Pumpkin Spice Chipotle Candied Bacon will have you skipping the lattes in favor of swine’s tastiest treat with smoky, warm, sweet, slightly spicy flavors. This candied bacon packs all of the textures you crave, sticky, chewy, with just the right amount of crunch. Serve it up at your next brunch, make it a part of a charcuterie board, or add it to your weekend Bloody Mary along with pickled dilly beans. This versatile recipe will be your new favorite fall bite.
I might not be a pumpkin spice latte girlie, but I love all of the warm spices in pumpkin spice. Cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, it’s completely like autumn in a bottle. These warm spices, combined with smoky and slightly spicy chipotle powder perfectly compliment the saltiness of bacon. With maple syrup bringing just the right amount of sweetness, and buttery pecans adding additional crunch, this spicy maple candied bacon really has it all!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy Process – There is nothing complicated about making this maple pumpkin spice candied bacon. It requires just a few simple ingredients and only a couple of steps. Mix together the spiced maple syrup, baste the bacon, and let the oven do all the work. Anyone can make this!
- Make Ahead – Not only can you make this bacon a day or two in advance, but the texture actually gets better because it firms up as it sits.
- Balance of Flavors – Don’t be scared of the pumpkin spice in this! It’s not just for pies, cookies, and cupcakes. If you love the warmth of spices like Chinese five spice, you’ll love what pumpkin spice does for savory food.
Ingredients
- Bacon – Thick cut bacon really works best for a recipe like this. It’s going to give you the best chew and bite.
- Maple Syrup – Only pure maple syrup here, not the stuff in the squeeze bottle. Pure maple syrup will add delicate sweetness without being cloyingly sweet. It also won’t burn like breakfast syrup. I actually used a pumpkin spice infused maple syrup for this recipe. Bourbon barrel maple syrup would also be delicious.
- Pumpkin Spice – Every pumpkin spice blend will be a little different, but the core spices are usually cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg. The one I used also had orange zest in it for a citrusy note.
- Chipotle Powder – You can control the heat by the amount of chipotle powder you add. With 1/4 teaspoon it will add additional smokiness to the maple candied bacon, but not much heat. Half a teaspoon and you will get that sassy back note of smoked jalapeno.
- Dijon Mustard – This gives just a little tang and bite that cuts through the richness of the bacon and balances the sweetness of the maple syrup.
- Black Pepper – Pepper and bacon just belong together. This gives a bold bite to the bacon without making it spicy.
- Pecans – This step is completely optional but gives incredible texture to every bite. Use unsalted pecans if possible but if all you have is salted that still works fine.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Chipotle Candied Bacon
- Preheat your oven and prepare your pan. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line a large sheet pan with either parchment paper or foil. This bacon will get messy and sticky as it bakes. Fit a baking rack into the pan.
- Mix together the glaze. Add the maple syrup, Dijon, and spices to a small bowl and whisk to fully combine.
- Lay out the bacon on the baking rack. It’s okay if the bacon is close to each other but make sure they don’t overlap.
- Glaze the bacon. Use a silicone brush to baste the top of the bacon.
- Bake for 15 minutes. The fat will begin to render, and you’ll see the bacon start to shrink.
- Flip the bacon and glaze the other side. Use tongs to flip the bacon over and then baste the second side of the bacon. Sprinkle the finely chopped pecans over the top.
- Bake until crispy. Allow the bacon to cook until it is your desired crispiness, about another 15-20 minutes.
- Let cool slightly and then place the cooled bacon on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. As the bacon continues to cool it will harden up. Make sure the bacon is completely cool before stacking it on top of each other as they will stick.
Tools
- Large baking sheet with a wire rack
- Parchment paper or foil to line the pan
- Silicone pastry brush
Storage
This pumpkin spice candied bacon is sticky because of the maple syrup. To store it place the bacon in a single layer on parchment paper or wax paper. Stack another piece of paper on top and add another single layer of bacon. Continue this, ending with either parchment paper or wax paper on top and them place the stack into a ziplock bag or airtight container. It will last for up to four days in the refrigerator. To serve it you can gently reheat it in the oven on a parchment paper lined baking sheet or serve it at room temperature.
How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Candied Bacon
- Chop the candied bacon up and use it to top pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Make it part of a brunch board.
- Add to your favorite salad.
- Use it to top off roasted squash or brussels sprouts.
- Looking for a fun addition to your Bloody Mary bar? This is it.
- In its purest form, this is just freaking delicious to snack on. Happy snacking my friends!
Tips From the Beach
- Thick cut bacon is really the best for this. You will still have chew, it holds up to the pecans, and you’re less likely to burn it like thin cut bacon.
- Don’t skip the step of lining your baking sheet. It makes for super easy clean up and save your pan. The maple glaze that drips off does tend to burn and become hard.
- You also don’t want to skip the step of allowing the bacon to cool in a single layer on parchment paper. If you pile it up on a plate you risk it all sticking to each other.
- The second baking time once you’ve flipped the bacon and added the pecans is a suggestion. If you like crisper bacon allow it to go a little longer, but be careful the pecans don’t burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pumpkin Spice Chipotle Candied Bacon spicy?
If you add just 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder it just has mild heat. If you can’t take heat at all you can leave it out.
Can this candied bacon be made nut free for food allergies?
Absolutely! You can leave the pecans off entirely and it’ll still be delicious.
Pumpkin Spice Chipotle Candied Bacon
Pumpkin Spice Chipotle Candied Bacon will have you skipping the lattes in favor of swine’s tastiest treat with smoky, warm, sweet, slightly spicy flavors.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 35
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound thick cut bacon
- 1/ cup pure maple syrup
- 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder depending on preferred heat level
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees.
- Line a large baking sheet with either parchment paper or foil. Fit a baking rack into the baking sheet.
- Lay out the bacon in a single layer on top of the rack. They can be close but don’t overlap them.
- Add the maple syrup, Dijon, and spices to a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Use a silicone brush to baste the bacon in the maple glaze.
- Place the sheet pan into the middle of the oven and allow it to bake for 15 minutes until the fat is beginning to render and the bacon has started to shrink.
- Flip the bacon over. Baste the second side with the maple glaze. Sprinkle the pecans over the top of the bacon and drizzle on a little additional glaze if desired.
- Let the bacon cook another 15-20 minutes, or until it has reached your desired crispiness.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bacon to cool for 5 minutes.
- Once slightly cooled place the bacon on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and allow to cool completely.
Notes
- You can leave the pecans off completely to make this recipe but free.