Spiced brown sugar bacon is the perfect salty sweet side for any breakfast or brunch. This recipe is simple to replicate and likely to impress at your next brunch. It’s so delicious! If you’re a bacon fan well your welcome in advance.
All things Spiced bacon
The Ingredients
The ingredients used in this recipe are kitchen staples. Here’s what we used: light brown sugar, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, ground black pepper, and bacon of course. Brown sugar is used instead of granulated sugar because of molasses. The darker the brown sugar, the higher the content of molasses. Light brown sugar has roughly 3.5% molasses. While dark brown sugar has 6.5% molasses. Dark brown sugar has a more caramel deep complex color and flavor. In this recipe, light brown sugar is used. Because bacon is the star and dark brown sugar would over power the bacon.
Lets talk spices and bacon! Spices used are red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, and fresh ground black pepper. These three ingredients balance the sweetness from the light brown sugar. Also, provide a little necessary heat. If not a fan of spicy, do not add the cayenne pepper. Finally…drum roll please…bacon. Bacon is what this recipe is all about. We suggest nitrite, nitrates, antibiotics, and growth stimulant free bacon. In this recipe, Nature’s Rancher smoked uncured bacon was used. Any nitrite or nitrate free bacon will work.
How to make the spiced bacon
Making the bacon is pretty simple and straight forward. Follow the steps below to create spiced brown sugar bacon:
- Preheat the oven to 375 or 400 degrees F.
- Place a line of foil on a large cookie sheet. (In addition to the foil, a wire rack an also be used.)
- Next using a medium sized bowl mix together the light brown sugar, fresh ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper.
- Sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the bacon. Place the bacon in a single row on the cookie sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the brown sugar has melted and the bacon is crispy.
- Transfer the cooked bacon to a serving plate and serve hot.
What to pair the bacon with..
Spiced bacon is very versatile and could be served numerous ways. The sky is the limit! Here a few examples. The bacon could be served as a brunch appetizer with a mimosa or bloody Mary. If using for breakfast, this bacon would pair well with coffee or orange juice. This bacon could also be a side dish to fluffy waffles or french toast. Another way to use the bacon is as a topping. For example, the bacon can be served on top of a hamburger or chicken sandwich. In addition to burgers/sandwiches, the bacon can also be chopped up. And served over hot or cold dishes. Like a salad, a soup, or a pasta. The chopped bacon could also be a pizza topping.
What are you pairing the bacon with?
Spiced Brown Sugar Bacon
Ingredients
- 4-8 slices Thick-cut bacon
- 1/4 cup Light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp Fresh ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper optional for extra heat
- 1 tsp Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place a line of foil on a large cookie sheet.
- Next using a medium sized bowl mix together the light brown sugar, fresh ground black pepper, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle the mixture on both sides of the bacon. Place the bacon in a single row on the cookie sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the brown sugar has melted and the bacon is crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a serving plate and serve hot.