch of this Triple Chocolate Candy Cane Bark together. Kids love sprinkling all the toppings on!

Will you leave bacon for Santa this Christmas Eve?

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This recipe for Candied Bacon was written in partnership with Farmland Bacon. I have been compensated for my time in creating Bacon Candy for Santa, but all opinions are my own.