Brown Sugar Bourbon Candied Bacon Skewers

These Brown Sugar Bourbon Candied Bacon Skewers transform regular bacon into a gourmet treat that will tantalize your taste buds. A sweet caramelized brown sugar, smokey bacon, and a hint of boozy bourbon create the perfect sweet and savory combination.

Several candied bacon skewers standing upright in a copper mug on a white counter top with a bottle of bourbon and a white ramekin of brown sugar.

Who doesn't love a bit of candied bacon, or as I like to call it, "pig candy"? It's the ultimate add-on for your brunch table or as a nibble at family get-togethers. This recipe takes those bacon strips to the next level with a delicious coat of caramelized brown sugar and a hint of bourbon. Skewered for easy munching, these brown sugar bacon lollipops are perfect for anything from a laid-back brunch to your swankiest cocktail party.

Now, imagine bacon, but way more fun and fancy – that's bacon on a stick for you. It's like the ultimate finger food that's a cinch to handle and even more fun to enjoy. Mix in some sweet brown sugar and a splash of bourbon, and you've got yourself a no-stress, super-tasty treat.

You will be hooked once you've tasted that sweet, caramelized bacon with its irresistibly crispy edges. If you're anything like me and can't get enough of that bourbon-bacon combo, you'll love this Bourbon Bacon Jam Crostini Recipe.

Ingredients

Several slices of raw bacon on a piece of parchment paper, light brown sugar, ketchup, maple syrup, bourbon, and ground black pepper on a white counter top.

Bacon - I like to use thick-cut applewood smoked bacon for bourbon candied bacon. If using thin-cut bacon, you may need to reduce the cooking time and monitor the bacon while cooking to ensure it does not burn.
Bourbon - Bourbon and bacon are two ingredients that pair very well together. Use any brand of bourbon you prefer. I used Bulleit Bourbon for these candied bacon skewers, which worked wonderfully.
Light Brown Sugar - I use light instead of dark brown sugar as it is less likely to burn.
Maple Syrup - When choosing a maple syrup brand, select a brand that states "Grade A" dark maple syrup. A better quality maple syrup will almost always yield a better flavor.
Ketchup - Ketchup has natural sugars that caramelize and add a delicious savory layer to the bacon glaze.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper - Black pepper and bacon are a match made in heaven. Pepper is optional; however, I highly recommend it!

Suggested Equipment

How to Make Candied Bacon on a Stick

The Brown Sugar Bourbon Glaze

First, soak the wooden skewers in a large baking dish with one inch of water if using wooden skewers. Combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, bourbon, and ketchup in a small saucepan.
Bring the brown sugar bourbon glaze to a low simmer over low heat. Stir with a whisk for five minutes, just until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and set aside.

A metal sauce pan with light brown sugar, bourbon, maple syrup, ketchup, and ground black pepper on a white counter top.

A metal sauce pan with a brown sugar bourbon glaze on a white counter top.

Assembling The Bacon Skewers

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with tin foil or parchment paper and place an oven-proof wire rack on top. Once the skewers have soaked, pat them dry with a paper towel. Next, thread one strip of bacon onto each wooden skewer. Spread the folds of the bacon slices apart so they are not too close or overlapping in any one area. Lay each bacon skewer in a single layer on the wire rack.
Lightly brush the bourbon brown sugar glaze over the tops of each bacon skewer. Bake the glazed bacon skewers in the oven for ten minutes.

Ten raw bacon strips threaded onto wooden skewers resting on a large foil lined baking sheet.

Ten bacon skewers on a wire rack on a large baking sheet with the tops lightly brushed with a brown sugar bourbon glaze.

Caramelizing the Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon

Next, remove the bourbon-candied bacon from the oven and carefully turn each bacon skewer over. Brush the brown sugar glaze mixture onto the other side of each skewer and bake for another ten minutes.
After ten minutes, remove the candied bacon from the oven and turn the bacon over again. Continue baking the bacon skewers until they have reached the desired crispiness, checking on them every five minutes. Note: The time it will take to cook your bacon will depend on the thickness. Remove caramalized bacon skewers from the oven, allow the bacon to cool for three minutes, then remove them from the wire rack.

Several pieces of bourbon glazed bacon strips threaded onto wooden skewers and slightly cooked on a large baking sheet.

Five pieces of caramelized bacon on wooden sticks laying flat on a wire rack on a foil lined baking sheet.

Making Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon In Advance

Make the brown sugar bourbon glaze up to two days in advance. Store the maple bourbon mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.

To reheat, place the bacon on a large baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper (to prevent sticking) and heat for about 10 minutes or until it's warmed through and slightly crispy. This method is gentle and reduces the risk of burning the sugar.

Candied bacon on a stick standing upright on a counter with a bottle of bourbon in the background.

Recipe Tips

Soak Your Skewers: Wooden skewers are like tiny magic wands that turn regular bacon into fun stick snacks. But remember to give them a good soak in water for about 20 minutes before baking. Why? Because we want to prevent them from turning into mini torches in the oven. Safety first, party second!
Bacon Thickness Matters: Not all bacon is created equal, folks! The thickness of your bacon significantly affects how long it'll need to sizzle in the oven. Thinner slices cook up faster, while thick-cut bacon takes its sweet time. Keep an eye on your bacon and adjust the cooking time accordingly to avoid any crispy catastrophes.
Foil is Your Friend: Let's be honest – nobody likes cleaning up after a party. So, here's a lifesaver - line your baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Parchment paper is a secondary option as the bacon fat will soak through the paper, but you won't have a sugary mess. Once you're done, wrap up the foil and toss it. Easy-peasy!
Avoid the Sticky Situation: After your bacon has reached peak deliciousness in the oven, here's a pro tip: get them off the wire rack stat! Why rush? Because the caramelized brown sugar is a bit of a diva and loves to stick around, making your cleanup a sticky affair. Moving the skewers quickly saves you from a sugar-glued wire rack nightmare.
Beautiful Presentation: Stick the handle into a glass filled with rice. The rice will hold the skewers upright as they cool and make an impressive presentation. If candied bacon is allowed to cool completely on a wire rack, the sugar will stick to the metal and become difficult to remove.

Several candied bacon skewers on a white platter on a white counter top with a striped napkin and a ramekin of brown sugar and a small bowl of whole peppercorns.

Variations For Bourbon Candied Bacon

Add a pinch of your favorite spices, such as smoked paprika, chili powder, cinnamon, or cayenne pepper, for spicy candied bacon.
Add herbs such as rosemary or thyme for fresh flavor in this candied bacon appetizer.
Make chocolate-covered candied bacon. Once the maple bacon skewers have thoroughly cooled, dip the top half in melted chocolate for an extra indulgent treat.
Swap the bourbon for beer to make sweet and savory beer-candied bacon. Likewise, whiskey-candied bacon would be delicious if you do not have bourbon.
Drizzle some sweet balsamic glaze on the finished bacon skewers for a sweet and tangy twist.
Use the sweet maple bourbon glaze for ham.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon

Bloody Mary Upgrade: Stir your Bloody Mary with a skewer of candied bacon for a savory, sweet kick.
Salad Topper: Toss chopped candied bacon into salads for a delightful crunch and flavor contrast.
Brunch Side: Sprinkle candied bacon over omelets or pancakes for a sweet and savory brunch twist.
Charcuterie Board: Add bourbon-glazed bacon to your cheese board for an unexpected, delicious pairing.
Gourmet Burger: Crumble candied bacon on burgers for an extra layer of sweet and savory goodness.
Decadent Desserts: Garnish desserts like ice cream or brownies with pig candy for a salty-sweet surprise.

Three pieces of bourbon brown sugar bacon on wooden skewers standing upright on a white counter top.

What Kind of Bourbon Should I Use?

When selecting a bourbon for the bacon skewers, look for a bourbon with a smooth, well-rounded flavor. Bourbons with vanilla, caramel, and oak notes tend to pair well with the sweetness of brown sugar and maple.

You don't necessarily need an expensive, top-shelf bourbon for cooking, but avoid the cheapest options. A mid-range bourbon typically offers a good balance of quality and value. Buffalo Trace and Bulleit are two of my favorite brands that are reasonably priced and have great flavor for cooking.

Remember, the most essential part of choosing which bourbon to use is picking one you enjoy the taste of!

FAQ's

How do you serve bourbon brown sugar bacon?

Serve the skewers in a glass filled with rice to hold the skewers upright. Use the candied bacon as a garnish in a bloody mary. Chop the bourbon candied bacon and use it to top a salad or a baked potato. Add it to a bloody mary, a fancy addition to a charcuterie board, or even a burger.

Does candied bacon need to be refrigerated?

Like other meats, refrigerate the bourbon candied bacon in an airtight container even after cooking.

Can candied bacon be made in advance?

The brown sugar bourbon glaze can be made up to 2 days in advance if refrigerated in an airtight container. Additionally, if making the candied bacon skewers in advance, thread the bacon onto the skewers and store them refrigerated and covered with plastic wrap for up to 3 days before baking. If baking in advance, store in an airtight container and reheat at 300°Ffor 10 minutes on a foil-lined baking sheet.

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