Imagine bacon that's not just crispy, but gloriously glazed with a maple-sugar coating that transforms an ordinary breakfast staple into a mouthwatering delicacy. Our Air Fryer Maple Candied Bacon is the ultimate game-changer that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. This recipe takes just 25 minutes and promises a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crispy goodness that will make you the star of any meal or gathering.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Remove bacon from packaging and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve crispier results.
- In a shallow mixing bowl, combine maple syrup, brown sugar, and black pepper. Whisk together until the sugar is mostly dissolved and ingredients are well incorporated.
- Carefully dip each bacon slice into the maple mixture, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Allow excess syrup to drip off before placing in the air fryer.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even cooking and crispy texture.
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overlap. You may need to work in batches depending on your air fryer's size.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, pausing halfway through to flip the bacon and redistribute any accumulated syrup.
- Check bacon at 10 minutes for desired crispness. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on bacon thickness and air fryer model.
- Remove bacon when it reaches a deep golden brown color and appears caramelized. Place on a wire rack or parchment paper to cool and allow excess glaze to drip off.
- Let candied bacon rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the glaze to set and become slightly crisp.
- Serve warm as a sweet and savory appetizer, breakfast side, or crumble over salads and desserts.
Tips
- Always pat your bacon dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness and better syrup adherence.
- Use thick-cut bacon for the best texture and caramelization.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - cook in batches for even cooking.
- Watch the bacon closely in the last few minutes to prevent burning.
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the maple mixture.
- Use a wire rack or parchment paper when cooling to prevent the bacon from getting soggy.
- If you prefer less sweet bacon, reduce the maple syrup and brown sugar proportionally.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 45mg
