Extra-thick spiced brown bacon (Printable)

Thick bacon slices coated in spiced brown sugar, baked until crispy and caramelized for a flavorful treat.

# What You Need:

→ Bacon

01 - 8 slices extra-thick cut bacon

→ Brown Sugar Coating

02 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
03 - 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
04 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
02 - Lay bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack, ensuring space between each piece.
03 - In a small bowl, combine light brown sugar, cracked black pepper, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika.
04 - Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over both sides of each bacon slice, pressing gently to ensure adhesion.
05 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until bacon is crisp and deeply caramelized.
06 - Remove from oven and let bacon cool on the rack for 5 minutes to achieve maximum crispness.
07 - Serve warm or at room temperature as a snack or accompaniment.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The brown sugar melts and caramelizes into a crispy, sweet shell that tastes like dessert masquerading as breakfast.
  • No flipping, no babysitting—just line, season, and let the oven do the work while you pour your coffee.
  • It's fancy enough to impress houseguests but so easy that making it twice a week becomes tempting.
02 -
  • The wire rack is non-negotiable—without it, the bacon sits in rendered fat and steams instead of crisps, and all that work becomes disappointment.
  • Rotating the pan halfway through prevents the edges from burning while the middle stays pale. Every oven has hot spots, and this fixes them.
  • The bacon continues to crisp as it cools, so don't overcook it thinking it needs more time in the oven—you'll end up with something that shatters instead of bites.
03 -
  • If your bacon is slightly thawed instead of cold, pat it dry with a paper towel before seasoning—excess moisture interferes with the sugar's adhesion.
  • Increase the cayenne to a full half teaspoon if you like genuine heat, or skip it entirely if sweetness is your goal. There's no wrong answer here.
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