Traeger Smoked Spicy Candied Bacon is the easiest crowd-pleaser you are ever going to make. Much easier than pan-fried bacon, on any day of the week, this one is special enough for a Sunday full of company or a houseful of football fans invading your house for a game.
Smoked Spicy Candied Bacon
If you don’t have a pellet grill yet, you can make this candied bacon in the oven. I’ll include notes on the recipe to tell you how to adjust, but by the end of this, you might be searching for a Traeger!
I’ve been posting a lot of Traeger recipes lately. You’ve seen the Traeger Grilled Chicken, Traeger Grilled Chicken Kabobs, Traeger Grilled Chicken Wings, Traeger Grilled Pork Chops, and the Traeger Grilled Chicken Sandwich. We are a little obsessed. Traeger Prime Rib? YUP.
Why pellet grills?
We love pellet grilling because it is just SO easy. Starting it is as easy as turning a dial. It maintains a consistent temperature better than any other grill I’ve ever used, and it is ALLLLL indirect heat, so you can “low and slow” alll of those awesome cuts of meat that get so tender a delicious with that method.
Plus – smoke. All the smoke. At home. No bbq joint required. You can even make your very own smoked beef jerky on them, which in a house with as many boys as we have will make the thing pay for itself by the time it is all said and done.
Check out my Ultimate Guide to Traeger Grills!
Candied Bacon shopping list
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Bacon
- Dark brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Sriracha hot sauce
- Cayenne pepper
Try our Egg Bites with Sausage
How to make Smoked Candied Bacon
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
1
u003cstrongu003eMixu003c/strongu003e
Start these by mixing together the brown sugar, maple syrup, cayenne, and sriracha in a small bowl. On a parchment lined baking sheet, lay out your bacon in a single layer and brush on the sugar mixture generously on both sides of the bacon.
2
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Preheat to 300°F, close the lid, and let it preheat for 15 minutes. Once it is heated, we can put the bacon in!
3
u003cstrongu003eSmokeu003c/strongu003e
Shut the lid and let it go for 20 minutes.
Flip all of the bacon, shut the lid, and cook another 15 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked and the sugars are completely melted.
Remember that it’ll cook a little more once you pull it, so watch it carefully those last 5ish minutes!
PRO TIP: Make this blueberry breakfast cake to go with this bacon. You will not regret it. Or put it into this awesome crescent roll breakfast bake.
4
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Let cool and enjoy!
Real Reviews from Readers!
Traeger Smoked Spicy Candied Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound center-cut bacon
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sriracha hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, hot sauce, and cayenne in a small bowl. Whisk together until combined.
- Preheat your Traeger to 300 degrees following the Traeger instructions.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the bacon out in a single layer, and generously brush both sides with the sugar mixture.
- Place the pans in the Traeger (or your oven), and cook for 20 minutes. Then flip the bacon to the other side, and cook for the remaining 15 minutes (or until the bacon looks cooked and the sugar is melted and delicious, your mileage may vary by 3-4 minutes either way.)
- Remove from the grill or oven and let cook for 10-15 minutes before removing from the pan to give the “candy” time to settle. Definitely do NOT place directly on paper towels, or you’ll have paper towel candied bacon and no one likes that.
Michelle
Saturday 26th of August 2023
Making a variation of this right now for our last home pre-season game! Go Chiefs❤️?
Nicole Johnson
Saturday 26th of August 2023
Awesome!! Let me know how it goes!!
Lonnie
Monday 4th of May 2020
We are making this bacon in about 15 minutes. Can't wait.