Shear Taste Maple-Chipotle Candied Bacon

Yield: 1 lb bacon
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Best For: Brunch, breakfast sandwiches, burgers, salads, appetizers

Ingredients

• 1 lb thick-cut bacon

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

• 2 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp chipotle powder

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• 1 tbsp honey

• ½ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Heat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Prepare pan: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil. Place a wire rack over the pan.

3. Arrange bacon: Lay bacon strips flat on the rack without overlapping.

4. Make glaze: Combine maple syrup, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chipotle powder, black pepper, honey and garlic powder.

5. First bake: Bake bacon for 12–15 minutes.

6. Glaze: Remove from oven and brush each strip generously with the maple-chipotle glaze.

7. Finish: Return to oven and bake another 7–10 minutes, until caramelized and crispy around the edges.

8. Cool: Let bacon rest for 3–5 minutes before serving. The glaze will continue to set as it cools.

Chef's Tip

For a stronger sweet-heat profile, add another ¼–½ tsp chipotle powder.

For a more Midwest-inspired flavor, replace half of the maple syrup with honey and add a small pinch of cinnamon.

Serving Ideas

🥓 Brunch: Serve alongside eggs, biscuits and gravy, or shrimp & grits.

🍔 Burger: Add to a smash burger with smoked cheese and caramelized onions.

🥪 Breakfast Sandwich: Layer with fried egg and cheese on a toasted ciabatta.

🧀 Mac & Cheese: Chop crispy bacon and use it as a finishing garnish.

🥗 Salad: Crumble over a roasted Brussels sprout or spinach salad.

Batch Scaling

BaconMaple SyrupBrown Sugar1 lb¼ cup2 tbsp5 lb1¼ cups⅝ cup10 lb2½ cups1¼ cups

Shear Taste Flavor Profile:
Smoky • Sweet • Spicy • Savory

Midwest Roots • Global Flavors