Extra-thick spiced brown sugar bacon (Printable)

Extra-thick bacon baked with spiced brown sugar for irresistible caramelized crispiness.

# What You Need:

→ Bacon

01 - 8 slices extra-thick cut bacon

→ Brown Sugar Coating

02 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
04 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
02 - Place the bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack, ensuring space between each slice.
03 - Combine the brown sugar, cracked black pepper, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika in a small bowl.
04 - Generously sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over both sides of each bacon slice, pressing lightly to adhere.
05 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking, until the bacon is deeply caramelized and crisp.
06 - Remove from oven and allow bacon to cool on the rack for 5 minutes to finish crisping.
07 - Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No fussing over a skillet: Oven-baked means you can make a full batch without babysitting grease splatters.
  • The sweet-spicy balance is addictive: Brown sugar caramelizes into something almost candied, while the pepper and paprika keep it from feeling like dessert.
  • It tastes way more impressive than the effort: Five minutes of prep, 35 minutes of baking, and suddenly you're the person who knows about things.
02 -
  • Don't skip the wire rack: Baking bacon on a bare pan means the bottom steams instead of crisps—the rack is non-negotiable.
  • Rotate the pan halfway through: Oven heat is never perfectly even, so that halfway turn keeps the bacon from browning unevenly.
  • Let it cool completely for maximum crunch: Even if you're hungry, those five minutes matter—the bacon continues to firm up as it cools.
03 -
  • Buy bacon that's actually thick-cut: Standard bacon shrinks into whispers; thick-cut stays substantial and lets the coating shine.
  • Pack your brown sugar before measuring: Loose brown sugar throws off the coating ratio and results in patchy caramelization.
  • The spice combination creates a savory-sweet depth that keeps people guessing: Smoked paprika is optional, but it's the secret that makes this feel intentional rather than simple.
Go Back