You will love this Candied Bacon, a salty, sweet, peppery snack that is also keto-friendly! Use low-carb maple flavored syrup for a treat that works for keto breakfast as well as it does for dessert!
Maple Bacon Candy
This keto Candied Bacon is made by using fresh cracked pepper and delicious sugar-free maple syrup. Super flavorful, low-carb, and even great as an edible gift! Drop crispy, sweet, peppery slices in a plastic party favor bag for an easy present.
Whether you enjoy crispy or chewy bacon, you can make this perfect for you! Only 3 ingredients needed for this delicious, easy candied bacon recipe.
Candied Bacon Ingredients
As always, here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need. Keep scrolling down to the printable recipe card for specific amounts.
- Thick Cut Bacon – Because the bacon has so much syrup, it requires a long cooking time. If you use thinly sliced bacon, they will burn before the syrup has time to get baked in.
- Sugar Free Maple Syrup – I used Lakanto’s maple syrup; it has the perfect flavor for smoked bacon, too. The cinnamon version also creates a tasty candied bacon with a fall-inspired twist!
- Cracked Pepper – Freshly cracked pepper has the best taste and texture, but you can LIGHTLY sprinkle regular table pepper if you don’t have cracked pepper.
How to Make Maple Bacon keto
Here’s a step-by-step guide to make keto candied bacon! If you aren’t keto, simply swap out the sugar-free syrup with real maple syrup.
Stretch
Lightly stretch the bacon strips to reduce the amount of shrinkage they will experience in the oven. If you skip this step, your bacon will still be delicious, just a little small.
Add toppings
Once stretched, place bacon on a rack on a baking pan. Brush the bacon with maple syrup, then sprinkle over freshly cracked pepper. Flip bacon over and continue to brush with syrup and top with pepper.
Bake
On the rack, cook bacon 45-55 minutes. If you like chewy thick bacon, cook closer to 45 minutes. If you prefer super crunchy bacon, cook closer to 55 minutes instead. You can flip the bacon and pour off bacon grease about halfway through cooking time, but I didn’t notice much of a difference.
Store
Maple bacon should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days. Make sure to allow to cool completely before storing, especially if storing in a gift bag (otherwise the steam will soften the bacon).
Freeze
Bacon can be frozen both cooked and raw. To freeze this maple bacon, allow to cool completely and then freeze in a single layer. After 1-2 hours, transfer the bacon into a freezer bag and keep up to 3-6 months.
Reheat
You can reheat this bacon in several ways. In the microwave, zap in 30-second increments until warm. In the air fryer, reheat at 390 degrees for 3-5 minutes. In the oven, reheat on 400 degrees F for 5-10 minutes.
If you like this candied bacon, you’ll love these keto recipes!
- Cheesy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon – This one pan dish is great as a side or even a meal! Bacon adds the perfect crunchy touch.
- Avocado Bacon Dip – Creamy mixed with crunchy is perfect with some Keto Chips! Sour cream gives this dip that perfect texture you’ll love!
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Zucchini Boats – Making this classic sandwich a bit healthier has led to an absolutely DELICIOUS dinner!
- Fried Cabbage with Bacon – So few ingredients means each one can shine! Bacon adds a great texture with the cabbage, perfect side dish.
FAQ’s about Candied Bacon
No, this recipe works with thick-cut bacon because you want time for the maple to melt into the bacon. If you use thin bacon, the bacon will be burned before the syrup gets that great candied flavor.
You can, but it takes a lot to get that candied flavor. If you like it super sweet, sprinkling monk fruit on top of maple syrup would work. Using syrup on its own gives it the most classic “candied” flavor.
Yes, there are 2 ways to make this sweeter. You can brush the bacon with syrup, then sprinkle brown sugar monk fruit on top. You could also make the candied bacon, then dip it in melted sugar-free chocolate.
Usually candied bacon isn’t because it’s caused by cooking the bacon with sugar. However, this candied bacon fits into many keto lifestyles because is uses sugar free maple syrup!
Candied Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1/3-1/2 cup sugar-free maple syrup
- Cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F while you place a baking rack on a pan.
- Lightly stretch the bacon, then lay each piece on the rack.
- Brush each strip of bacon with maple syrup, then top with pepper. Turn bacon over and again add syrup and pepper.
- Bake bacon 45-55 minutes, depending on how you prefer your bacon. 45-50 minutes will result in a chewier bacon. 50-55 can result in crispier pieces.
