Who doesn’t like bacon, have you ever heard about air fryer brown sugar candied bacon. It combines the irresistible flavors of sweet and savory in a delectable snack or appetizer.
Using an air fryer not only simplifies the cooking process but also ensures a crispy and evenly cooked result. Sweet texture often attracts kids, as it just acts like a treat. So, for toddlers that are picky eaters, candied bacon is a great choice. Even my younger ones like to have them at weekends.
Candied bacon tastes like crunchy candies and are equally appealing for small and young ones. They are sweeter than other bacon alternatives just like twisted bacon and frozen bacon in the air fryer. And cooking is as easy as a breeze. You just need bacon strips, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. You can also use honey maple syrup as an alternative to brown sugar.
How To Cook Air Fryer Candied Bacon
Ingredients
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1 pound Bacon Strips
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
Pinch of salt and black pepper
Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Step-By-Step Guide
In today’s recipe, I will guide you through the ingredients, steps, and tips to make delicious, candied bacon in an air fryer.
Step-1: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon. Stir the mixture well.
Step-2: Using a brush, evenly spread the sugar mixture on both sides of each bacon slice. You can also use your clean hands and rub the mixture.
Step-3: Now start preheating your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 minutes.
Step-4: Place the coated bacon strips in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of crispiness.
Once ready, allow it to rest for 3-4 minutes in air fryer, then sprinkle some salt and black pepper on it.
Tips & Notes For Air Fryer Candied Bacon
1- Cooking time can vary according to your air fryer mode and the thickness of bacon strips. Thick-cut bacon will take slightly more time than standard-cut bacon.
2- I would recommend lining up your air fryer basket with parchment paper with small holes, so cleaning up is easier and small holes allow the air to smoothly flow around the bacon strips.
3- After air frying, do not immediately lay them on paper towels, otherwise, the caramelized sugar will attach to the paper towel and your candied bacon will end up with white flecks.
Additional Variations for Candied Bacon
You can mix and match any of the below ingredients to make an interesting combination:
Maple syrup
Chili flakes
Cayenne pepper
Black pepper
White pepper
Honey
Dried Herbs
Sriracha
What To Serve With Air Fryer Candied Bacon?
Storage & Reheating
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in a zip lock bag in your refrigerator. Once the bacon has finished cooking, allow it to cool to room temperature. Wrap each piece in aluminum foil and place them in a zip lock container. You can also reheat them in an air fryer, microwave, or oven. I like to use an air fryer as it is the most effective method to crisp up bacon once again.
How can I prevent the sugar mixture from burning during air frying?
To prevent sugar from burning in the air fryer, cook bacon at a lower temperature. Maintain an appropriate temperature as sugars typically start to burn at higher temperatures above 360 F. Keep your air fryer temperature below this point to minimize the risk of burning. Secondly, shake the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and prevent the sugar mixture from sticking to the basket and burning.
Can I use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon for this recipe?
Yes, you can use turkey bacon as well. In fact, I love to use turkey and beef bacon. It has less fat and more leaner and cooks faster than beef bacon.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1 lb. Bacon Strips
- 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Take a small bowl and add brown sugar, maple syrup and ground cinnamon. Mix the mixture well.
- Take a brush or a spoon, evenly spread the sugar mixture on both sides of each bacon stips.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 minutes.
- Place the coated bacon strips in air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes, or your desired level of crispiness is achieved.
Nutrition
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