Beer-Candied Bacon: Sticky, Crispy, and Sweet-Savory With a Beer Glaze That Smacks Hard

ByKarl S

Beer-Candied Bacon is what happens when you take thick-cut bacon and glaze it in a sticky reduction of beer, brown sugar, and spice until it’s glossy, caramelized, and borderline addictive.

It’s the perfect beer snack, burger topper, brunch side, or dessert garnish. One bite and you’ll realize: bacon was always meant to be candied in beer.

Ingredients (Makes about 12 strips)

  • 12 slices thick-cut bacon
  • ½ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
  • ¼ cup beer (porter, stout, or brown ale — rich and malty)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for kick)
  • Optional: ½ tsp smoked paprika or maple syrup for extra depth

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lay bacon strips on the rack in a single layer.

Step 2: Make the Beer Glaze

  1. In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, beer, black pepper, and any optional spices.
  2. Simmer over medium heat, stirring, for 5–7 minutes, until slightly thickened and syrupy.

Step 3: Glaze and Bake

  1. Brush the tops of the bacon with the beer glaze.
  2. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip and brush the other side.
  3. Continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, glazing every 5 minutes, until the bacon is crispy, deeply browned, and caramelized.

Step 4: Cool and Crisp

  1. Let bacon cool on the rack for 5–10 minutes — it will crisp up as it sets.
  2. Transfer to a parchment-lined plate once firm. Serve warm or at room temp.

Flavor Variations

  • Use bourbon barrel-aged stout for extra richness
  • Add chili flakes or hot honey for heat
  • Glaze with maple syrup + beer for a breakfast twist
  • Dust with crushed peanuts or sesame seeds for texture

Beer Pairing

In the Glaze

  • Stout, porter, brown ale, or dunkel — smooth, sweet, and malty
  • Avoid hoppy or sour beers — too bitter or tart for candying

In Your Glass

  • Pair with the same beer used in the glaze
  • Try a milk stout or bock for a sweet-savory balance
  • Go bold with a Belgian dubbel or barleywine for boozy richness

Final Thoughts

Beer-Candied Bacon is crunchy, sticky, and hits every flavor note — sweet, salty, spicy, and smoky. Serve it as a bar snack, crumble it over mac and cheese, or sandwich it in a biscuit with fried egg and beer cheese.

One pan. One pint. One glorious strip at a time. 🥓🍺🔥

More Not-So-Healthy Beer Snacks 🍻

Deep-fried, beer-battered, cheesy, and gloriously greasy — these over-the-top snack recipes are made for game days, pub nights, or cheat-day cravings. Grab a cold one and dig in.

🧀 Deep-Fried Beer Cheese Balls – Crispy outside, molten beer cheese inside — party-perfect bites.
🥓 Beer-Battered Bacon Strips – Smoky, salty bacon wrapped in golden beer batter.
🧅 Beer Battered Onion Rings – Extra-crunchy rings with a deep beer flavor.
🧄 Beer Cheese Pull-Apart Bread – Gooey, garlicky bread loaded with beer cheese pockets.
🍗 Beer-Glazed Chicken Wings – Sticky, crispy wings with a bold beer glaze.
🌮 Beer Nachos Supreme – Stacked high with beer-infused queso and all the fixings.
🍩 Beer Donuts (Fried + Glazed) – Deep-fried donuts with a sweet beer glaze finish.
🧀 Beer Mac & Cheese Bites (Fried) – Creamy beer mac, breaded and fried into crispy bites.
🥨 Beer Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese Dip – Soft pretzel nuggets with rich beer cheese on the side.
🧆 Beer Brat Sliders – Juicy beer-braised brats on slider buns with tangy toppings.
🥜 Guinness Beer Nuts – caramelized nuts roasted in dark, malty Guinness.

Explore Our Top Cooking-with-Beer Recipes 🍺 🍺

From crispy beer-battered classics to bold mains, cheesy dips, breads, and even desserts — these roundups bring together the best of beer-infused cooking. Whether you’re hosting a game day, planning a backyard BBQ, or just experimenting in the kitchen, there’s a beer recipe collection for every craving.

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