It’s easy to customise your bacon to create fun and delicious flavors, from choc dipped to chili glazed.
Bacon is one of the most-loved meats for good reason: it’s salty, crispy and full of smoky, savory flavor. We enjoy wrapping it around other foods, serving it alongside breakfast classics or even using strips as cocktail garnishes. If you think bacon can’t get any better, try flavoring store-bought bacon with simple hacks to create sweet, spicy and savory variations. These ideas are easy, flexible and perfect for experimenting with your favorite ingredients.
If you prefer to make bacon from scratch, seek out a dedicated cure-and-smoke recipe. Below are five straightforward ways to transform store-bought bacon into custom flavored bites. Feel free to swap in different hot sauces, sweeteners, or chocolate types to suit your tastes.
How to make your own customized flavored bacon:
All of the recipes below use the same basic method: cook the bacon in a hot oven until the fat is rendered and the meat is crisp. Apply savory or spicy seasonings before cooking, and add sugary or sticky glazes partway through the bake—this lets the bacon render first so the topping caramelizes without burning. For easy cleanup, line a sheet pan with foil and place a wire rack on top so air circulates around the bacon for even cooking. If you want a stronger smoky flavor, these can also be finished on a pellet grill instead of an oven.
Smokey Black Pepper Bacon
- 8 oz thick-cut bacon
- 1/2 tablespoon coarse black pepper
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and set a rack on top. Arrange the bacon on the rack and sprinkle generously with coarse black pepper. Bake 25–30 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the fat has rendered. The black pepper adds a bright, slightly spicy finish that highlights the bacon’s smoke.
Apple Jelly Glazed Bacon
- 8 oz regular-cut bacon
- 1/4 cup apple jelly
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and place a rack on top. For a twist, hold one end of a bacon strip and gently twist the other end to create a spiral, then lay it on the rack. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the bacon is nearly cooked and the fat has mostly rendered. Warm the apple jelly on the stove or in the microwave until it’s brushable, then coat the bacon twists and return to the oven for 3–5 minutes to set the first layer. Brush a second layer and bake another 3–5 minutes. Applying the glaze after the bacon has started to render prevents burning while creating a glossy, fruity finish.
Hot Honey Bacon
- 8 oz regular-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 1/8 teaspoon chipotle powder
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and set a rack on top. Arrange the bacon and bake 25–30 minutes or until nearly cooked through. Mix the honey with the cayenne and chipotle powders, brush onto the bacon, then return to the oven for 3–5 minutes to caramelize. Watch closely so the honey browns but does not burn. The result is a sweet-heat glaze with a smoky, earthy chipotle note.
Spicy Sriracha Bacon
- 8 oz regular-cut bacon
- 3 tablespoons sriracha sauce
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and place a rack on top. Lay the bacon on the rack and brush a thin layer of sriracha onto each slice before baking, or apply when the bacon is partially cooked if you prefer a milder char on the sauce. Bake 25–30 minutes until the bacon is rendered and the edges darken. Sriracha delivers a garlicky, tangy heat that complements the bacon’s richness.
Choc Dipped Bacon
- 8 oz thick-cut bacon
- 4 oz milk chocolate candy melts (or your preferred milk chocolate)
- 1 oz white chocolate candy melts (optional for drizzle)
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a sheet pan with foil and place a rack on top. Bake the bacon 30–35 minutes or until fully rendered and crisp. Let the strips cool. Melt the milk chocolate candy melts in short bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth. Dip one end of each bacon strip into the chocolate and transfer to a parchment-lined sheet to set. If you like, melt the white chocolate and drizzle it over the chilled, chocolate-dipped ends for contrast. Candy melts are designed to harden with a glossy finish, but you can use other chocolates if you prefer; just know some may remain softer at room temperature.