Million Dollar Bacon
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Million Dollar Bacon tastes so good, you'll think it's worth a million bucks! Bacon strips are baked in the oven with brown sugar and spices to make crispy, candied bacon that tastes out of this world!
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Why You'll Love It
- candied bacon is sweet, salty, spicy and outrageously good!
- great snack or breakfast and brunch treat
- can be customized any way you like
- great for brunch, tailgating, parties and gifts
- perfect Bloody Mary garnish!
Recipe Spotlight
Whether you call it billionaire bacon, pig candy, or Snoop Dogg bacon, you won't be able to stop eating this sweet and spicy candied bacon recipe. You'll flip when you take your first bite!
It's rumored that millionaire bacon recipe got its name because it's so good you'd pay a million dollars to take a bite. You can find it on the menu at the First Watch restaurant, or featured on TV shows like the Food Network and the Today Show.
The recording artist, Snoop Dogg, made his famous version of Billionaire's Bacon by adding red pepper flakes to the recipe.
The best part is you don't have to search for this delicious Million Dollar Bacon recipe any further! It's right here for you to make at home, or give as hostess gifts at your next party!
Equipment Needed
This is an easy recipe that can be made without a lot of equipment, but these items will make your life easier. (affiliate links)
Ingredients
See recipe card for quantities.
- thin cut bacon - if you like chewy slices, use the thick-cut version
- steak seasoning - includes pepper, salt and garlic (or simply use black pepper)
- brown sugar - the ingredient that creates bacon candy
- red pepper flakes - use if you like a bit of spice (can substitute cayenne pepper)
How to Make Million Dollar Bacon
This is my new favorite way to make bacon in the oven! There's no excess grease splashing in your face or all over the stove which is a very good thing.
I've tested this recipe many times and had better results using thin-cut slices instead of the thick-cut variety. If you like your slices crispy, the thinner the better. If you're into floppy and chewy slices, go for the thicker version.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Place strips of bacon on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle with steak seasoning (or black pepper) and red pepper flakes.
- Bake about 20 to 25 minutes until slices are crispy and firm.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with a generous amount of the sugar.
- Bake about 5 more minutes until brown sugar caramelizes and hardens.
- Remove slices from oven and transfer each one to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.
Tips and Tricks
1
Use really good bacon that is thinly sliced. Thick cut bacon tends to be chewy.
2
Arrange slices in a single layer on a sheet pan or large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3
Cook the slices first so it will be crispy before sprinkling on the sugar.
4
Use a cooling rack for cooked slices instead of a paper towel so it won't be soggy.
Recipe FAQS
Yes, it can be made up to one day in advance and stored on a rack without covering. Once it's covered or refrigerated, moisture becomes a factor and causes the crispiness to break down. Since it's perishable, bacon should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
This recipe will last up to 3 days in the refrigerator if wrapped well. After that, the moisture causes it to become syrupy and lose some of its flavor.
After it's stored in the refrigerator, it will need to be put back in the oven at 350 degrees to crisp it up again. Sometimes it needs to be broiled for a few minutes. Watch it carefully because the brown sugar can scorch if cooked too long.
The best part of the recipe is that you don't have to flip it over! When cooking it in the oven, it crisps up and gets crunchy without turning. Once the brown sugar is added, it makes a crunchy crust that hardens when cooled.
Variations
- Use a homemade spice mixture instead of steak seasoning or pepper.
- Add a real maple syrup drizzle or hot honey over slices before baking.
- Make it in your air fryer basket instead of the oven.
- Add hot spice or cayenne pepper if you like things spicy.
- Omit the red pepper flakes if you dislike a little heat.
- Sprinkle bacon with ground ginger or cinnamon for a different flavor.
- Garnish with dried parsley, rosemary or thyme
What to Serve with Million Dollar Bacon
The sky's the limit when serving sides that taste great with oven baked bacon. Try it with a Meat Lover's Quiche or a Loaded Hash Brown Casserole. It's irresistible if you dunk it in a Bloody Mary or crumbled into Fire Roasted Tomato Soup!
I love adding strips of candied bacon on top of a Caprese Sandwich or a Carolina Burger. It also elevates the flavor of Southern Tomato Pie and a heaping bowl of Yellow Eye Beans.
You'll want to top all of your salads with this crumbled delight, or make a bunch for your next party and serve it as a finger food!
But, my favorite way to eat it is on two slices of sourdough bread with gouda cheese, slices of garden tomato, and crispy lettuce on a homemade BLT sandwich!
Storage and Freezing
Store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a 350 degree oven until crispy.
Millionaire's Bacon can be frozen after it's cooked and cooled. Wrap it well in aluminum foil, then place in an airtight container and freeze up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and crisp in a 350 degree oven until warmed throughout.
Related Recipes
Are you a bacon lover? Satisfy your cravings with these other delicious bacon recipes...
- Candied Bacon Pecans - sweet and sassy pecans with lots of flavor
- Bacon Apricot Cheese Spread - a perfect appetizer for holiday parties
- Collard Greens with Bacon - southern side made the old fashioned way
- Ultimate Twice Baked Potatoes - loaded with all the good stuff
- Bacon Black Bean Soup - perfect soup for chilly nights
- Southern Shrimp and Grits - made with barbecue sauce and cheesy grits!
Recipe Card
Million Dollar Bacon
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- 1 parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 pound thin-cut regular bacon
- 1 teaspoon steak seasoning (or ground black pepper)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (less if you don't like spicy food)
- ½ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place strips of regular bacon on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
- Divide seasoning amongst the 16 slices of bacon. Sprinkle each slice of bacon with steak seasoning (or black pepper) and red pepper flakes.
- Bake about 20 to 25 minutes until slices are crispy and firm.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle each slice of bacon with a generous amount of brown sugar.
- Bake about 5 more minutes until brown sugar caramelizes and hardens.
- Remove slices from oven and transfer each one to a wire rack with kitchen tongs to cool for 15 minutes.
Notes
- Recipe serves 8 people a total of 2 slices each.
- Use a good brand of bacon that is thinly sliced. Thick cut bacon tends to be chewy. If you like chewy bacon, go for the thick slices, but you may need extra cooking time. Also, thick cut will yield less servings and contain more calories.
- Store leftover slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a 350 degree oven until crispy.
- Millionaire's Bacon can be frozen after it's cooked and cooled. Wrap it well in aluminum foil, then place in an airtight container and freeze up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and crisp in a 350 degree oven until warmed throughout.
- View the Google Web Story for Million Dollar Bacon!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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I've made this bacon candy recipe before and it's addictive. You're right about using the thin slices of bacon. They are much more crispy than the thick ones.
I can’t wait to try this! I could almost smell it looking at the picture!
Yay! You're gonna love this bacon candy!
Debi this looks amazing! I bet it's delicious in an adult grilled cheese.
Million Dollar bacon is off the chain delicious! I had never heard of it until I saw your recipe for it. I found your site from a linked post on Southern Plate. I am enjoying your recipes!
Hi Teresa! So happy you found me...and found my recipe for Million Dollar Bacon! It's definitely one of my favorites and something we make often on the weekends. Thanks so much for saying 'hi' and giving me such a great review! 🙂
My second time making and reviewing Million Dollar bacon but wanted to share how I served this at our Christmas Eve gathering. To a 6 oz wheel of Brie cheese I added equal parts chopped, toasted pecans and chopped (cooked) million dollar bacon on top and baked in my small cast iron skillet; served with apple slices. Everyone loved it and there wasn’t a crumb left!
Wow! This sounds absolutely delicious! I love how you took a great recipe and turned it into something even better! 🙂