Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (2024)

Posted On · Updated On

Coffee + Bacon + Brown Sugar + a dash of spice? How could anyone not love this candied bacon?

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Coffee, bacon, brown sugar, and a bit of spicy kick? This Espresso Candied Bacon recipe is bound to become one of your favorites.

I ended up creating this Espresso Candied Bacon recipe for my friend Brandy, who was having a bacon crisis. Turns out that's a thing. You should try it, because it's ridiculously good. And almost as ridiculous as a bacon crisis.

Brandy's (Kevin) Bacon Crisis:

My friend Brandy sent a a semi-desperate text a few weeks ago, with Alison from A Girl Defloured and me on the receiving end.

"Help! I need an Espresso flavored bacon recipe!"

When I inquired as to why, she responded:

"We're going to a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon party tomorrow!"

Obviously. Why didn't I guess that?

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (1)

Creating this coffee-laced bacon candy:

Brandy is a great cook, because she's great at following recipes. (She makes the best Pad Thai ever, from a recipe I sent her that she tweaked a bit.) So it made sense that she was hitting up her recipe-developing friends, because this wasn't one she wanted to fly solo on. I looked in the fridge: Wellshire Farms Applewood Bacon stared back at me. I went to work, measuring Espresso Powder (I like King Arthur brand, this is NOT the same thing as ground espresso, don't do that to yourself) and brown sugar got measured into a bowl, and I whipped out some candied bacon in no time flat. It was beautiful when it came out of the oven, and tasty too - but not good enough for Brandy to take to a party.

It needed a kick. I hit up the spice rack: California chili powder. Yup. That's what it needed.

I made a new batch, we ate it all, and I texted Brandy back with her custom-created Kevin Bacon party recipe.

They loved it. Of course they did. <3

Bacon Love - KC

Want more Candied Bacon Recipes? We can do that:

Brown Sugar Bacon: possibly the best bacon recipe ever.

Do you think it's possible to make bacon even more alluring? Well, it is. Try this delicious brown sugar bacon as soon with your next breakfast. For sobbing out loud, all you need to do is add a little brown sugar, and an (optional) pinch of chili powder. It's so easy!

Bacon's delicious saltiness combined with the perfect amount of sugar and a kick. It's frighteningly simple to make these candied bacon nibbles.

About Gluten In Bacon:

You'll see me (and other recipe developers) call for "gluten-free bacon" in our recipes. Then someone will ask if there's actually gluten in bacon. The answer is: sometimes, yes, there is.

Regular bacon is made from pork belly, spices, sugar and nitrates. Those ingredients, by themselves, are GF. However, some manufacturers add starches, fillers, or flavors that can contain gluten (like soy sauce). I've found that turkey bacon sometimes has gluten because there's fillers and flavors added. So, it's best to purchase bacon that is labeled gluten-free. My favorite brands arePedersen Farms,Applegate,Jones Dairy Farm, andWellshire Farms. You can also find nitrate-free bacon and sugar-free "Paleo" bacon, which are often labeled gluten-free as well.

One more gluten-in-bacon note: bacon at buffets is often laid on slices of bread to soak up the grease. Buffets can also be cross-contaminated with gluten in the kitchen or with shared serving utensils.

OK, let's make that bacon (candy)!

OK, you're ready to make gluten-free Espresso Candied Bacon! When you make a batch, snap a photo and tag me@gfreefoodie so I can see you bacon goodness. Try these too. And for my meal-prep fans, check out thisSheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Bacon recipe.

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (4)

Espresso Candied Bacon

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (5)K.C. Cornwell

Coffee, bacon, brown sugar, and a bit of spicy kick? This Espresso Candied Bacon recipe is bound to become one of your favorites.

4.96 from 22 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 8 pieces

Calories 174 kcal

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder or more, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder not ground espresso
  • 8 slices thick-cutgluten free bacon

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set a cooling rack inside the prepared pan and set aside.

  • In a shallow dish, combine the brown sugar, chili powder and espresso powder.

  • Dredge the bacon slices in the brown sugar mixture and arrange the bacon on the rack. Pat any remaining sugar mixture onto the bacon.

  • Bake in the preheated oven until crisp, about 20 minutes. Serve.

Notes

Cut the bacon strips in half or into squares for an appetizer.

Nutrition

Calories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 162mgPotassium: 105mgFiber: 1gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 191IUCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Bacon, candied bacon

Photos byAlycia Moreno, who is now a fan of candied bacon. She already liked Kevin Bacon.

Housewarming gift? Teacher thank you? Snack-in-a-jar? You be the judge.

Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (6)

You May Also Like

  • Brown Sugar Bacon - The Best Pig Candy Recipe To Try Now
  • The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
  • Traditional Sugar Plums Recipe | Real Sugar Plum Candy
Espresso Candied Bacon Recipe + Gluten-Free Bacon FAQs (2024)

FAQs

How long can candied bacon sit out? ›

The general rule of food safety is to not let raw meat or cooked food sit out for more than 2 hours, and that rule applies to uncooked or cooked bacon.

What is candied bacon made of? ›

What is Candied Bacon. Also known as Pig Candy, Candied Bacon is made by coating thick sliced of bacon in something sweet such as brown sugar, maple syrup, or caramel before baking until caramelized. It's fantastic crumbled on a salad or just served alongside a pint of your favorite beer.

How do you preserve candied bacon? ›

The best practice for storing candied bacon is to keep it in the refrigerator. Before storing, let the caramelized bacon cool to room temperature. This helps keep condensation at bay when the meat is stored in the fridge, ensuring your delectable bacon stays crisp and delicious.

Is candied bacon shelf stable? ›

When four days just won't cut it, freezing your candied bacon is an effective way to extend its shelf life to three months or longer.

Can I leave candied bacon out overnight? ›

Can candied bacon be left out? Candied bacon is perishable, so it should be stored in the refrigerator within 2 hours of making the recipe.

Can I refrigerate candied bacon? ›

The spicy candied bacon is perfect for nibbling on while watching TV or when I'm busy at work (I work from home!). Also, candied bacon can be left out and kept in the fridge for future use.

What ingredient to avoid in bacon? ›

Sodium nitrite, which is often used to flavor and color meat, has been linked to higher risks of developing colorectal cancer, as well as breast and prostate cancer. This product's packaging also gives zero information about the animals it's sourced from, such as what they were fed and how they were treated.

How much sugar is in candied bacon? ›

Did you love the recipe? Give us some stars and leave a comment below!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 7g
13 more rows

Can you reheat candied bacon? ›

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet. This is like candy – we love it! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

What is the history of candied bacon? ›

Candied bacon is believed to have first gained popularity in Washington, D.C.'s party circuit. But, as the Thompson speculates, most likely, 'pig candy' was an import to the nation's capital brought from the kitchen of some unknown Southern hostess.

How long does bacon last in a Ziploc? ›

Unopened bacon may last roughly two weeks in the fridge and eight months in the freezer. Once the package has been opened, as long as it is well stored in a sealed container, uncooked bacon is good for a week. Sealed in an airtight plastic bag in the freezer, the bacon could last for about a month.

Can bacon go rancid? ›

Smell: Any off or sour smells are a good indicator that the bacon isn't safe to eat. The only smell you should detect from bacon is a faint smokiness. Slime: If your bacon is slimy, it's a sure sign that bacteria are present and spreading on the meat. Toss it out!

How long does bacon last? ›

You can keep bacon in the refrigerator at 40 ºF or below for one week. Bacon can also be frozen at 0 ºF for four months (for best quality). For more information about bacon and storage of other bacon products, go to Bacon and Food Safety.

Does bacon expire? ›

If your bacon has a “sell by” date, use it within one week after the date listed, or freeze it for up to a month. On the other hand, a “use by” date (or “best if used by” date) indicates when a product passes peak quality. The USDA advises tossing bacon that has exceeded its “use by” date.

Is candied bacon good the next day? ›

Candied bacon can be kept in the fridge for a few days and reheats well in a skillet over low heat.

Do you need to reheat candied bacon? ›

When ready to eat, reheat individual slices in the microwave for a few seconds until warm or crisp, or briefly in the oven at 350°F (175°C) on a baking sheet. This is like candy – we love it! I use a thick sliced pepper bacon and it is so good!

Should chocolate covered bacon be refrigerated? ›

Place coated bacon on a sheet of waxed paper. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Why is pre-cooked bacon not refrigerated? ›

How is cooked bacon made shelf stable? To make bacon safe to store at room temperature (shelf stable), it is precooked in the plant to have a water activity at or below 0.85 to control Staphylococcus aureus. The cooked yield is 40% of the raw weight.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6370

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.