This air fryer candied bacon recipe is a delicious sweet and savory treat. It’s perfect for dressing up a charcuterie board or topping cakes and cupcakes. Cooking air fryer candied bacon also cuts down the cooking time by half!
Ingredients
1 pound thick-cut bacon
5 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
Instructions
Lay about 1/2 the bacon into the air fryer basket. (It’s okay for them to overlap)
Season with coarse black pepper and cook at 400 degrees F. for 5 minutes.
While the bacon is cooking, add the maple syrup and brown sugar to a bowl and stir to combine.
After 5 minutes, open the air fryer and flip the bacon. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Open the air fryer and brush the bacon with the maple syrup mixture. Cook another 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to set. Let sit for at least 5 minutes.
Repeat the same process with the other 1/2 of the bacon.
See notes below for storage recommendations.
Notes
Add a little heat by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the black pepper.
If you prefer to bake the bacon in the oven, you can find oven-baked candied bacon instructions in this recipe maple bacon spice cupcakes.
You can store candied bacon in the refrigerator for up to three weeks. Note that the syrup may get wet and sticky as it sits. You can reheat in the air fryer by cooking for 3-5 minutes and then let it set again on a cooling rack.
