These Candied Bacon Crackers take only 10 minutes to prep, use only 3 ingredients (plus black pepper), and are a fun party appetizer for the holidays. These little salty-sweet bites will fly off the platter!
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⭐Why I Love It:
- 10 Minutes of Prep Time - Just line the crackers on a baking sheet, top with bacon pieces, brush with maple syrup and bake! For another easy appetizer to prep, try this Goat Cheese and Fig Dip!
- Only 3 Ingredients (Plus Pepper)- You only need crackers, bacon slices, and maple syrup to make these!
- Finger Food Party Appetizer - These are the perfect appetizer to serve at your next holiday party!
🥘Ingredients
- Bacon Slices - I recommend using Center Cut Bacon so the slices are less fatty. Another fun bacon appetizer are these Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Date!
- Club Crackers - You can use another type of buttery, rectangle crackers.
- Pure Maple Syrup - Many recipes call for using brown sugar instead, which tastes very good too, but I prefer using maple syrup as it caramelizes better and doesn't leave grainy sugar crystals leftover. Another great way to use pure maple syrup is by making this Maple Balsamic Dressing.
- Ground or Cracked Black Pepper - After baking, I like to give a generous sprinkle of cracked black pepper to balance the sweetness. If you like spice, then using Red Pepper Flakes instead is also great!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔪Candied Bacon Crackers - Step by Step Instructions
This recipe for 3 Ingredient Candied Bacon Crackers could not be any easier!
Photo 1 - Start by getting the oven preheating and lining a sheet pan with foil (for easy cleanup) and topping with a metal rack. Place the crackers on the rack - leaving a little space in between each one.
Photo 2 - Add a piece of bacon on top of each cracker.
Photo 3 - Brush the bacon with maple syrup and bake in the preheated oven until the bacon is crispy and the crackers are golden (about 40 minutes).
Photo 4 - After baking, sprinkle with black pepper and allow to cool slightly before immediately serving.
💭Recipe Tips
- Bake Low and Slow - Many recipes call for a higher temp, but I find lower and slower works better to crisp up the bacon while also not burning the crackers.
- Maple Syrup vs Brown Sugar - Many recipes call for brown sugar (which still tastes great!) , but I like using maple syrup because it caramelizes in an even layer and you don't have any grains of sugar left.
- Leftovers - Because of the caramelized bacon texture, these are best served fresh soon after making. If you do have leftovers, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Before enjoying again, you can reheat them in the oven at 300 degrees F for a few minutes to warm.
- Line the baking sheet - While lining the baking sheet is technically optional is makes it SO much easier to clean from the bacon fat and maple syrup that drips off.
- Other Variations - There are lots of ways to mix up this recipe! Try adding sliced jalapeños on top of the bacon slices or you can add a small slice of parmesan cheese in between the cracker and the bacon.
👩🍳Recipe FAQs
No, it's best to bake these slower at a lower temp so the crackers don't burn.
🥨Related Appetizer and Snack Recipes...
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PrintRecipe
Candied Bacon Crackers (3 Ingredients)
These Candied Bacon Crackers take only 10 minutes to prep, use only 3 ingredients (plus black pepper), and are a fun party appetizer for the holidays. These little salty-sweet bites will fly off the platter!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 36 crackers
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ~30-36 Club crackers, or other rectangular buttery crackers
- 1 lb Bacon, Center Cut Preferred, about 10-12 slices
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided
- Ground Black Pepper or Red Pepper Flakes, optional
Instructions
- Prep - Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with foil and place a wire rack on top
- Cut Bacon - Cut the slices into thirds so you have pieces that are about 3 - 3.5 inches long. You should now have 30-36 pieces of bacon.
- Assemble Crackers and Bacon - Arrange the crackers on the wire rack. Top each cracker with a piece of bacon.
- Brush with Maple Syrup - Place about 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup in a small bowl and brush the bacon with the syrup.
- Bake - Bake for about 40-45 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the crackers are golden.
- Finish - Remove from oven and brush with the reserved 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. I like to sprinkle each piece with ground black pepper, but you can also use red pepper flakes.
- Enjoy - Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Maple Syrup vs Brown Sugar - Many recipes call for brown sugar (which still tastes great!) , but I like using maple syrup because it caramelizes in an even layer and you don't have any grains of sugar left.
Leftovers - Because of the caramelized bacon texture, these are best served fresh soon after making. If you do have leftovers, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Before enjoying again, you can reheat them in the oven at 300 degrees F for a few minutes to warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cracker
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 1.4 g
- Sodium: 93.8 mg
- Fat: 4.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.6 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 1.4 g
- Cholesterol: 6.2 mg
Katie says
These were so popular at the holiday party! So good!