Warning ~ If you already have an addiction to bacon, I cannot be held responsible if this recipe feeds your addiction and leaves you craving it morning, noon and night.
I first tasted brown sugar bacon at Mint the Restaurant in Ridgeland, Mississippi. It arrived as a sweet, smoky bacon bite tossed on a salad, and I was determined to recreate that balance of flavors. The good news: it’s simple to make. The bad news: it’s dangerously addictive — I found myself nibbling it like candy.
Enjoy!
Pin
Print
3.34 from 3 votes
Brown Sugar Chili Bacon
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chili powder (or smoked paprika)
- ½ lb. bacon
Instructions
-
-
Mix the brown sugar and chili powder in a resealable plastic bag. I used ground dried ancho chilis, but you can use regular chili powder or smoked paprika depending on the flavor you prefer.
-
To stretch the bacon and get more pieces, cut the package in half before using. This recipe uses half a package (about ½ lb.), but you can double quantities if you want more. Store the remaining bacon for another meal.
-
Separate the bacon strips and place them into the bag with the sugar and spice mixture.
-
Seal the bag and shake it until each strip is lightly coated. If you like, let a child help by gently jumping or shaking the bag, but you can also shake it yourself.
-
Remove the bacon from the bag, ensuring each piece has a light coating of the sugar mixture. Lay the strips on a rimmed baking sheet so the rendered fat stays contained.
-
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, turning the pan halfway through to promote even browning. The bacon may look intense when it first comes out of the oven, but that’s normal.
-
Transfer the strips to a paper towel for a moment to blot excess grease.
-
Don’t leave the bacon on the paper towel for too long or the sugar coating can stick. After a minute, move it to a plate to cool slightly.
-
Let the bacon cool for a few minutes; the sugar will crystallize and the strips will crisp up like candy. Serve on a BLT, in a grilled cheese, or crumble over a salad for a sweet, smoky crunch.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Did you try this recipe?Please rate it, leave a comment, and save it so you can make it again. Share your results by tagging @zestuous on social media.