Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (2024)

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Coffee + Bacon + Brown Sugar + a dash of spice? How could anyone not love this candied bacon?

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Coffee, bacon, brown sugar, and a bit of spicy kick? This Espresso Candied Bacon recipe is bound to become one of your favorites.

I ended up creating this Espresso Candied Bacon recipe for my friend Brandy, who was having a bacon crisis. Turns out that's a thing. You should try it, because it's ridiculously good. And almost as ridiculous as a bacon crisis.

Brandy's (Kevin) Bacon Crisis:

My friend Brandy sent a a semi-desperate text a few weeks ago, with Alison from A Girl Defloured and me on the receiving end.

"Help! I need an Espresso flavored bacon recipe!"

When I inquired as to why, she responded:

"We're going to a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon party tomorrow!"

Obviously. Why didn't I guess that?

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (1)

Creating this coffee-laced bacon candy:

Brandy is a great cook, because she's great at following recipes. (She makes the best Pad Thai ever, from a recipe I sent her that she tweaked a bit.) So it made sense that she was hitting up her recipe-developing friends, because this wasn't one she wanted to fly solo on. I looked in the fridge: Wellshire Farms Applewood Bacon stared back at me. I went to work, measuring Espresso Powder (I like King Arthur brand, this is NOT the same thing as ground espresso, don't do that to yourself) and brown sugar got measured into a bowl, and I whipped out some candied bacon in no time flat. It was beautiful when it came out of the oven, and tasty too - but not good enough for Brandy to take to a party.

It needed a kick. I hit up the spice rack: California chili powder. Yup. That's what it needed.

I made a new batch, we ate it all, and I texted Brandy back with her custom-created Kevin Bacon party recipe.

They loved it. Of course they did. <3

Bacon Love - KC

Want more Candied Bacon Recipes? We can do that:

Brown Sugar Bacon: possibly the best bacon recipe ever.

Do you think it's possible to make bacon even more alluring? Well, it is. Try this delicious brown sugar bacon as soon with your next breakfast. For sobbing out loud, all you need to do is add a little brown sugar, and an (optional) pinch of chili powder. It's so easy!

Bacon's delicious saltiness combined with the perfect amount of sugar and a kick. It's frighteningly simple to make these candied bacon nibbles.

About Gluten In Bacon:

You'll see me (and other recipe developers) call for "gluten-free bacon" in our recipes. Then someone will ask if there's actually gluten in bacon. The answer is: sometimes, yes, there is.

Regular bacon is made from pork belly, spices, sugar and nitrates. Those ingredients, by themselves, are GF. However, some manufacturers add starches, fillers, or flavors that can contain gluten (like soy sauce). I've found that turkey bacon sometimes has gluten because there's fillers and flavors added. So, it's best to purchase bacon that is labeled gluten-free. My favorite brands arePedersen Farms,Applegate,Jones Dairy Farm, andWellshire Farms. You can also find nitrate-free bacon and sugar-free "Paleo" bacon, which are often labeled gluten-free as well.

One more gluten-in-bacon note: bacon at buffets is often laid on slices of bread to soak up the grease. Buffets can also be cross-contaminated with gluten in the kitchen or with shared serving utensils.

OK, let's make that bacon (candy)!

OK, you're ready to make gluten-free Espresso Candied Bacon! When you make a batch, snap a photo and tag me@gfreefoodie so I can see you bacon goodness. Try these too. And for my meal-prep fans, check out thisSheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Bacon recipe.

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (4)

Espresso Candied Bacon

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (5)K.C. Cornwell

Coffee, bacon, brown sugar, and a bit of spicy kick? This Espresso Candied Bacon recipe is bound to become one of your favorites.

4.96 from 22 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 pieces

Calories 174 kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder or more, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder not ground espresso
  • 8 slices thick-cutgluten free bacon

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set a cooling rack inside the prepared pan and set aside.

  • In a shallow dish, combine the brown sugar, chili powder and espresso powder.

  • Dredge the bacon slices in the brown sugar mixture and arrange the bacon on the rack. Pat any remaining sugar mixture onto the bacon.

  • Bake in the preheated oven until crisp, about 20 minutes. Serve.

Notes

Cut the bacon strips in half or into squares for an appetizer.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 162mgPotassium: 105mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 191IUCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Bacon, candied bacon

Photos byAlycia Moreno, who is now a fan of candied bacon. She already liked Kevin Bacon.

Housewarming gift? Teacher thank you? Snack-in-a-jar? You be the judge.

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (6)

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Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (2024)

FAQs

What is candied bacon made of? ›

What is Candied Bacon. Also known as Pig Candy, Candied Bacon is made by coating thick sliced of bacon in something sweet such as brown sugar, maple syrup, or caramel before baking until caramelized. It's fantastic crumbled on a salad or just served alongside a pint of your favorite beer.

How long will candied bacon last? ›

You can store the cooked candied bacon in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Store it in an airtight container, such as a large zipper bag or plastic container with a lid. To reheat bacon in the microwave, place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds.

How do you preserve candied bacon? ›

Candied Bacon Holds Up Well In The Freezer

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer. Immediately after cooling, wrap portions in plastic wrap and then in foil, ensuring a tight seal.

Can you reheat candied bacon? ›

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet. This is like candy – we love it!

What ingredient to avoid in bacon? ›

The health risk of bacon is largely to do with two food additives: potassium nitrate (also known as saltpetre) and sodium nitrite. It is these that give salamis, bacons and cooked hams their alluring pink colour.

Where is candied bacon from? ›

Candied Bacon, also known as Pig Candy, originally gained popularity in Washington D.C. from what I can tell. It was served to patrons as an alternative bar food snack and from there the bacon spread. It has a generous amount of brown sugar and maple syrup to give it is 'candied' taste and appearance.

Does candied bacon go bad? ›

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer. Immediately after cooling, wrap portions in plastic wrap and then in foil, ensuring a tight seal.

Do I need to refrigerate candied bacon? ›

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator. Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious.

Does candied bacon need refrigeration? ›

Much like traditional bacon, it is best to store candied bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. While regular cooked bacon lasts only four to five days when stored in the fridge, candied bacon will last a little bit longer — up to three weeks.

What is the history of candied bacon? ›

Bacon candy is believed to have first gained popularity in Washington, D.C.'s party circuit. But Thompson speculates that pig candy was most likely an import to the nation's capital brought from the kitchen of an unknown Southern hostess.

Can I freeze candied bacon? ›

Layer it between sheets of wax paper or parchment paper to keep it all from sticking together. You can also freeze candied bacon. Leftovers can be placed in the freezer for up to 6 months if wrapped and separated with parchment paper, then placed in an airtight, freezer-friendly container.

Why is my candied bacon not crispy? ›

If it is not golden brown and fairly crispy, resist the temptation to turn up the oven temperature, and cook it for 10 to 15 minutes longer. Check it again. Keep in mind that when you remove the tray and transfer the bacon to a serving platter or individual plates, the bacon will "crisp" up a little more. Be patient!

Can candied bacon be stored at room temperature? ›

You can make Candied Bacon several hours ahead — just keep it at room temperature in a serving dish. You can also make it a day ahead and store it in an airtight container at room temperature (no need to refrigerate); the bacon will probably be less crisp, however.

What happens if you dont reheat bacon properly? ›

Bacon is typically cured with salt, sugar, and other preservatives, which help to prevent bacteria growth. Heating Bacon will not kill any bacteria, so it's essential to ensure that it is cooked thoroughly before eating it. So avoid heating it more than once.

Are fake bacon bits made of? ›

A blend of textured soy flour, hydrogenated vegetable oil, salt, natural and artificial flavours, vitamins, and minerals that add a hickory smoked bacon taste and texture to a variety of hot and cold dishes.

Is sugar cured bacon smoked? ›

Rosemary Sugar Cured Bacon is a gourmet homemade smoked bacon that is at once subtle and fragrant, while also being the best dang thing you have ever put in your mouth.

Why is bacon cured with sugar? ›

In a normal curing process, a packet of nitrite is added to the brine, which is then injected into the meat. Sugar is often in this mix to “add” flavor; however, some say it can also aid in acting as an additional preservative. Sugar is also used to counter the salt, which tends to dry out the meat.

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