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This slightly crispy and candied bacon is a copycat First Watch recipe. With a sweet coating that has a hint of spice this Million Dollar Bacon is irresistibly good. It might just be the only way you’ll ever want to make bacon again.
What is Million Dollar Bacon?
Million dollar bacon is a mouth-watering breakfast dish that has taken the culinary world by storm. This sweet and savory dish has become a popular breakfast staple at many restaurants and cafes around the world.
Made famous by the restaurant chain First Watch, million dollar bacon, also known as millionaire bacon, is baked in the oven and coated in a peppery brown sugar glaze giving it a candied bacon flavor with some extra crunch.
You can easily make it at home too using thick-cut bacon and some standard pantry staples such as Maple Syrup. You’ll also need a wire rack that fits onto a rimmed baking sheet so every bacon strip is perfectly crispy.
Just as making Homemade Breakfast Sausage is better than store-bought, this bacon will elevate your breakfast with something special.
Ingredients Needed
So what makes million-dollar bacon so special? The answer lies in the combination of flavors and textures. The brown sugar adds a sweet and caramelized flavor to the bacon, while the cayenne and black pepper give it a nice kick of heat. The end result is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy that is truly addictive.
- Thick-Cut Bacon – Thick-cut bacon is preferred because it has a higher fat content and can hold up better to the coating of brown sugar and spices. The thickness of the bacon also allows it to cook more evenly and retain its shape, resulting in a crispy texture and a meaty flavor. In addition, the thickness of the bacon allows it to absorb more of the flavors from the coating, resulting in a more pronounced and delicious taste.
- Brown Sugar – Brown sugar adds sweetness and helps to create a caramelized coating on the bacon. When the brown sugar is sprinkled on the bacon and baked in the oven, it melts and forms a sticky glaze that coats the bacon slices, creating a deliciously crispy texture and a caramelized taste.
- Spices – You will need black pepper which adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the dish, enhancing the savory notes of the bacon. Cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick to the dish and cinnamon adds warmth and a touch of sweetness.
- Maple Syrup – When added to the coating for bacon, Maple Syrup can add a subtle sweetness and a distinct maple flavor to the dish. The sweetness from the maple syrup can complement the savory flavors of the bacon, but if you’re out or don’t have any you can use a Maple Syrup Substitute.
How to Make Million-Dollar Bacon
- Prep the baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 325º F and line a baking sheet with foil, making sure to cover the edges. Place a wire baking rack on top of the baking sheet and spray it with cooking spray.
- Prepare the glaze. In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and maple syrup together until thick paste-like consistency forms.
- Arrange the bacon. Place each piece of bacon on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to not overlap the pieces.
- Spread the glaze on the bacon. Using a pastry brush slather the glaze on both sides of the bacon trying to coat it evenly.
- Bake. Place the bacon in the oven to bake for 15 minutes. Then rotate the pan and cook for an additional 15 minutes until it becomes brown and crispy. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the bacon. When placing each strip of bacon on the wire rack don’t overlap it or crowd it. This will cause it to cook slower and not get as crispy.
- Using a wire rack is key. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and fit a wire rack on top. This is key for cooking perfectly crispy bacon with even flavor.
- Use thick-cut bacon: Thick-cut bacon works best for million-dollar bacon as it can hold up to the sweet and spicy coating and gets nice and crispy in the oven.
- Watch the bacon closely: Keep an eye on the bacon as it bakes, as it can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly. Check on it every few minutes to make sure it’s cooking evenly.
Storage
To store million-dollar bacon, it’s important to let it cool completely to room temperature before storing it. Once cooled, transfer the bacon to an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- Freezing Instructions – If you want to store the bacon for a longer period, you can freeze it. Wrap the bacon tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating Instructions – When you’re ready to reheat the bacon, remove it from the refrigerator or freezer and let it come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 325°F (190°C) and place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the bacon is warmed through and the coating is crispy again.
FAQS
Yes, you can make million dollar bacon ahead of time and reheat it in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
While you can use regular sugar, brown sugar gives the bacon a caramelized flavor and a deeper color.
Million Dollar Bacon Recipe
Equipment
- Rimmed Baking Sheet
- Wire Rack
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 12 pieces Thick-Cut Bacon
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Cilantro for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 325º F and line a baking sheet with foil, making sure to cover the edges. Place a wire baking rack on top of the baking sheet and spray it with cooking spray.
- Prepare the glaze. In a small bowl mix the brown sugar, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and maple syrup together until thick paste-like consistency forms.
- Arrange the bacon. Place each piece of bacon on the prepared baking sheet, making sure to not overlap the pieces.
- Spread the glaze on the bacon. Using a pastry brush slather the glaze on both sides of the bacon trying to coat it evenly.
- Bake. Place the bacon in the oven to bake for 15 minutes. Then rotate the pan and cook for an additional 15 minutes until it becomes brown and crispy. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the bacon. When placing each strip of bacon on the wire rack don’t overlap it or crowd it. This will cause it to cook slower and not get as crispy.
- Using a wire rack is key. Cover a rimmed baking sheet with foil and fit a wire rack on top. This is key for cooking perfectly crispy bacon with even flavor.
- Use thick-cut bacon: Thick-cut bacon works best for million-dollar bacon as it can hold up to the sweet and spicy coating and gets nice and crispy in the oven.
- Watch the bacon closely: Keep an eye on the bacon as it bakes, as it can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly. Check on it every few minutes to make sure it’s cooking evenly.
Storage Information
- Freezing Instructions – If you want to store the bacon for a longer period, you can freeze it. Wrap the bacon tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating Instructions – When you’re ready to reheat the bacon, remove it from the refrigerator or freezer and let it come to room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. Preheat your oven to 325°F (190°C) and place the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 5-10 minutes, or until the bacon is warmed through and the coating is crispy again.
