Caramelized Smoked Bacon (Candied Bacon)

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Caramelized Smoked Bacon, or Smoked Candied Bacon is one of life’s greatest treats! It’s premium bacon caramelized to perfection with a sweet brown sugar glaze and infused with a smokey essence. Is it bacon or candy? No one knows for sure, but it certainly is delicious!

This caramelized smoked bacon recipe creates the ultimate fusion of flavors – a gourmet delight that transforms traditional bacon into a luxurious treat.

This enticing appetizer combines the savory essence of perfectly smoked bacon with a sweet, caramelized coating – creating a crunchy, almost candy-like consistency that’s a joy to bite into.

Whether enjoyed as a standalone snack, a unique appetizer, or an extraordinary addition to your favorite dishes, caramelized smoked bacon promises to up-level any spread with it’s mouthwatering appeal.

What Type Of Bacon Do You Use For Smoked Bacon?

The best kind of bacon to use are thinly sliced, uncured strips of bacon. If it’s too thick, it won’t be rigid and crispy when it finishes smoking. Also, thin strips are best for absorbing that glaze flavor as it cooks.

What Type Of Wood Is Best For Smoked Bacon?

Applewood is the best for this bacon recipe because of it’s light, slightly fruity smoke flavor. We’ll be using applewood pellets in our Traeger smoker to produce the most irresistible applewood smoked bacon you’ve ever had.

The Ingredients for Caramelized Smoked Bacon

• 1 package Thin Cut Bacon
• Bacon Glaze
  • 3 tablespoons Grandma’s Molasses
  • 1/3 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/3 cup White Sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 4 tablespoons Coarse Black Pepper
  • 4 tablespoons Woodinville Whiskey (optional, sub water if desired)

The Equipment Needed

• Traeger Ironwood Wood Pellet Grill (or any other quality smoker)
• Sauce Pan
• Grilling Rack

How To Make Caramelized Smoked Bacon

This caramelized bacon treat is really easy to make.

Start by laying out all of your bacon flat on a grilling rack – making sure not to overlap the strips.

Then you take your glaze and baste the bacon strips and then smoke them.

Craft Your Bacon Glaze

Combine all of your bacon glaze ingredients into your sauce pan.

On low heat, stir all of the components until it reaches a low simmer & everything melts and is fully incorporated together.

Remove from heat and using a food brush, liberally glaze both sides of your bacon strips on your grilling rack and let it all marinate for about 5 minutes.

Smoking Your Bacon

Fire up your smoker grill to 300°F.

Place your glazed bacon strips onto the grill and let them smoke for about 15-18 minutes. (Baste them with the glaze once at around the 10 minute mark.)

Then flip your bacon once, glaze again and let them smoke for another 14-16 minutes. Watch your bacon closely, though, as they may start to burn if your grill temperature fluctuates.

Once they are done smoking, remove them from the grill and place them on a cooling rack for about 3-4 minutes – and then serve!

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