Traeger Smoked Spicy Candied Bacon is the easiest crowd-pleaser you are ever going to make. Much easier than pan-fried bacon, on any day of the week, this one is special enough for a Sunday full of company or a houseful of football fans invading your house for a game.
Smoked Spicy Candied Bacon
If you don’t have a pellet grill yet, you can make this candied bacon in the oven. I’ll include notes on the recipe to tell you how to adjust, but by the end of this, you might be searching for a Traeger!
I’ve been posting a lot of Traeger recipes lately. You’ve seen the Traeger Grilled Chicken, Traeger Grilled Chicken Kabobs, Traeger Grilled Chicken Wings, Traeger Grilled Pork Chops, and the Traeger Grilled Chicken Sandwich. We are a little obsessed. Traeger Prime Rib? YUP.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Crispy And Sticky – Sweet glaze with spicy edges that crunch.
- Grill Does The Work – No splatter or flipping bacon on a stovetop.
- Crowd Favorite – Every time. Every crowd.
- Easy Prep, Big Flavor – Just five ingredients and a baking sheet.
- Perfect For Brunch Or Snacks – Good hot, warm, or even room temp.
Check out my Ultimate Guide to Traeger Grills!
Candied Bacon Shopping List
Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Center-Cut Bacon – Less fat, more meat, and holds up better to the glaze without getting greasy.
- Dark Brown Sugar – Deep molasses flavor helps the glaze stick and caramelize.
- Real Maple Syrup – Smooth, natural sweetness that balances the spice.
- Sriracha Hot Sauce – Brings heat and a bit of tang.
- Cayenne Pepper – Adds that slow-building heat that sticks with each bite.
Try our Egg Bites with Sausage
How To Make Smoked Candied Bacon
This is just the overview so you can see what you’re actually getting into here. When you are cooking, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.
- Mix – Start these by mixing together the brown sugar, maple syrup, cayenne, and sriracha in a small bowl. On a parchment lined baking sheet, lay out your bacon in a single layer and brush on the sugar mixture generously on both sides of the bacon
- Preheat – Preheat to 300°F, close the lid, and let it preheat for 15 minutes. Once it is heated, we can put the bacon in!
- Smoke – Shut the lid and let it go for 20 minutes. Flip all of the bacon, shut the lid, and cook another 15 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked and the sugars are completely melted. Remember that it’ll cook a little more once you pull it, so watch it carefully those last 5ish minutes!
- Enjoy – Let cool and enjoy!
Make this Blueberry Breakfast Cake!
FAQ
Yes. Same temp and method apply. You’ll miss the smoke but still get the same sweet and spicy effect.
You can, but thinner cuts may overcook or burn with the sugar glaze. Watch it closely and adjust time if needed.
Let cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temp for a day, or in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven.
Yes. Dial back or skip the cayenne, or swap the sriracha for something milder like sweet chili sauce.
More Bacon Recipes
- Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Pork Cordon Bleu
- Traeger Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
- Bacon Ranch Smoked Cream Cheese
- Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Bites
- Halloween Smoked Bacon Jam Cream Cheese
- Ultimate Bacon Onion Smash Burger
- Blackstone Bacon Cheeseburger
Traeger Smoked Spicy Candied Bacon
What I Use
Ingredients
- 1 pound center-cut bacon
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- ½ cup real maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sriracha hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, hot sauce, and cayenne in a small bowl. Whisk together until combined.
- Preheat your Traeger to 300 degrees following the Traeger instructions.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the bacon out in a single layer, and generously brush both sides with the sugar mixture.
- Place the pans in the Traeger (or your oven), and cook for 20 minutes. Then flip the bacon to the other side, and cook for the remaining 15 minutes (or until the bacon looks cooked and the sugar is melted and delicious, your mileage may vary by 3-4 minutes either way.)
- Remove from the grill or oven and let cook for 10-15 minutes before removing from the pan to give the “candy” time to settle. Definitely do NOT place directly on paper towels, or you’ll have paper towel candied bacon and no one likes that.
Michelle
Saturday 26th of August 2023
Making a variation of this right now for our last home pre-season game! Go Chiefs❤️?
Nicole Johnson
Saturday 26th of August 2023
Awesome!! Let me know how it goes!!
Lonnie
Monday 4th of May 2020
We are making this bacon in about 15 minutes. Can't wait.