Air Fryer Maple Candied Bacon

Air fryer maple candied bacon is insanely good! With a brown sugar maple syrup glaze gives this salty and sweet pork dish is addicting. Made in your Ninja Foodi or Cosori for a great breakfast side dish.

Maple Candied Bacon

We made some air fryer bacon wrapped smokies a while back. Similar to this but with little hot dogs in the center. Now it was time to go back to the basics and show you how this was done too. A great surprise in the morning sitting next to your eggs, or crumbled on top of your favorite dessert.

You’re basically going to be using most of the same ingredients for this bacon appetizer though. The syrup will help the sugar stick and as it cools it will harden just like a piece of bacon candy. Want to make it a bit spicy too? Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or dry Sriracha to the outside too. 😉

Air Fryer Candied Bacon

You’ve likely made Ninja Foodi bacon before when you first got your machine right? We did too, so easy and love how the grease drains away as it crisps. This takes a few more minutes as you add a sweetness that can be compared to no other.

As far as the ingredients are concerned I suggest a few things; I do not like thick bacon, regular works better. Real maple syrup is better than the processed variety too.

Yes it is more expensive but worth every penny. Light vs. dark brown sugar is my choice as well. There is less molasses which can add a bit of intensity that isn’t great.

Ninja Foodi Candied Bacon

If you love to make all different sorts of charcuterie board ideas this is a fantastic addition to any variety you might be making! From dessert to savory versions this is something totally different that seems “fancy” but really is quite easy to make. You can make them the day before too to cut down on prep. Just store in between parchment paper.

How long can candied bacon last?

This is important if you are going to prep the day before, or make in bulk and crumble inside or on top of other dessert dishes. Allow to completely cool when done. Lay on parchment paper in a single layer with another piece on top of that so none of them stick. Slide into a freezer bag and store on countertop. They will last for up to 2-3 weeks. Refrigerate for anything beyond a day or two but realize that it will stiffen up quite a bit and change the texture when cooled like this.

I almost never ever suggest you use foil or parchment paper in your machine. BUT you want the coating to really stick for this so it is kinda’ necessary. No real need to flip over halfway thru but you could. Just cook until crispy knowing they will harden more as they cool.

How to Make Candied Bacon

• Unwrap your package of thawed or fresh bacon. Lay on a cutting board and slice in half lengthwise so they aren’t as long.
• Use a paper towel to blot each piece dry so the coating sticks.
  • Pour syrup in a bowl and brown sugar in another.
  • One at a time dip bacon strips in syrup.
  • Then lay in sugar and press to coat on both sides of the bacon.
  • Lift up and let excess fall off.
• Preheat air fryer to 350 degrees F for 5 minutes. Lay a piece of parchment paper inside air fryer basket and lay coated bacon pieces inside without overlapping.
  • If you want it a bit spicy too, VERY lightly sprinkle some chili powder, black pepper or red pepper flakes on pieces.
• When full close basket and cook for 10 minutes cook time. Have a plate or baking sheet with parchment paper ready and on the side.
• When done use tongs to lift each piece out. Sit on parchment or cooling rack for a full 10 – 15 minutes so it can cool and coating can harden.

How to make spicy

Air frying this way will get it really crunchy. You don’t want to overcook them because you want it to still be a bit tender when cooled. Thick cut bacon in the air fryer will not get quite as crispy. If you wanted some heat just sprinkle on some red pepper flakes on top after you add them into your basket to stick.

Can you make with frozen bacon?

This is of course using defrosted or fresh but we recently figured out how to make frozen bacon in air fryer. You would want to use that timing and once you flip the first time you could then sprinkle on brown sugar to caramelize with a little drizzle of honey. When flipped again do the same thing to make sweet. Not as effective as if it were thawed but can be done….

Serve as a breakfast side dish with egg bites or French toast. Now jump to recipe and let me know what your favorite duo with these babies are.