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Bacon is a staple of any good barbecue. But why settle for plain, crispy bacon when you can take it to the next level? Smoked candied bacon takes the classic treat to new heights with its sweet and savory combination of flavors that’s sure to delight your taste buds. Plus, it’s easy to make! Read on to learn how to make smoked candied bacon in a smoker.
What Smoked Bacon Is And Why You Should Try It
Smoked bacon is bacon that has been cured in a combination of sugar, salt, spices, and smoke. The curing process helps to form the bacon’s texture and flavor. During the smoking process, the flavor compounds are further enhanced as the smoke infuses into the meat. This gives smoked bacon its unique smoky flavor that can’t be achieved with other cooking methods.
Smoking bacon at home is an easy way to create delicious smoky flavors without having to buy pre-smoked products from the store. All you need is some quality pork belly or thick cut bacon and a few pantry staples like salt and sugar before smoking away in an electric smoker or grill until golden brown and crispy! Serve alongside eggs cooked sunny-side up or scrambled with cheese—or simply enjoy as a standalone treat!
What Does Candied Mean?
Candied Bacon is a type of smoked bbq recipe in which bacon is treated with a mixture of sugar (or other sweetener) and spices before cooking. It results in a piece of bacon that has a sweet flavor but still retains its smoky flavor from the smoking process. This combination makes for an incredibly tasty snack or side dish that pairs well with any meal.
How To Make Smoked Candied Bacon
Now that we know what the “smoked” and “candied” parts of this recipe refer to, let’s take a look at how to combine the two techniques to make this tasty bbq treat!
Making candied bacon at home doesn’t require any fancy or expensive equipment; all you really need is some basic ingredients, some aluminum foil, and your favorite smoker.
The best part is this recipe is so simple. All you need is a smoker and a little bit of time and you’ll be well on your way to an incredibly tasty snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
– 1 lb thick-cut bacon
– 2/3 cup brown sugar
– 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Preparing the Bacon
- Preheat your smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the bacon slices onto a wire cooling rack and set them onto an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet.
- Mix together the brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if desired).
- Sprinkle the mixture over both sides of each slice of bacon until all slices are evenly coated with the seasoning mix.
Smoking the Bacon
From there, place the baking sheet into your preheated smoker and cook for 45 minutes to an hour or until desired crispness is achieved, flipping once halfway through cooking time if needed.
Once done cooking, remove from heat and allow cooling before serving or storing in an airtight container for later use.
If desired, you can brush additional seasoning mix onto each piece prior to serving as a final touch! You can also add a sprinkle of chopped parsley or diced green onions for color if desired. Enjoy!
Smoked Candied Bacon
Equipment
- 1 BBQ smoker
- 1 baking sheet aluminum foil lined with wire rack
Ingredients
- 1 lb thick cut bacon
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne powder optional for a little kick
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 250ºF
- Thoroughly combine brown sugar, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne
- Place bacon slices on a wire rack and sprinkle the mixture over both sides of each slice of bacon. We want all of the slices to be evenly coated on both sides.
- Place baking sheet into smoker.
- Cook for approximately 45 minutes to an hour, until bacon begins to get crispy.
- Remove bacon from smoker and let it cool. Then serve and enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Who doesn’t love bacon? And now that you know how to make smoked candied bacon in a smoker, you can enjoy this delicious treat anytime you fire up your grill! This recipe is quick and easy—all it requires is some simple ingredients and about 45 minutes of cooking time in your preheated smoker—so why not give it a try? Your friends will be impressed by this smoky twist on classic bacon! So go ahead and get smokin’—your taste buds will thank you later!
Whether you’re new to smoking bbq at home or an experienced pitmaster looking for something fun to try out on the smokers this weekend, candied bacon should be high up on your list! With just a few ingredients and some basic supplies like aluminum foil, you can have yourself some delicious smoked bbq treats in no time – perfect for serving alongside your favorite dishes or as part of an appetizer platter! So why not give it a go? You’ll be glad you did!
