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

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.

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 do you preserve 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.

What is maple bacon made of? ›

Maple bacon is simply bacon that's been glazed with maple syrup. It combines the smoky-salty taste of bacon with the smoky-sweet flavour of maple syrup for a decadent sweet and savoury breakfast.

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 go bad? ›

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 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.

How much sugar is in candied bacon? ›

Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 7g
13 more rows

Can you reheat candied bacon? ›

Can I reheat candied bacon? You can reheat candied bacon in the microwave or in the oven. In the microwave, place the bacon on a microwave-safe plate and heat for up to 60 seconds (40 is usually good for me). In the oven, place the bacon on a foil-lined baking sheet and heat on the broil setting for 2 minutes.

Where do you store 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.

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.

What is Irish bacon? ›

Unlike American bacon, Irish bacon is made from the back of the pig instead of the belly and is much leaner than streaky bacon. I used a presliced Irish bacon for this recipe but whole versions are available in British specialty shops. Most of the flavor in this dish comes from the bacon that you choose.

What is smoky bacon made of? ›

Once a pork belly has been cured, it's typically smoked and heated to about 130 degrees. This process adds the distinctive smoky taste that we have all come to love. It also helps to hold the red, cured color, and sure makes it easier for the bacon to be cleanly sliced.

What is lazy maple bacon? ›

Enjoy savory bacon with a hint of sweet maple with Maple Leaf® Lazy Maple® Natural Bacon. Made with natural ingredients, these gourmet maple bacon slices are made from our quality cuts of pork and perfectly seasoned with natural ingredients.

How long does sugar cured bacon last in the fridge? ›

Refrigerate immediately. Vacuum-packaged bacon will keep for 12 weeks in refrigerator, or up to 1 year in freezer. Once opened, use within 1 week.

How long does chocolate covered bacon last in the fridge? ›

To add an extra flavor boost, candy your bacon first, and then proceed to dip them in chocolate! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How long does homemade bacon jam last? ›

Bacon jam can be safely refrigerated for two to four weeks. Any amount that you keep in the fridge will need to be used within that length of time. You can store bacon jam in any refrigerator-safe container. Many bacon jam enthusiasts choose to use mason jars for aesthetic reasons.

Can I 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! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

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