Smoked Bacon Candy on the Traeger

There are very few things I love more than bacon – but let me tell you – this Smoked Bacon Candy might just top the list!!! I’ve had and made candied bacon – but putting it on the Traeger (or whatever pellet grill you have) and adding that smoky deliciousness – WOW JUST WOW! It adds a whole new dimension of flavor!!!!

This post is sponsored by Iowa Pork. All opinions are my own.

I’m originally from Iowa and we got a lotta pigs there – so I’ve been eating every cut of pork since I could chew! I have grilled bacon before – and it was oh so perfect!!! But the addition of brown sugar to the mix – oh my my – this is definitely a recipe the whole family will love! This candied bacon recipe is smoky, meaty, sweet, salty – everything – all in one! You can also make this Pig Candy recipe in the oven.

What’s in Candied Bacon?

This easy recipe has very simple ingredients and the bacon is the most important part. When you’re making candied bacon – the type of bacon matters! Be sure to use a high quality, thick bacon. Thin bacon can’t stand up to the brown sugar. That said – here’s all you need:

• 1 lb thick cut bacon note: cooking times are for THICK CUT
• 1 cup brown sugar – light or dark will work
• 1/2 cup bacon grease

What kind of pellets should I use to smoke candied bacon?

There are many flavors of pellets that work in your Traeger pellet grill. I keep it simple and always use the Traeger Signature Blend which is a blend of Maple and Cherry. That said if you’re looking for something specific for bacon – the best are Hickory, Apple Wood or Cherry.

How do you make Bacon Candy on the Smoker?

When I made grilled bacon – I put the bacon directly on the grill grate – BUT for candied bacon – the best way is to use a wire rack and rimmed baking sheet. The candied part of the bacon doesn’t adhere completely and you don’t want all that goodness to come off when you remove it from the grill.

• The first step is to turn on the Traeger and set to Smoke and leave lid open until Traeger starts to smoke.The smoke should dissipate in about five minutes.
• After smoke is clear, clean off grill with brush so grates are clean. Change temp to 300 degrees F and close lid to preheat grill. Should come to temp in about 10 minutes. Be sure your hopper is full of pellets.
• In a small saucepan, melt bacon grease and brown sugar together – stir frequently until it’s the consistency of a milkshake – this should only take a couple of minutes
• Do NOT overcook – once it goes from that sludgy mixture to sticking together and a little “gloppy” – it’s unusable. You won’t be able to spread it on the bacon. If you get there – just start over with fresh bacon grease and brown sugar.
• Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet pan and place bacon strips in a single layer on wire rack
• OPTIONAL: Lay parchment on wire rack and poke holes for grease to drain through. Bacon doesn’t really stick but it does make for easy clean-up.
• Spoon brown sugar mixture onto top side of the bacon slices and spread out. Heavily coat each piece of bacon with the brown sugar mixture! You want a thick coating on the bacon pieces – but no worries – you won’t lose the flavor of bacon!
• Once Traeger comes to temp, place baking sheet on grill. Let the bacon cook for 45-60 minutes.
• Winter in Ohio – the Traeger had a harder time staying at temp – so it took the full 60 minutes
• Remove pan from Traeger. Turn dial to shut down mode. Power down after 5 minutes.
• Lay out a piece of parchment paper and transfer slices to parchment paper.
• FOR BEST RESULTS, use a thin metal spatula – the slices will still be a little limp at this point.
• Let rest for 5 minutes for bacon to harden.

What if I don’t have a smoker? How would I make this on a regular grill? Or what if I want MORE smoky flavor?

If you want more smoky flavor – you’ve got a couple of options! Both of these options work on a regular charcoal or gas grill – or will ADD MORE smoke to your smoker.

• Wood chips – Soak them in water for 30 minutes before starting the grill. One cup of wood chips will last for about 20 minutes. Keep adding chips to the grill throughout the process. 
  • If you use a charcoal grill, light the coals, when the coals are ready, place them on one side of the grill. Place some of the wood chips on top of the coals. Place your food on the side without the coals to cook it with indirect heat.
• Smoker Tubes – My friend Nick introduced me to the wonderment of a smoke tube! It’s a metal tube with holes – fill that tube with Traeger pellets and then light it with a butane lighter. Once the pellets catch fire – let them get started – then blow the flames out. Set them in the grill with your food and shut the lid. The smoke flavor is all those tubes will leave behind!

How do you store and reheat leftovers?

Candied bacon is delicious but it’s RICH – most folks will eat 1-2 slices. This recipe makes enough for six people so you might have leftovers! Store on parchment paper in zip seal bags and refrigerate up to a week. Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes.

More Bacon Recipes

• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Scallops
• Sausage Stuffed Jalapenos wrapped in Bacon
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Shrimp

More Traeger Smoker Recipes

• Traeger Smoked Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf
• Smoked Bacon Wrapped Oreos
• Beginners Guide to Smoking a Brisket