How to Make Delicious Hillbilly Bacon at Home

Hillbilly bacon is a unique twist on classic bacon that adds a sweet, peppery kick This Southern specialty transforms ordinary breakfast bacon into an irresistible treat.

Making hillbilly bacon at home is easy With just a few extra ingredients and steps, you can give bacon an incredible flavor upgrade I’ll walk through everything from choosing the right bacon to baking techniques for perfect results every time. Let’s get cookin’!

What is Hillbilly Bacon?

Hillbilly bacon starts with regular sliced bacon like you’d buy at the grocery store. Before cooking, the bacon gets coated in a seasoned flour mixture that forms a crispy, candied-like coating when baked.

The flour coating includes:

• Flour – provides a crispy shell.

• Brown sugar – adds sweetness and caramelizes when baked.

• Black pepper – gives a little kick.

The flour adheres to the fatty bacon as it cooks, taking this breakfast staple to the next level. The sweet heat takes bacon from boring to extraordinary!

Why Make Homemade Hillbilly Bacon?

Cooking your own hillbilly bacon allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavors. Here are some of my favorite reasons to whip up a batch at home:

• Cost savings – Much cheaper than buying pre-made.

• Customizable – Change up the sugars and seasonings to your taste.

• Perfect crispiness – Get it just how you like it.

• Fun weekend project – Great for families, kids can help!

• Makes an amazing gift – Share with friends and neighbors.

Once you discover how easy and delicious it is to make, you’ll never buy plain bacon again!

Ingredients Needed

The ingredients for hillbilly bacon are simple:

• Thick-cut sliced bacon – Go for quality over thin cheap bacon.

• All-purpose flour – Use about 1/4 cup per 1 lb. bacon.

• Brown sugar – Dark or light, use 1-2 tbsp per lb. bacon.

• Freshly ground black pepper – 1/2 to 1 tsp per lb. bacon.

• Baking sheet

• Aluminum foil

That’s it! Now let’s get to the fun part – making this bacon.

How to Make Hillbilly Bacon

Follow these simple steps for crispy, candied bacon every time:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set aside.

2. In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, brown sugar, and black pepper.

3. One at a time, dredge the bacon slices in the flour mixture, coating both sides.

4. Arrange coated bacon slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

5. Bake for 10-15 minutes, flipping bacon halfway through, until browned and crisp.

6. Transfer baked hillbilly bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.

7. Let cool slightly before serving or store cooled bacon in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

The flour coating should fully adhere to the fatty bacon as it renders in the oven. Resist the urge to crowd the pan which can lead to soggy spots.

Cooking Tips

Follow these tips for perfect hillbilly bacon every time:

• Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture.

• Apply an even coating of the flour mixture on each slice.

• Bake in a single layer on a foil-lined pan for maximum crispness.

• Cook at 400°F for deliciously caramelized bacon.

• Flip halfway through for even baking.

• Let cool before eating or storing for the coating to fully set.

With the right techniques, you’ll have candied bacon that rivals any restaurant!

Customize the Flavors

One of the best parts of making your own hillbilly bacon is experimenting with fun flavors. Try these tasty variations:

• Use maple sugar and cayenne pepper for a breakfast twist.

• Swap in crushed corn flakes or potato chips for the flour coating.

• Add a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for a sweeter flavor.

• Use chili powder and cumin for a Southwestern kick.

• Coat in a brown sugar and espresso mixture for a mocha vibe.

Let your imagination run wild! The seasoning options are truly endless.

Serving Ideas

This bacon glazes up so nicely that you’ll want to show it off. Here are some fun ways to serve your homemade hillbilly bacon:

• Feature on a charcuterie board with cheese, nuts, and fruit.

• Crumble on salads or baked potatoes for a smoky-sweet topping.

• Chop and add to cornbread, biscuit, or pancake batters.

• Use in place of bacon in recipes like quiche, bean soups, or Brussels sprouts.

• Bake into the crust of a quiche or pot pie for over-the-top flavor.

• Candy extra slices and give as edible gifts to friends and family.

However you choose to enjoy it, hillbilly bacon is sure to be a new favorite!

Why You’ll Love Hillbilly Bacon

If you think regular bacon is good, just wait until you try homemade hillbilly bacon! Here’s why you’re guaranteed to love it:

• The sweetness balances the saltiness – It adds flavor complexity.

• The peppery kick cuts through the fattiness – It keeps each bite interesting.

• The flour coating gets ultra crispy – It provides irresistible texture.

• The candied exterior caramelizes beautifully – It makes for visual appeal.

• It transforms an everyday ingredient into something special – It feels indulgent.

Once you experience crispy, candied, pepper-flecked heaven, basic bacon will never again suffice!

Make Hillbilly Bacon Right at Home

As you can see, hillbilly bacon is shockingly easy to make at home with common ingredients. The only hard part is waiting for that first batch to finish baking!

Follow my simple flour coating and baking steps for candied bacon perfection. Then play around with fun flavor variations to find your favorite.

Hillbilly bacon makes an amazing weekend project and gift, or everyday breakfast indulgence. However you enjoy it, this Southern specialty is sure to be a new go-to.

Now who’s ready to fry up some bacon? My oven’s already preheating – let’s do this!