Pumpkin Spice Bacon - This easy recipe transforms thick-cut bacon with pure maple syrup and pumpkin pie spices into irresistible bacon candy! Using simple ingredients and a wire rack, this pumpkin spice candied bacon delivers perfectly crispy results every time.
Why We Love This!
Cooking bacon in the oven is always the best way to achieve even cooking and consistent texture. Christine and I developed this recipe in our Colorado kitchen, and it's become our go-to for fall brunches and holiday gatherings. The combination of sweet pure maple syrup and warm pumpkin pie spices creates an addictive sweet-savory treat that will blow your taste buds away.
This incredibly versatile recipe works as a side dish for breakfast, a Halloween treat, crumbled as bacon bits for fall salads, or simply as an indulgent snack. The perfect way to cook bacon is on a wire rack set over a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil - this ensures even cooking without the bacon sitting in its own grease while making cleanup effortless.
Other Great Recipes For You To Try
When you're ready to explore more seasonal recipes, try our pumpkin spice whoopie pies or oat milk pumpkin spice creamer. You could also crumble this bacon as a delicious autumn add-on for fall salads, like our apple barley harvest salad!
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What You're Going to Need!
This easy recipe relies on high quality simple ingredients for the best results. The importance of choosing high quality ingredients cannot be overstated - pure maple syrup and thick-cut lean bacon make all the difference.
- Thick-Cut Bacon - Choose high-quality bacon that's lean, not too fatty; this ensures proper crisping without excessive greasiness.
- Pure Maple Syrup - Never use artificial or pancake syrup; the real thing provides authentic flavor and proper caramelization.
- Pumpkin Pie Spices - We prefer Trader Joe's spice blend, but you can make your own with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and clove. The stuff in the generic grocery store cans is almost always kind of old and stale.
See recipe card for quantities.
Recipe
Indulgent Maple Pumpkin Pie Spice Bacon Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat oven to 375F
- Line bottom of sheet pan with aluminum foil and place rack inside.
- Lay bacon slices in a single layer on wire rack.
- Using pastry brush, brush a coating on each side of the bacon strips.
- Evenly coat one side of each slice with the spice blend.
- Place pan into oven and cook for 20 to 35 minutes.
- Check the bacon after 20 minutes, cook until desired doneness. Keep in mind that the bacon will get crispier as it rests after cooking. The finished product should be well browned and beginning to get firm at the ends.
Nutrition
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Let us know how it was!How to Make Pumpkin Spice Candied Bacon
- Arrange bacon. Place bacon strips in a single layer on the wire rack above an aluminum foil lined sheet pan
- Brush with maple syrup. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the maple syrup over each bacon strip, flipping to get both sides. Doing this first makes a nice "glue" for the spices to stick to.
- Apply spices evenly. Sprinkle pumpkin pie spices over the syrup coated bacon. Making sure to sprinkle the seasoning on evenly is important - use your fingers or a small sieve well above the bacon, "making it rain" the dry ingredients uniformly across the strips.
- Bake to perfection. cook the bacon 15 to 20 minutes in a 375F oven, checking at the 15 minute mark. It should be deeply caramelized and lightly crispy but not burnt. It will crisp up perfectly as it cools on the wire rack for about 5 minutes before serving.
Chef Tips
Using a wire baking rack so that the bacon will cook evenly and without siting in its own grease is the secret to restaurant-quality bacon candy. The elevated position allows heat to circulate completely around each strip, creating consistent texture throughout.
Lining the pan with aluminum foil helps make cleanup easy - simply let the pan cool, emove the rack, and discard the foil with all the drippings. No hard scrubbing required!
The key to perfect pumpkin spice bacon is applying the pure maple syrup first, then the spices. This two-step process ensures the pumpkin pie spices stick properly rather than falling through the wire rack onto the pan.
Variations & Uses
This versatile pumpkin spice candied bacon adapts to countless serving situations and flavor variations.
Spice Blend Options: If you don't have Trader Joe's or another high quality pumpkin spice blend, make your own with 2 tablespoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ginger, 1 teaspoon nutmeg, and ½ teaspoon nutmeg (all dried and powdered, of course). Mix the ingredients together and store in a labeled airtight container.
Serving Suggestions:
- Side Dish - Serve alongside pancakes, waffles, or French toast for an elevated breakfast
- Halloween Treat - Perfect for fall parties and Halloween gatherings
- Bacon Bits - Crumble cooked bacon over fall salads, roasted vegetables, or soup
- Dessert Topping - Crumble over ice cream, cupcakes, or pumpkin pie
Sweetness Adjustments: For less sweet bacon candy, use less pure maple syrup. For extra indulgence, add a dusting of light brown sugar along with the pumpkin pie spices.
Storage & Helpful Hints
Store cooled pumpkin spice candied bacon in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The bacon will soften slightly in storage but remains delicious. For crispier texture, reheat briefly in a 350F oven for 3-5 minutes.
Cooking bacon in the oven eliminates the splatter and uneven cooking of stovetop methods.
Choose the best quality thick-cut bacon you can find with consistent thickness and good fat to lean ratio.
Always use pure maple syrup rather than imitation. The real thing is more expensive, but nothing matches the authentic flavor and caramelization that it provides.
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FAQ
Absolutely! This works great as make ahead bacon candy. Store in an airtight container and gently reheat before serving if desired.
Make your own blend with the spices in the variations section, or use just cinnamon for a simpler version that's still delicious.
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