Millionaire's Bacon

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Millionaire's Bacon is sweet, spicy, and packed with irresistible flavor and texture. Made with just 6 ingredients, it's the perfect addition to elevate any breakfast or brunch. I've even served it as an appetizer or on a charcuterie board snack spread too!

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1 15

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: breakfast, pork

Servings: servings

Calories: 116kcal

Ingredients

1 pound thick-cut bacon
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack on top and lightly spray with nonstick spray.
Lay bacon strips flat on the rack, not overlapping.
In a bowl, mix together brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Spoon and gently press the sugar mixture onto the top of each bacon strip.
Bake for 30–40 minutes, rotating the pan once halfway through. The sugar should be melted, bubbling, and very dark amber when done. Time range depends on how crispy you desire your bacon.
Remove from oven and let bacon cool on the rack for 10–15 minutes. It will firm up and become perfectly sticky-crisp as it cools.

Notes

Storage:

Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. Enjoy it chilled or at room temperature. You can also reheat gently in the microwave (for just a few seconds to prevent it from getting too chewy), or in the oven at 350° for 5-7 minutes until warm.
Make this ahead of time — prep and bake bacon in advance then cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge. Serve chilled, room temperature or warmed as instructed above when ready to serve.

Tips: Try Different Flavor Variations

Maple Millionaire Bacon: Add 1 tbsp maple syrup to the sugar mix
Bourbon Bacon: Add 1–2 tsp bourbon (mix well)
Rosemary Millionaire Bacon: Finely chop fresh rosemary into sugar
Black Pepper Lover’s: Double the black pepper

Tips

Prep ingredients ahead for easier assembly.
Avoid overcooking or over-drying. Only bake the bacon until cooked through — over-baking will give it a tough or dried out texture.
Customize flavors. Choose add-ins or toppings of your choice depending on preference. Add fresh herbs, citrus or extra heat for a flavor punch.
Use high-quality ingredients. This recipe calls for so few items, so use good-quality for the best flavor.
Serve fresh for the best texture. This bacon is best day of for maximum texture satisfaction.

Nutrition