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This Candied Bacon Recipe is made with turkey bacon, light brown sugar, pure maple syrup, pecans and seasoning. Brown sugar bacon, which, some call “Million Dollar Bacon” is a fun salty sweet side to serve for a special breakfast or brunch, or add it to salads, or break it into pieces and serve it in a bowl as a party snack. 

Candied Bacon on a wire cooling rack.

Our Million Dollar Bacon recipe is super easy to make and it comes together in about 25-30 minutes. Prep time is about 10 minutes, then the rest of the time is spent with the bacon cooking in the oven until it is crispy and caramelized. And yes, the pecans do stick to the bacon and every bite of this candy bacon is pretty amazing.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Flavor. One word – it’s addictive. Salty sweet, bacon with praline pecans – what’s not to love!
  • Shareworthy. Serve this Million Dollar Bacon at special breakfasts and brunches, potlucks, parties, and game day. It is a fun way to make a breakfast or brunch extra special.

What Is Candied Bacon?

Candied bacon is bacon that is coated with brown sugar and/or pure maple syrup then cooked in the oven until it is caramelized and crispy.

Candied Bacon Recipe Ingredients

Candied Bacon Ingredients in bowls for a candied bacon recipe.

  • Bacon. We use turkey bacon for this recipe, but you can use pork bacon if you like. 
  • Olive Oil. Use light olive oil, avocado oil or another fairly neutral flavored cooking oil.
  • Maple Syrup. Use pure maple syrup – not maple pancake syrup.
  • Brown Sugar. Use light brown sugar.
  • Seasoning. We use a mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, a little salt and a little black pepper (use cayenne if you want to add some heat).
  • Pecans. The pecans add such a great praline-like flavor and texture to the bacon. It’s SO good!

Find printable recipe with the measurements below.

Candied Bacon on a wire cooling rack for a candied bacon recipe.

How to Make Candied Bacon

  1. Preheat Oven. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Make Brown Sugar Mixture. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, seasoning and finely chopped pecans.
  3. Cook Turkey Bacon. Since we use turkey bacon for this recipe, we fry it for a few minutes first before cooking it in the oven so it will get crispy like pork bacon. To cook the turkey bacon, heat 2-3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet. Carefully lay the turkey bacon slices into the hot oil, cooking 3-4 slices at a time. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until it is partially cooked. Transfer to a wire cooling rack set on a baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with foil or parchment if you want to cut down on clean up.
  4. Cook Bacon In Oven. Brush the pure maple syrup on each piece of bacon, then sprinkle the brown sugar and pecan mixture over the bacon. Gently press it into the bacon so it will adhere when it cooks. Put the bacon in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the brown sugar and pecan mixture is caramelized.
  5. Cool Bacon. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bacon cool on the rack for a few minutes before handling.

How To Make Million Dollar Bacon With Pork Bacon

To make candy million dollar bacon using pork bacon, you want to use thick cuts of bacon, and skip the pan frying step that we mention in the directions above for cooking turkey bacon. Just directly lay the raw bacon strips on a wire cooling rack set on a baking sheet. Brush them with the pure maple syrup, sprinkle the streusel mixture over the bacon, pressing it into the bacon gently, and then bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.

Brown Sugar Bacon on a wire cooling rack.

What To Serve With Candy Bacon

Serve it for special breakfasts and brunches, add it to salads (whole or crumbled), or break into wedges and place in a bowl to serve as a party snack or appetizer.

Million Dollar Bacon on a plate.

How To Store Brown Sugar Bacon

  • Store brown sugar bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If properly stored, it should last 3-5 days.
  • To reheat the bacon, add a little butter to a skillet and add the bacon to warm it through, or reheat it in the oven for a few minutes.

More Recipes With Bacon

Candied Bacon on a plate.
No Ratings
Yield: 8 Servings

Candied Bacon Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

This Candied Bacon Recipe is made with turkey bacon, light brown sugar, pure maple syrup, pecans and seasoning. Brown sugar bacon, which, some call "Million Dollar Bacon" is a fun salty sweet side to serve for a special breakfast or brunch, or add it to salads, or break it into pieces and serve it in a bowl as a party snack. 

Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce package turkey bacon (we like to use Applegate brand)
  • 2 tablespoons light olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1//2 cup chopped raw pecans

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly brush oil on a wire cooling rack or use a cooking spray.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, seasoning and finely chopped pecans.
  3. Heat 2-3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet. Carefully lay the turkey bacon slices into the hot oil, cooking 3-4 slices at a time. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until it is partially cooked. Transfer to a wire cooling rack set on a baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with foil or parchment first if you want to cut down on clean up.
  4. Brush pure maple syrup on each piece of bacon, then sprinkle the brown sugar and pecan mixture over the bacon. Gently press it into the bacon so it will adhere when it cooks. Put the bacon in the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the brown sugar and pecan mixture is caramelized.
  5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bacon cool on the rack for 5 minutes before handling.

Notes

How To Make Million Dollar Bacon With Pork Bacon

To make candy million dollar bacon using pork bacon, you want to use thick cuts of bacon, and skip the pan frying step that we mention in the directions above for cooking turkey bacon. Just directly lay the raw bacon strips on a wire cooling rack set on a baking sheet. Brush them with the pure maple syrup, sprinkle the streusel mixture over the bacon, pressing it into the bacon gently, and then bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 167Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 0gSugar: 33gProtein: 1g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations. See full disclaimer on About page.

© Deborah Duncan
Cuisine: American / Category: Breakfast