Baked Brown Sugar Bacon

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This baked brown sugar bacon is hands down my favorite way to enjoy bacon! Not only does it add a touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the smokey bacon flavor, but clean-up is a breeze! You’re going to love it.

perfectly cooked brown sugar bacon

Frying bacon can be a bit of a hassle. The grease splatters and the messy stovetop are enough to make you consider skipping it altogether. But what if I told you that we have a solution? This recipe for perfectly crispy brown sugar bacon is not only easy and less messy, but it’s also the most delicious way to enjoy bacon.

As some of you may know, at one time, I owned a bed and breakfast. With six years of daily breakfast cooking and serving under my belt, I have lots of delicious recipes and ideas to share.

But, there was always one breakfast staple that got rave reviews…and it’s this one. Trust me, this is a crowd-pleaser every single time!

Curious about some of my other B&B favorites? Check out this berry stuffed french toast, spinach bacon swiss quiche, and raspberry buttermilk cake. They were always winners!

All of you who love bacon are sure to understand the allure. However, if you’ve never had bacon prepared this way, you must give it a try. If you think you liked bacon before, you’re going to fall head over heels for this stuff.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make – because this is a baked bacon recipe, it’s super easy to make. No more standing over the stove watching the bacon—instead, just stick it in the oven.
  • Feeds a crowd – again, because it’s cooked in the oven, it’s just as simple to make a massive batch than a small one!
  • Simple recipe – as you’ll see below, the ingredient list is very simple. There are only 2 ingredients, or 3 if you like it spicey. 😉
perfectly cooked oven baked bacon

Ingredients

Well, the name kind of gives the two ingredients away, but to make this breakfast dish, you’ll need:

  • Bacon – most importantly, you must use quality, thick-cut bacon. I’m currently a big fan of the Wright Brand Applewood Smoked Bacon. It’s a bit more expensive but totally worth it. However, use whatever brand you prefer: just make sure it’s cut thick.
  • Brown sugar
  • Cayenne pepper – optional, but if you like a bit of heat, adding cayenne pepper to your sugar pairs wonderfully. (There are four more unique recipe variations listed below.)
close up of a platter of brown sugar bacon

How to Make Brown Sugar Bacon

Now, this recipe is super simple, but there are a few important things to ensure delicious results every time. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.

how to bake thick cut bacon
  1. To get started, I line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Then, I set a cooling rack in the foil-lined pan. The aluminum foil isn’t necessary, but when the pan is cooled, you can just toss the foil in the trash along with the bacon grease, which makes for easy clean up.
baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and cooling rack
  1. After that, simply lay out your bacon on the cooling rack, sprinkle the bacon with brown sugar, and pop the pan into the oven.
sprinkling brown sugar on raw bacon

The amount of brown sugar is totally up to you. I just give the bacon a little dusting. If you like things sweeter, add more sugar. If you just want a hint of sweetness, use less.

tray of uncooked brown sugar bacon

Like things spicy? Shake a little cayenne pepper in your brown sugar. So good!

how to make spicy sweet bacon
  1. Bake the bacon at 350 degrees F for 20-30 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it.

Just pay attention to it, particularly as the bacon nears cooked perfection. It can go from perfectly done to burned very quickly.

Baked bacon on cooling rack

That’s it!

I kid you not, this stuff is dangerously good. You will both thank me and hate me for sharing this deliciousness with you.

Recipe Variations

Now that you’ve mastered the art of perfectly crispy brown sugar bacon, let’s get creative with some recipe variations!

  1. Maple Glazed: Instead of using brown sugar, brush the bacon with pure maple syrup before baking. The result is a sweet and savory treat that’s perfect for breakfast or as a topping for pancakes.
  2. Spicy: Add some heat to your bacon by sprinkling it with chili powder or cayenne pepper before baking. This is a great option for those who love a little kick in their dishes.
  3. Candied Pecan: Take your bacon to the next level by adding some candied pecans on top. Mix some chopped pecans with brown sugar and a pinch of salt, then sprinkle it on top of the bacon before baking. The result is a sweet and crunchy treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
  4. Cinnamon Roll: Turn your bacon into a sweet breakfast treat by sprinkling it with cinnamon sugar before baking. Serve it with warm pancakes and a drizzle of maple syrup for the ultimate breakfast indulgence.
  5. Everything Bagel: For a savory twist, sprinkle your bacon with everything bagel seasoning before baking. This adds a delicious crunch and savory flavor that pairs perfectly with eggs or avocado toast.

With these recipe variations, the possibilities are endless! Get creative and try out different flavor combinations to find your new favorite way to enjoy perfectly crispy brown sugar bacon.

platter of cooked brown sugar bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to bake or fry bacon?

In my opinion, baking bacon is a far superior cooking method than pan frying! I love this preparation method for many reasons.

Not only does it make clean-up a breeze, but the bacon cooks more evenly. It’s not cooking in its own grease, and that lingering bacon scent isn’t as strong.

Can I use a different type of sugar instead of brown sugar?

Absolutely! You can use granulated sugar or even maple syrup instead. Just keep in mind that the flavor and texture of the bacon may be different.

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

If you happen to have leftovers (a rare occasion with this dish!), you have a few options.

For the best results, let the bacon cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When it’s time to reheat from frozen, I recommend using the oven again. Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the bacon on a baking sheet lined with foil for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Alternatively, you can heat it up in the microwave for about 1 minute.

Like I said, my friends, give this decadent take on baked bacon a try; then come back and let me know what you think.

You’ve been warned. Enjoy!

how to bake bacon in the oven

Delicious Recipes to Pair with Your Bacon

I hope you’ll try this amazing brown sugar bacon. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Brown Sugar Baked Bacon | inspiredbycharm.com #IBCbreakfastweek

Baked Brown Sugar Bacon

This Brown Sugar Baked Bacon is hands down my favorite way prepare bacon! Not only does it add a touch of sweetness, but clean-up is a breeze! You’re going to love it.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bacon, baked bacon, breakfast
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 385kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon (I prefer applewood smoked)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Then, line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and place a metal cooling rack in the pan.
  • Place the bacon in a single layer on the cooling rack. Sprinkle with as much brown sugar as you’d like. A light dusting is perfect.
  • Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the bacon is done to the desired crispiness. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 506mg | Potassium: 174mg | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 28IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. Sounds mouthwatering … I think I just put on 10 lbs just reading the recipe !! This is a must make breakfast treat for sure !
    Thank you so much for sharing “all” of your wonderful ideas and your home and the many tips and recipes with us … You have such a delightful blog Michael, I am so very glad to have come across your website. Have yourself a happy day
    Jayne

  2. Oh boy! You had me at “bacon”. Seriously, looks like yet another of your great recipes to make. I love that you bake it in the oven. This is going to change everything! No more standing over a hot splattering skillet flipping those babies over and over to ensure perfection. Can’t wait to try on my family!

  3. I love bacon, and this sounds super easy and delish!

    Instead of foil that you throw away, I line my baking pans with parchment paper – then I can toss the grease and paper into the municipal compost!

    Keep on inspiring us with your charm, Michael!

  4. Aaaaand, my mouth is watering. Haha! Looks delicious. I can’t wait to see what other breakfast recipes await, my husband has a mild breakfast addiction, and I’d love to surprise him with something new! I’ll definitely try this the next time we do bacon.