Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (2024)

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (1)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

This Candied Bacon Brittle is fully loaded with toasted nuts and candied bacon. I really want you to experience this unusualbut CRAZY GOODtreat! This recipe is proof that bacon really can make everything better ;).

Tabasco sponsored this holiday dessert and their original red pepper sauce takes this bacon over the top. It really amplifies the flavor of bacon and balances the sweetness of the glaze. The spiciness is very subtle and lingers in your mouth.

My sister Anna gave me the idea for this recipe – I was thinking about “just” making candied bacon until she threw down the brittle + bacon idea. It’s seriously amazing! Thanks Anna!!!

This makes for a wonderful homemade gift because it lasts up to 3 days at room temperature. I sent 2 batches to my sons’ school for the teachers to enjoy and apparently it was the talk of the entire school, which definitely made my day :).

Watch How to Make Candied Bacon Brittle:

Tips for perfect candied bacon:

  1. *Only usethick-cut bacon. Regular thinner-cut bacon will crisp much faster in the oven and will burnfollowing these baking times. I’ve tested this theory ;).
  2. Pre-baking the bacon is a vital step. Bacon does not absorb the syrup so it doesn’t need to marinate in it and if you brush it on at the beginning, the sugar will get smoky in the oven which is no fun (I’ve tested this theory as well). I found the best balance to be 20 minutes in the oven before applying the glaze.
  3. A thicker cut bacon may require even more pre-baking unless it has more meat than fat (my 1 lb of bacon had 12 strips).

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (2)

I’ve done countless tests of candied bacon and this is the only method I’ve found that actually candies the bacon without making your whole house smoky from brown sugar. I’m amazed at how many recipes out there don’t warn people about that! Follow these instructions (using thick-cut bacon) and you will have beautiful candied baconwithout having to air out your house! 🙂

I think she takes after me! 🙂 My toddler loved the candied bacon!!

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (3)

You will need a candy thermometer for this recipe. They range $7-$15 or so onAmazon (affiliate).

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (4)

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (5)

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle

4.92 from 12 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (7)

This Candied bacon brittle is fully loaded with toasted nuts and candied bacon. I really want you to experience this strange but CRAZY GOOD treat!

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Ingredients

Candied Bacon Ingredients:

  • 1 lb 11-12 strips THICK CUT bacon*
  • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp real maple syrup
  • 2 tsp Tabasco Original Pepper Sauce

Nut Brittle Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted pecans, ** toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup unsalted cashews, ** toasted and coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 8 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tsp baking soda

What you'll need:

  • Candy thermometer

Instructions

How to Make Candied Bacon:

  • In a small bowl stir together: 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp maple syrup and 2 tsp Tabasco, and set aside.

  • Cover a rimmed backing sheet with foil and set a wire rack inside. Separate bacon strips and place them evenly over the rack/baking sheet. Bake at 400˚F for 20 minutes. Flip bacon over and brush top with 1/2 of syrup then bake 5 minutes, flip bacon over, brush top with remaining syrup and bake 5-7 minutes or until browned. Don't bake much beyond this because the sugar coating can start to get smoky.

  • Remove from oven, use tongs to shift them around slightly on the rack to prevent sticking and let cool on the rack until room temperature then pat dry both sides lightly with paper towels to remove excess oil then chop into 1/2” pieces.

PREP EVERYTHING Before Starting Candy:

  • You have to move fast when making candy because it hardens quickly, so have ingredients and tools ready to go: Line baking sheet with parchment and have 2 forks ready to pull brittle apart. Have a candy thermometer ready.

  • Before starting candy, toast nuts then coarsely chop. Once nuts and bacon are cooled to room temp, toss them together in a bowl.

How to Make Nut Brittle:

  • In a medium heavy saucepan, combine: 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup corn syrup and 8 Tbsp butter. Bring to a boil, and adjust temperature to keep a medium boil. Cook, stirring occasionally 10-12 minutes, stirring more frequently towards the end (time will vary based on the size of pan, so cook until brittle is a light beige and reaches 290˚F on a candy thermometer.

  • Once at 290˚F, turn off heat, remove candy thermometer and very quickly stir in 1 tsp baking soda. It will puff up. Baking soda makes brittle lighter and crunchier.

  • Quickly (fast as lightning!!) stir in nuts and candied bacon then immediately transfer to parchment lined baking sheet and work fast to spread brittle out with 2 forks then smooth out with a spatula. Cool until firm then break into pieces and serve or package up your bacon brittle as gifts!

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Candied Bacon Brittle

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (8)

Because it’s hard to put into words just how good this tastes, you really have to put it into your mouth to see for yourself! I hope you’re as crazy about this as we are :). Big thank you to Tabasco for sponsoring this fantastic recipe.

Q: What is your favorite homemade treat to make at Christmas time?

Natasha Kravchuk

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (9)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Holiday Candied Bacon Brittle (VIDEO Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to refrigerate candied bacon? ›

Candied bacon is perishable, so it should be stored in the refrigerator within 2 hours of making the recipe. You can store the cooked candied bacon in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

What is candied bacon made of? ›

What is Candied Bacon. Also known as Pig Candy, Candied Bacon is made by coating thick sliced of bacon in something sweet such as brown sugar, maple syrup, or caramel before baking until caramelized. It's fantastic crumbled on a salad or just served alongside a pint of your favorite beer.

Can you freeze candied bacon? ›

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer. Immediately after cooling, wrap portions in plastic wrap and then in foil, ensuring a tight seal.

How do you store pig candy? ›

We recommend You store you Pig Candy in a cool place like a refrigerator or a freezer. How long does my Pig Candy Last? The Pig candy will last about 6 weeks in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Does candied bacon go bad? ›

Storing candied bacon properly will help to stave off spoilage, but not forever. It is important to be able to check your bacon and identify signs that it has gone bad in order to keep yourself from ingesting harmful pathogens. First, inspect the bacon visually to see if the texture or color has changed significantly.

Is candied bacon good the next day? ›

Candied bacon can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheats well in a skillet over low heat.

What ingredient to avoid in bacon? ›

The health risk of bacon is largely to do with two food additives: potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre) and sodium nitrite. It is these that give salamis, bacons and cooked hams their alluring pink colour.

How much sugar is in candied bacon? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Sodium 577mg25%
Total Carbohydrate 14g5%
Total Sugars 13g
9 more rows
Feb 23, 2023

Why does bacon taste funny after freezing? ›

According to the National Center for Home Food Preservation, the high fat content can cause bacon to develop a rancid flavor even in the freezer. Bacon from an open package should be frozen as soon as possible to a temperature of 0° F or lower.

Can I reheat candied bacon? ›

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet. This is like candy – we love it! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

Where did candied bacon originate? ›

Candied Bacon, also known as Pig Candy, originally gained popularity in Washington D.C. from what I can tell. It was served to patrons as an alternative bar food snack and from there the bacon spread.

How do you preserve candied bacon? ›

Candied Bacon Holds Up Well In The Freezer

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer. Immediately after cooling, wrap portions in plastic wrap and then in foil, ensuring a tight seal.

Can candied bacon be stored at room temperature? ›

The secret to prolonging the life of these golden, sugary strips lies in proper storage. The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator.

Does pig candy need to be refrigerated? ›

Preparation and Storage Tips. The brown sugar bacon can sit out at room temperature for a few hours, and then leftovers need to be wrapped tightly and refrigerated. It will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

How do you store candied bacon? ›

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator. Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious.

How long can bacon be left unrefrigerated? ›

The general rule of food safety is to not let raw meat or cooked food sit out for more than 2 hours, and that rule applies to uncooked or cooked bacon. It's wise to be careful with uncooked pork products since they can harbor and grow bacterial pathogens like salmonella and trichinosis.

Does crispy cooked bacon need to be refrigerated? ›

Under USDA guidelines, both raw bacon and cooked bacon products should be refrigerated at 40 or below for the best results. This is recommended because the temperature is low enough to minimize the risk of bacteria growth without causing freezer burn.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6555

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.