Easy Oven-Baked Candied Bacon Recipe (Perfect for Salads & Brussels Sprouts)

If you’ve never made a candied bacon recipe at home, this is your sign. Sweet, crispy, caramelized bacon is one of those simple upgrades that makes everything taste better - breakfast, brunch, salads, even roasted veggies.

I almost always use Kirkland brand bacon from Costco for this recipe. It’s thick, hearty, and holds up beautifully to baking and caramelizing. Once you try it this way, you’ll find yourself making extra every time - trust me.

Why Bake Candied Bacon on a Wire Rack?

This step matters more than you think.

Placing the bacon on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet allows:

• The fat to render and drip away, instead of the bacon sitting in grease

• Even air circulation for crispy, evenly cooked bacon

• Easier cleanup (foil catches everything!)

The result is bacon that’s crisp, candied, and not soggy.

Candied Bacon Ingredients

• 1 pack Kirkland (Costco) bacon (thick cut recommended-any brand will do)

• ½ cup light brown sugar

• Fresh cracked black pepper

• Paprika, sprinkled lightly over the top

• Optional: a very light pinch of salt (totally optional — bacon is already salty)

How to Make Candied Bacon

1. Preheat the oven

• Preheat to 375°F

• Use regular bake (not convection)

2. Prep the pan

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil

• Place a wire rack on top

  
  

3. Arrange the bacon

• Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack

• No overlapping - give them space to crisp

4. Season & sweeten

• Sprinkle evenly with light brown sugar

• Add fresh cracked black pepper

• Lightly sprinkle paprika over the top

• (Optional: a very light pinch of salt if you like sweet-salty contrast)

• Gently press the brown sugar and seasonings into the bacon so everything adheres and caramelizes evenly as it bakes.

5. Bake

• Bake for 25–30 minutes, depending on thickness

• Rotate the pan once halfway through

• Watch closely during the last few minutes - sugar can caramelize quickly!

6. Cool & crisp

• Remove from oven and let cool 5–10 minutes

• Bacon will continue to crisp and candy as it cools

How to Use Candied Bacon

Candied bacon is amazing on its own - especially for breakfast or brunch - but my favorite ways to use it are:

• Chopped into house salads

• Tossed into roasted Brussels sprouts (my absolute favorite)

• Sprinkled over:

  
  

  • Deviled eggs

  • Loaded baked potatoes

  • Grain bowls

  
  

👉 Try it in my Roasted Brussels Sprouts recipe here:

https://www.sincerelychefmom.com/post/candied-bacon-brussels-sprouts-restaurant-quality-at-home

Meal Prep Tip

This bacon is perfect for meal prep:

• Make a full batch (or two)

• Chop once cooled

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge

• Use all week for salads, Brussels, and quick dinners

Simple upgrades like this are my favorite way to make everyday meals feel a little more special. If you try it, I’d love to hear how you used it.