This candied bacon nut brittle is spicy, sweet and outrageously delicious. It also makes the perfect DIY food gift for the holiday season!
Put the name brittle in something and usually I can assure you it will dissuade me from wanting it. It’s weird, for as much of a sweet tooth I have when it comes to cake, pies and all things chocolate, candy does pretty much nothing for me.
I’d turn my head at just about anything from Twizzlers to Blow Pops to Jolly Ranchers to Werthers, even a homemade peanut brittle if it was my only dessert option.
That was, until I candied bacon, baked it together with some candied nuts creating a brittle-like snack that would be absolutely perfect as a DIY holiday gift and realized I now have to change my stance on all things “candied”.
I hate the association of food to crack, it’s overplayed and quite honestly, stupid but, BUT!, if ever there was something to be likened to an addicting illegal substance, it’s this candied bacon nut brittle.
It’s outrageous, you guys.
Sweet, salty, savory, spicy and crunchy.
It’s like granola and brittle combine with a lovely bacon fat blanket wrapped around them both and I can guarantee you that whether you’re eating it straight, crumbled on top of some yogurt, oatmeal, salad OR (just thought of this one!) on top of some vanilla ice cream (ehhrmagod) you’ll probably end up eating the whole batch, licking your fingers and then looking around to see if anyone else just witnessed that gluttonous annihilation.
I don’t really “do” crafty gifts, art class was never my forte. The most crafty I get is some string and a mason jar.
Exhibit A above.
If you get this candied bacon nut brittle from me this year for the holidays though, I don’t think you’ll mind the humble vessel it comes in.
Looking for something sweet instead? These Christmas candied almonds are another great holiday gift idea!
Love this candied bacon nut brittle recipe?
Looking for more DIY foodie gifts for the holidays? Check out these easy ideas too:
Rosemary Candied Pecans
Paleo Gingerbread Granola
Spicy Rosemary Roasted Almonds
Spiced Rosemary Maple Cider Nuts
Candied Bacon Nut Brittle
This candied bacon nut brittle is spicy, sweet and outrageously delicious. It also makes the perfect DIY food gift for the holiday season!
Ingredients
For the candied bacon
- 8 ounces slab bacon cut into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- zest of 1/2 a lemon
- dash cayenne pepper
- pinch of kosher salt
- pinch of black pepper
For the candied nuts
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons coconut sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon allspice
- dash cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
For the candied bacon
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the bacon by combining all the ingredients in a small bowl and tossing until bacon is fully coated. Spread the bacon out onto the parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake for 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the nuts in the same bowl as the bacon, toss until well coated.
- Remove bacon from the baking sheet using a slotted spoon to reduce the amount of grease/fat that gets picked up and place in the bowl with the nuts.
- Change out parchment paper on the baking sheet, toss the nuts and bacon together until combined then spread out evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Turn off oven, open the door a crack and let sit in the oven for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit until hardened and cooled.
- Break into pieces, place in a sealed jar for gifts or storage.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 337Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 660mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 2gSugar: 13gProtein: 15g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.
Amber
Tuesday 29th of January 2019
Would "thick sliced" bacon work?
Running to the Kitchen
Tuesday 29th of January 2019
I don't see why not!
Jen
Friday 22nd of December 2017
Made tonight and while very tasty this wasn't clumps like photo shows, rather loose bacon and nut pieces with the coating. Don't be shy on the cayenne. Wish I had used even more.
Kathleen A Cox
Tuesday 6th of June 2017
Can you please tell me what ingredients go with what? With bacon at the top and syrup at the bottom I am not sure of the mixture!
Thank You, Kathleen
Running to the Kitchen
Tuesday 6th of June 2017
Hi Kathleen - the recipe has been updated to be more clear. I switched recipe card technology recently and some of the formatting didn't carry over. Sorry about that!
Cynthia Wilbanks
Sunday 27th of November 2016
Could you substitute raw sugar for the coconut sugar - I have no access to coconut sugar.
Running to the Kitchen
Sunday 27th of November 2016
Yep, coarse raw sugar or brown sugar would work fine as substitutes.
candace
Monday 21st of November 2016
If I were to use precooked bacon (I know, I know) how would I need to adjust the baking times?
Running to the Kitchen
Monday 21st of November 2016
I'm honestly not sure how you'd candy bacon that's already cooked. I feel like it'd end up burnt in the candy-ing process? You could play with it in the oven for maybe half the time but I'm just guessing at that.