Candied bacon crackers recipe
All photos for this recipe are from Erin Hungsberg (IG: erin_hungsberg)
Warning, these things are highly addictive! The combination of fatty bacon, crisp crackers, combined with brown sugar, and a little heat from the jalapeño makes these candied bacon crackers the perfect snack. Who would have thought? With just a few basic ingredients, these are easy to make and they will have your guests hooked after the first bite!
After everyone’s suggestion I also have another recipe for these featuring cream cheese and honey, check out my candy bacon crackers with cream cheese!
Ingredients you need to make candied bacon crackers
Bacon– The salty smokey bacon is irresistible. I use thick-cut bacon.
Crackers– I use club crackers because they are the same width and shape of bacon.
Light brown sugar– Helps candy the bacon and gives a sweet bite that balances well with the jalapeño.
Black pepper– A nice contrast to the brown sugar. Fresh cracked pepper is recommended! You could also use some cayenne pepper to really spice it up!
Jalapeño– If you don’t like it spicy skip these or remove all the seeds. The brown sugar helps balance the heat.
How to make candied bacon crackers
First lay out club crackers in a single layer on top of a wire rack with a baking sheet underneath. This will allow the bacon to cook evenly and will keep your smoker or oven clean.
Add a cut slice of bacon onto each buttery cracker. I’ve tried wrapping the cracker with the bacon pieces but I prefer just to lay them on top.
Next sprinkle brown sugar onto each piece of bacon and use your finger to spread out the sugar for an even coating.
Add some fresh cracked pepper to each piece. Then finish with a thin slice of jalapeño on each piece of bacon, followed by a little more brown sugar.
I place them into my Pitboss Smoker at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes to cook until the bacon is fully cooked through. If you don’t have a smoker, the oven works great!
You know they are done when the bacon looks crispy and shiny. The brown sugar should caramelize on the bacon and the jalapeños should be soft, not crunchy. You’ll be surprised how crispy the crackers are even after they soak up all that bacon fat. I’m telling you, these are highly addictive and the only thing left to do is try them!
How to store
I doubt you will have any leftovers but if you do store them in an airtight container for a few days in the fridge. They are best eaten warm but taste great at room temperature too.
Frequently asked questions:
Can I use ritz crackers instead of club?
Yes you can use whatever cracker you want. I like club crackers because they are the same width as the bacon
What if I don’t like Jalapeños?
You can skip the jalapeños and use hot honey, cayenne pepper or just leave them off if you don’t want it spicy.
Do I have to eat them right away?
No you don’t but they do taste the best right after they are cooked
Won’t the crackers get soggy from the bacon?
It’s a little strange actually but the crackers soak up the fat and they harden back up so you have a crispy cracker when they are finished.
Can I use my oven?
Yes you can! Bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes or until the bacon is to your preferred doneness. Just keep a close watch as all ovens are a little different.
Want more easy appetizers? Try these.
Cornbread cupcakes with mashed potatoes
Roast beef and cheddar sliders
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Candied bacon crackers
These are highly addictive! The combo of bacon, with brown sugar, and heat from the jalapeño, makes these candied bacon crackers a must try!
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 12 club crackers
- 4 pieces of thick cut bacon cut into thirds
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cracked black pepper
- 2 jalapeños thinly sliced
Instructions
- Lay out club crackers onto a cooking rack with a baking sheet underneath.
- Place 1 piece of bacon onto each cracker.
- Sprinkle brown sugar onto each piece of bacon.
- Add freshly cracked black pepper to each piece of bacon.
- Add one thinly sliced jalapeño to the center of each piece of bacon.
- Smoke at 350°F for 30 minutes or until bacon is cooked through. This can also be done in your oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Smoke, Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Candied bacon crackers, Bacon crackers, Spicy candied bacon crackers
Same degree and 30 minutes if done in the oven?
Id say 20-30 minutes. Just keep an eye on it.
Pre heat the oven or smoker first or not?
Yes I would!
I can’t wait to make these for church this week!
Sounds good!
How do you store these and how long will they last
They are best right after but you could store them in the fridge for a few days if you wanted.
Jordan, this recipe is the bomb!! It’s 10 out of 10 Everyone loved them! Can’t wait for more delicious recipes.
Thank you! Love to hear that.
Looks delicious! Can’t wait to make these.
★★★★★
Thanks Amy! You’ll enjoy these
No exaggeration- these are addicting! I made them twice in one week. Be generous with the brown sugar. Yummy.
★★★★★
They really are Chuck!
Will thick sliced bacon work or is thinner better for these?
I use thick the important thing is to let the bacon get crisp. Keep an eye on em.
Made these on my Traeger..they are so easy and so quick to make. The flavor of the Jalapeño and the oils it produces makes the bacon,brown sugar and crackers so addicting. I’m not joking I ate 19 of the 20 I made . So next outing I will triple the recipe.
★★★★★
They are addicting aren’t they??
These are absolutely fantastic. I used my homemade maple bourbon bacon and cut it quite thick. The recipe was extremely easy to follow, and the results speak for themselves 😁👍.
★★★★★
Thank you so much! The homemade bacon sounds amazing.
These are addictive. Very easy to make. The sweet smoky bacon with a touch of heat from the jalapeños tastes perfect on the buttery club crackers. My family loves them!
★★★★★
So happy to hear! Thanks for the nice comment.
I made these a few times and they were delicious and addictive.
They sure are!
Can I
make these with pickle jalapenos?
Sure! If you are worried about them overcooking you could just add them at the end too.
Thanks very interesting blog!
★★★★★
It’s hard to come by well-informed people for this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re
talking about! Thanks
★★★★★
How long if these are oven cooked, and what temp?
Stay at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is done how you like it. Make sure to use thick cut bacon if you can.
What if I don’t have a wire rack? Will it work if I set them directly on the baking sheet?
You don’t need one but it just helps with the circulation and for the fat to drip down off the bacon.
Hi! These look delicious , and I can’t wait to try these!
I want to make these for a party. Do you think I could assemble them the day before, and bake the next day?
I think you could prep everything and then quickly put them together the day of. It only takes a few minutes to assemble but have the bacon and jalapeño cut ahead of time. I’m worried if you lay the bacon on the crackers overnight it might get soggy.
Whatcha think about using the convection option on my oven? … asking for a friend… !
Yep I think its a good idea. I would say 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until the bacon is to your preferred doneness.
Initial batch out of the oven! Forgot the pepper; they’re still perfect! Used the convection option for twenty minutes; low broiler setting for an additional five to further crisp the bacon. HOLY SMOKES! 5+ Stars!
★★★★★
They are addicting!
These sound wonderful. Can’t wait to make them. Thanks for all your responses to questions. God bless.
Anytime! Let me know if you make them.
Bel article, je l’ai partagé avec mes amis.
★★★★★
These crackers were a HUGE hit. We switched out the jalapeños for poblanos, and we couldn’t stay out of them! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Nice idea! So happy you liked them
Simple, easy and most important freaking delicious!!! Used a BBQ rub on top as well for an added flavor. Such a huge hit at the pool party.
★★★★★
Great idea with the bbq rub! Thanks Adam.
Easy to make but didn’t find them to be as good as we thought they’d be. Thought they’d be big on flavor but underwhelmed for us.
★★★★
Thanks Nick for your honest review. Sorry they didn’t come out the way you expected!
Making these as I type and my does my house smell wonderful… I already know by the comments it’s gonna be a 10 out of 10… thanks man!! This recipe 👩🍳💋
Thank you for adding a new addiction to my life! Lol! Made these today and I didn’t realize how many I ate and had to make more! I love fresh sliced jalapeños on them and without. My oven is so old and it only took 17 min at 350 so please be watchful.
★★★★★
They are addicting aren’t they! And good call on watching the stove. Each one is a little different.
Can you use different crackers? Has anyone tried?
I assume you can but have only made them with club crackers.
I put them on saltines and they’re great!
I’ll have to try that!
Do you think a air fryer would work in a pinch?
Yes I think so!
I have already made these in the air fryer using the bacon mode, May have to do it one or two more times, depending on how crisp you like your bacon. And like everything else in the air fryer, they were amazing!!!
★★★★★
So happy it worked out
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this web site on regular basis
to take updated from most recent news update.
★★★★★
Holy moly! These tasty bites disappeared as soon as we took them out of the oven! The freshness of the jalapeño cuts through the richness of the bacon and the brown sugar adds the perfect balance of sweetness. We made a few without jalapeños for the kids and they LOVED these crackers as much as we did! They are a perfectly delicious fingerfood, and they require minimal prep and almost no clean-up. I will definitely double the recipe next time to keep everyone happy.
★★★★★
So happy to hear! Such a great appetizer and easy like you said.
My husband keeps asking me to make these over and over. So easy!
★★★★★
Can you blame him?? Haha thank you for sharing!
Anyone tried this recipe when adding bbq sauce or a glaze to bacon ? or on top of the cracker with everything on
Try with some honey
Amazing flavors. Sweet and savory. Stick to 30 min. We used center cut bacon so we had a little chewy for a nice total bite. Sprinkling a little brown sugar on the jalapeno was perfect. This is crack ,will send my sugar over the edge. I would recommend to anyone. I have already sent it out to my network of semi foodies. Good job.
★★★★★
Thanks John! They are addictive!
I want to make these for a tailgate but have to drive 1.5 hours to the tailgate. Should I try to keep them warm on the way or are they ok at room temp/ cooler.
They are best warm but still good room temp
Loved these, however the crackers weren’t crispy, probably the moisture of the thick cut bacon. Might try upping the temp in oven, unless you have other recommendations?
★★★★
You can up the temp some and also leave them in longer to cook. Also let them cool for 5-10 minutes before eating. That gives them a chance to firm up a bit as well.
So my family lives jalepeno but doesn’t like the heat. I cut my jalepenos and put in boiling water for 3 minutes and straight to an ice bath. Now heat is gone and even the little grands love them
★★★★★
Fantastic!