Candied Bacon + Arugula Croque Madame is a must for your next weekend brunch date. This classic bistro sandwich has a surprise twist that elevates its comfort food status to WOW!.
Candied bacon has become an increasingly popular treat, loved for its perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. But while the bacon itself is undeniably delicious, it can be tricky to figure out what to serve alongside it. The possibilities are endless, ranging from brunch dishes to salads to cocktails and more.
In this article, I’ll suggest 10 of my favorite pairings for candied bacon, from classics to more creative recipes. Whether you’re planning a special brunch, looking for new dinner ideas, or want to spice up your next party, these candied bacon accompaniments are sure to be crowd-pleasers.
1. Pancakes or Waffles
There’s no better way to start a lazy weekend morning than with a stack of pancakes or waffles topped with crispy candied bacon. The contrast of fluffy hotcakes and crunchy candy-like bacon is a match made in heaven. For maximum decadence, make the pancakes with a hint of maple syrup already mixed into the batter. The subtle maple flavor will complement the candied bacon perfectly.
2. Baked French Toast
Another brunch classic that’s elevated with candied bacon is baked French toast. Simply top your eggy, cinnamon-swirled bread with chopped bacon before baking. As the toast bakes, the bacon will caramelize even further, becoming an irresistible topping. Fresh fruit like strawberries or bananas also pair nicely with this dish.
3. Spinach Salad
Candied bacon can transform an ordinary salad into something special. One of my favorite combinations is a spinach salad with fresh strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, and chopped candied bacon. The sweet and salty bacon contrasts beautifully with the spinach, fruit, and creamy cheese. For the dressing, a simple balsamic vinaigrette allows the other flavors to shine.
4. Grilled Cheese
If you’ve never considered adding bacon to grilled cheese before, you’re in for a treat. Candied bacon takes the sandwich up another level, adding crunch and loads of flavor. For an upscale twist, use thick slices of brioche bread, Brie cheese, and a smear of fig jam or apple butter. The possibilities are endless for gourmet bacon-topped grilled cheese recipes.
5. BLT
A classic BLT sandwich deserves only the best candied bacon There’s no better bacon for this iconic sandwich than thick slices given the candied treatment Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and mayonnaise complete the perfect bite. For bonus points, try baking your own candied bacon specifically for BLTs—you’ll impress everyone.
6. Bacon Bloody Mary
Bacon is often served alongside Bloody Mary cocktails, so why not incorporate it right into the drink? Use candied bacon strips as festive swizzle sticks. The residual sweetness and spice from the bacon will infuse into the tomato juice for added flavor. Rim the glasses with a blend of brown sugar and smoked paprika for even more bacon essence.
7. Bacon and Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Take your burger game up a notch by stuffing patties with crumbled blue cheese and bits of candied bacon. The burgers take on an incredible smoky, sweet, and tangy flavor. Top with arugula and caramelized onions for a truly upscale bacon cheeseburger.
8. Bacon and Bourbon Milkshake
Yes, you read that correctly—and yes, it’s amazing. By blending candied bacon into an ice cream milkshake along with bourbon and a touch of maple syrup, you get sweetness, saltiness, smokiness, and warmth all in one indulgent drink. Garnish with crumbled bacon and serve with a straw.
9. Bacon Brownies
Chocolate and bacon were made for each other, so incorporating candied bacon into brownies is pure genius. Fold crispy chopped bacon into the brownie batter before baking for pockets of sweet crunch. You can also top the brownies with more candied bacon crumbles just before serving.
10. Bacon Caramel Corn
For a sweet and salty movie night snack, whip up a batch of caramel corn with candied bacon. Popcorn drizzled with caramel and sprinkled with the bacon makes for the ultimate irresistible treat. Sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy—this mix of textures and flavors is bound to be a new favorite.
Candied bacon may seem decadent, but as you can see, it’s incredibly versatile. There are so many creative and delicious ways to enjoy this candy-like pork beyond breakfast. With its magical sweet and salty flavor, candied bacon can elevate both sweet and savory foods to new levels of yumminess. So next time you make a batch of this irresistible bacon, try one of these fun pairings for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Make the Candied Bacon
It’s quite simple as long as you have the right tools. I recommend a sheet pan, some parchment or aluminum foil, and a wire rack.
- For easy cleanup, put parchment paper or foil on the bottom of your sheet pan. Set the wire rack inside. Place the bacon on a wire rack and top each piece with brown sugar and freshly ground black pepper.
- At 350°F, bake for 25 to 30 minutes, depending on how thick it is.
- As the bacon cools, move it to a new piece of parchment paper so it doesn’t stick to the wire rack.
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What can you eat with bacon?
Set up a sweet dessert spread that combines the bacon with other finger-foods like candied pecans, cheese cubes, Scottish shortbread or jam thumbprint cookies, and squares of dark chocolate. Spicy Candied Bacon: Before baking, season the bacon with cayenne pepper, black pepper, red pepper flakes, chili powder and/or paprika.
What is easy candied bacon?
Easy Candied Bacon is the ultimate party snack. Thick sliced bacon coated in brown sugar before being baked until crispy, sticky, and caramelized. The most addicting appetizer ever. People have strong feelings about bacon, and I’m one of them.
Do you put candied bacon on a rack?
No, you don’t need to place bacon on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. No rack will yield crispy yet chewy candied bacon (the way I like it!). Do you serve candied bacon chilled, room temperature or warm? I like to serve it room temperature or slightly warm, but you can serve it any way you’d like!
What kind of bacon is best for Bacon candy?
If you’re looking for more bacon recipes, try my bacon wrapped chicken, air fryer bacon, and bacon wrapped shrimp. Bacon — thick-cut bacon is the best option for bacon candy. Regular bacon is quite thin and can burn on the edges before the sugar caramelizes thoroughly.
How do you make a candy coating for Bacon?
Place a wire rack on the baking sheet, and arrange the bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack. They should not overlap. 2. To a small bowl, add light brown sugar, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper (optional). 3. Mix the ingredients together to create the candy coating for the bacon. 4.
How do you make sweet & salty candied bacon?
Sweet and salty candied bacon is easy to make with just 3 ingredients. This is the best snack to have at your next party or brunch. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place a wire rack on a foil lined baking sheet. Arrange the bacon on the wire rack and sprinkle with the black pepper. Lightly pat the brown sugar on top of the bacon to create a thin layer.