Baked Maple Bacon

Think you love bacon as much as you possibly can? Try Baked Maple Bacon: it will make you feel like you’re eating candy!

Since I have a sweet tooth and a bit of a snacking habit, I’m always looking for unique recipe options. Like many others, I love bacon, but usually just think of it as a crispy side next to my morning scrambled eggs. Once I started experimenting, I realized there are a lot of ways to improve upon bacon. First step—maple syrup! That’s what I’m using in this simple, delicious recipe. But I also infuse it with even more flavor from cinnamon, smoked paprika, black pepper, and nutmeg. You could say that I’m a glutton for that delectable combo of sweet and spicy. You may not expect it to be spicy, but this recipe definitely brings on the heat! The unique touch that helps deliver an extra crunchy bite is from the chopped Brazil nuts.

You probably noticed that this recipe doesn’t call for any brown sugar, which is intentional. Although many versions of sweet bacon use sugar as part of a dry seasoning mixture, I’m using maple syrup instead. Of course, it’s a personal preference, but I like the robust flavor of maple syrup. Instead of just plain sweetness, you’re getting a rich, distinctive taste that is a bit floral and woody. How delicious does that sound?

Is This Baked Maple Bacon Healthy?

Bacon is not generally considered to be healthy, since it’s a processed meat that’s high in sodium, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Also, the maple syrup is high in sugar. One benefit is that by baking the bacon, the fat can drain off the metal rack. Although we recommend alternatives in many recipes, thick-cut bacon is the way to go here. If the bacon is too thin, it will be overpowered by the glaze. This recipe is suitable for low-carb, gluten-free, and lactose-free diets. However, this is definitely a recipe that you’ll want to enjoy sparingly.

Get Creative With Your Ingredients

I’m all for a simple recipe, and I think you’ll agree that the maple syrup and seasoning blend here is absolutely delicious. That being said, let’s start thinking of other flavor profiles that you can use with your thick-cut bacon. First, I like to mix Dijon mustard in with the maple syrup. The combination is absolutely divine and adds an entirely different element to baked maple bacon. Another exciting version is a spicy baked maple bacon. Even though there’s some heat in the original version, I’d recommend adding in cayenne pepper for an extra kick. Also, don’t stop at Brazil nuts. You can use pretty much any chopped nut in this recipe, whether that’s pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios, or macadamia nuts. So if there’s one you prefer (or have readily available), go for it!

Serving Suggestions

When I make a batch of baked maple bacon, I love to snack on it throughout the day. Aside from snacking, you can also pair it with many dishes. Since bacon is quite rich, I like to eat it with healthy options like a Breakfast Burrito or Baked Eggs In Avocado. Maybe it’s just in my head, but I feel less guilty when I do so!

Outside of breakfast, baked maple bacon can be a great addition at lunch. Why not crumble it over a Spring Salad or use it in place of regular bacon in a BLT Sandwich? Then wash everything down with a Peanut Butter Low-Carb Keto Smoothie With Almond Milk.

Recipe