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
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
wow..they look awesome..beautiful photographs
Ermageerrrrd!! I NEED this in my life!! What more could you want??
OH!! Love this holiday snack! Sounds delicious!
Wow, wow, wow Gina! I LOVE brittle, so I KNOW I’m going to love this! Seriously?? Bacon?? OMG, love, love, love!
This is outrageously awesome in every way!
This looks amazing and addicting! love!
Ummm candied bacon nut brittle?! This is freaking awesome.
Waiiiit, WHAT?! Holy bacon.
Candy doesn’t do anything for me either, but anything savory that’s been candied… count me in! This brittle sounds amazing!!
This is too good to be true! It’s time to change the dish I’m bringing to Thanksgiving because this is a winner for sure.
Diana