Maple Cayenne Bacon Recipes

MAPLE-PEPPER BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Arrange the bacon on a wire rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the fat starts rendering, about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and blot the bacon with paper towels on both sides.
• Combine the brown sugar, maple syrup and cayenne in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stirring, until smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Brush the bacon with half the syrup mixture and sprinkle with half the ground peppercorns. Bake until the bacon browns around the edges, about 15 minutes. Flip and blot the other side with paper towels, then brush with the remaining syrup mixture (reheat in the microwave, if necessary); sprinkle with the remaining peppercorns. Continue baking until the bacon browns and the sugar melts, 15 to 20 more minutes. Let cool slightly.

CAYENNE-CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a broiler pan with aluminum foil, and position broiler rack on top of pan. Lightly coat the rack with the vegetable oil.
• Combine the brown sugar and cayenne in a shallow dish, stirring to mix well. Press 1 side of each slice of bacon firmly into the spiced sugar to coat well. Arrange the slices of bacon on top of the broiler rack in a single layer, sugared-side up. If there is any sugar remaining in the dish, sprinkle it on top of the bacon slices evenly. Bake until the bacon is crisp and the sugar is bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain briefly, then to a plate or serving dish to cool. (Can be made several hours ahead) Serve warm or at room temperature.

MAPLE-CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy foil. Place a baking rack over the lined sheet tray and arrange the bacon slices across the rack next to each other, not overlapping.
• In a small bowl, whisk the maple syrup and mustard. Generously spoon over the top of the bacon, and bake 12 to 15 minutes. Turn the bacon over and baste with syrup mixture. Bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the bacon has reached desired crispiness.
• Carefully remove the pan from the oven. Sprinkle hot bacon with a scant pinch of finely ground black pepper. Let the bacon rest on the rack for 5 minutes.

MAPLE CANDIED BACON

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F.
• Wrap a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with a wire rack.
• In a large bowl, add the maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, Kosher salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
• Add the bacon to the bowl and toss gently with your hands. Make sure that all of the slices are evenly coated.
• Place the bacon in a single layer onto the wire rack.
• Bake in the center of the oven for about 20 minutes. The bacon will be a bit brown, but will most likely need to bake for another 10-15 minutes. It should look slightly dark (not burnt) and crispy. If you take it out too soon, the texture will be chewy. Be patient!
• Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes on the rack. Don't let them sit too long or else they will stick.
• Once cool enough to handle, you can break the bacon into chards (you'll have about 32 pieces). Alternatively, you can leave them whole.
• Serve at room temperature.