Easy Air Fryer Candied Bacon (Perfectly Crispy!)
Yes, you can make candied bacon in the air fryer! This easy recipe takes just a few ingredients. It’s an awesome Bloody Mary garnish!
We love bacon in my household! Over the years, I’ve shared some awesome bacon recipes like this Millionaire’s Bacon (baked with maple syrup), bacon jam (aka pig candy), Candied Bacon Baked Brie and Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts. Today, I’m so happy to share this Air Fryer Candied Bacon!
Bacon is definitely one of our favorite foods, although we typically limit it to the weekends. Frying your bacon strips in the air fryer is definitely a healthier option if you’re like us and only eat bacon as a special treat.
This sweet and salty treat is a wonderful addition to a charcuterie board, as a garnish for a Bloody Mary, or as the best part of your brunch spread with delicious Brioche French Toast. Or consider serve pairing this candied bacon with homemade Apple Fritters or Oat and Banana Muffins for a real treat!
Although I think maple syrup is one of the better ways to make candied bacon, I first tested this bacon recipe with maple syrup and it was a disaster!
The strips of bacon started to burn before they were cooked through. The second time I tested using just brown sugar, and it was a huge hit!
You may see recommendations to line your air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil, but I don’t recommend it! While doing this does make for easier cleanup, it limits the circulation of air that helps the bacon cook and keeps the bacon fat from dripping away from the bacon! Frying your bacon strips in the air fryer is definitely a healthier option because the grease is directed away while the bacon crisps.
Serving Suggestions:
I recommend serving this air fried bacon with Monte Cristo Pinwheels, Cinnamon Roll Casserole (Easy Breakfast Bake Recipe), or my Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board.
Add some protein to the mix with my Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole and something sweet with a classic scone recipe like these Buttermilk Scones or Blueberry Scones!
If you want to make your entire breakfast in the air fryer, check out these Glazed Air Fryer Donuts and Air Fryer Breakfast Potatoes!
While I know breakfast is probably the most likely meal for this recipe, it can also be used as an appetizer! Think about using this candied bacon as a topper for grilled brie or on a charcuterie board!
Substitutions:
- Use thick cut bacon instead of regular bacon
- Yes, you can use turkey bacon, but it will need less cooking time!
- Omit the cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you don’t like spicy food. But I think just a little bit of heat adds such amazing depth of flavor!
Easy Air Fryer Candied Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 pound center cut bacon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If your bacon has a lot of moisture, pat the bacon slices dry with a paper towel.
- Add brown sugar to a plate.
- Press each piece of bacon into the brown sugar, coating it entirely. Then, sprinkle the bacon slice with black pepper and cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Add bacon in a single layer to your air fryer basket or air fryer rack.
- Air fry for 5 minutes, then flip and fry for an additional 5 minutes or until the bacon is crispy to your liking.
- You may need to air fry several batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Remove cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate and allow to cool before serving.
