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Flavorful Candied Maple Bacon Strips with Cayenne Pepper Kick

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Sweet, salty, and spicy candied bacon strips glazed with maple syrup and cayenne pepper, baked to crispy perfection. A quick and easy snack that balances bold flavors and is perfect for entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Thick-cut bacon strips (preferably smoky, applewood-smoked)
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, then place a wire rack on top.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, vanilla extract, sea salt, and black pepper until smooth and glossy.
  3. Arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack, making sure they don’t overlap.
  4. Brush each strip generously with the maple-cayenne glaze using a basting brush.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes, then carefully flip each strip using tongs and brush with more glaze. Return to oven.
  6. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and caramelized. Watch closely to prevent burning.
  7. Remove from oven and transfer the bacon to a cooling rack or parchment paper to crisp up further. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
  8. Optional: For extra sticky strips, apply a final thin coat of glaze right after baking while the bacon is still warm.

Notes

Use thick-cut bacon for best results. Adjust cayenne pepper to control heat level. Baking on a wire rack ensures even crisping and prevents sogginess. Watch the glaze carefully to avoid burning. For extra crispiness, finish under the broiler briefly but watch closely.

Nutrition

Keywords: candied bacon, maple bacon, spicy bacon, cayenne pepper bacon, sweet and spicy snack, easy bacon recipe

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/flavorful-candied-maple-bacon-strips-with-cayenne-pepper-kick-recipe-easy-and-spicy/