How to Make Homemade Spicy Candied Bacon with Pepper Jelly

We LOVE bacon in this family. Much like pepper jelly, it’s such a versatile food that can be used to add flavor to an infinite variety of snacks, meals, and even desserts. 

One of our favorite ways to enjoy this salt-cured pork is to candy it. Have you ever tried candied bacon? If not, you’re really missing out! I’ve been making our family candied bacon recipe for a long time and felt it was finally time to share. 

It’s no secret that the Jones family loves our sweet heat treats. Our candied bacon recipe adds the perfect amount of sweetness, heat, and smokiness that pairs well with everything from pulled pork sandwiches to a spicy Bloody Mary. 

The best part about it? It is so easy to make. Try our candied bacon recipe featuring Grandma Jones’ Pepper Jelly, and let us know what you think! 

Spicy Candied Bacon Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound thick-cut bacon
• 1/4 cup Grandma Jones’ Pepper Jelly
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the pepper jelly, hot sauce, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
3. Lay the bacon strips on the prepared baking sheet and brush the pepper jelly mixture over the top of each strip, making sure to coat the bacon evenly.
4. Bake the bacon in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the glaze is caramelized.
5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the bacon cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a plate or serving platter.

Spicy candied bacon tips: 

• You can serve the spicy candied bacon as a snack or appetizer or use it as a topping for burgers, salads, or other dishes that could use a sweet and spicy kick.
• You can adjust the level of heat by using different hot sauces and pepper jelly flavors. 

5 Uses for Homemade Spicy Candied Bacon 

For lovers of spicy foods, candied bacon is the perfect addition to just about anything. These are some of my favorite ways to use candied bacon: 

Breakfast dishes: Candied bacon can be a sweet and salty addition to breakfast dishes like pancakes, waffles, or French toast.

Salads: Crumble candied bacon on a salad for added crunch and flavor. It pairs well with salads that have a sweet element, like apples or cranberries.

Burgers: Use candied bacon as a topping for burgers to add a sweet and savory twist. It can also be used as a component in a bacon jam or spread.

Appetizers: Candied bacon can be a delicious appetizer when wrapped around items like dates or water chestnuts or as part of a charcuterie board.

Desserts: Candied bacon can be a unique addition to desserts like ice cream or cupcakes, adding a salty and sweet element to the dish.

Spice Up Your Life with This Candied Bacon Recipe!

Whether you’re looking to take your breakfast to the next level or want to try a gourmet savory dessert, you can make delicious candied bacon with Grandma Jones’ Pepper Jelly. 

This recipe is very versatile and can be adapted to any spice tolerance. If you can’t handle the heat, cut back on the hot sauce and cayenne pepper. You can also control the spice level with your favorite pepper jelly flavor. For a sweeter candied bacon recipe, give our cranberry pepper jelly a try. On the other hand, if you want hotter bacon, try our habanero pepper jelly. 

You can shop all our pepper jelly flavors on our website, including our variety packs!