I’ve been on a bit of a habanero kick lately. Last week I made these peach habanero margs which were a huge hit, but I think this Maple Habanero Bacon might be my favorite secret spicy thing I’ve made in a while.
It took me a few tries to get the balance right here. The first time I tried to blend some syrup and peppers together but that ended up being too spicy. The bacon and sweetness was completely overwhelmed by straight up fire. So the right way to do it is to slowly infuse the maple syrup with habanero and then candy the bacon with that infused syrup.
The finished bacon is some addictive mix of slightly sweet candied maple bacon with just enough habanero fruity spice to it. It’s the kind of fancy bacon that an upscale brunch place would charge you $7 for and you can make it at home pretty easily!
You may have a little leftover syrup after you make the recipe and it’s good on savory breads and toasts!
- This recipe was updated August 3rd, 2019 to include new images and descriptions.
Maple Habanero Bacon
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 habanero peppers, halved
Instructions
- Add bacon to a baking sheet (lined with foil optionally) and bake bacon at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes. If you are using thicker bacon, add 5 minutes to the baking time.
- Meanwhile, add maple syrup and halved peppers to a small saucepan. Heat over low heat and simmer for a few minutes to infuse syrup with pepper flavor. Don’t heat too long or the syrup will reduce and get too thick. A few minutes is long enough.
- Remove syrup and let cool. When bacon has baked for 15 minutes, remove and brush liberally with the syrup.
- Return to the oven for 5-7 minutes to continue baking. Check bacon.
- Feel free to brush a second time with syrup and bake for a few minutes longer. You can also keep baking the bacon for even crispier bacon, but watch it closely as it can burn.
- Remove bacon and let cool on a few paper towels. Bacon will crisp up as it cools and the syrup candies on the bacon.
- Serve bacon as a side to almost any breakfast!
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Habanero Infused Maple Syrup
This is a pretty easy recipe to make. It only has three ingredients after all. To make the syrup just add some pure maple syrup (the real stuff) into a small pot with two halved habanero peppers. Leave the seeds in and everything. Don’t dice them up though or it’ll be too spicy.
Simmer that over low heat for a few minutes to infuse flavors. Don’t let it reduce too much though.
Maple Habanero Bacon
Meanwhile, bake your bacon on a sheet pan at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. I like to line my baking sheet with foil for easier cleanup.
Then brush on the syrup!
Return the bacon to the oven for another 5-7 minutes to candy the syrup on the bacon. You could repeat the process if you want. If you’re using thicker bacon, you’ll want to add a few minutes to the baking time.
Keep in mind that when the bacon is done, it’ll crisp up as it cools and the syrup hardens on it. Weirdly, this habanero bacon is better when it’s at room temperature. When it’s hot, the syrup isn’t hardened on it and it isn’t as crispy.
What to serve this sweet spicy perfection with? Anything really! But eggs, toast, and fruit are a good start.
Maple Habanero Bacon, people. You saw it here first!
Here are a few other great bacon recipes!
- Bacon and Spinach Baked Eggs
- Sonoran Hot Dogs
- Bacon Cornbread
- How to Make Candied Bacon from Simply Recipes
Karly
The sweet and spicy combo is the best! Would I have to share?!
Nick
Ha! I think I shared zero pieces of the batch I made over the course of a few days… :)
Lucy P.
I’m all over this one!