Sweet and Peppery Bacon Recipe – Crispy Brown Sugar and Black Pepper Bacon Strips

Difficulty:

2/5

Serves:

4 PEOPLE

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Sweet and Peppery Bacon Recipe

If you love the irresistible combination of sweet and savory flavors, this Sweet and Peppery Bacon is a must-try recipe. Featured on Everyday Excellent with Vanessa Gianfrancesco, this dish takes classic thick-cut bacon and elevates it with a caramelized brown sugar crust and a bold finish of freshly cracked black pepper. The result is a perfect balance of crispy, salty, sweet, and peppery notes in every bite.

Unlike ordinary pan-fried bacon, baking this bacon in the oven ensures even cooking, perfect crispiness, and minimal mess. It’s a foolproof method that allows you to make a small batch for breakfast or a larger batch for entertaining, all without constant attention.

The Inspiration

The inspiration for this recipe comes from the timeless appeal of combining sweet and savory flavors. Bacon, naturally rich and salty, pairs beautifully with brown sugar, which caramelizes in the oven to create a crunchy, flavorful coating. Freshly cracked black pepper adds depth, a subtle heat, and a hint of spice that cuts through the richness of the bacon.

This flavor combination has become popular in modern brunch menus and appetizer platters, turning a familiar breakfast staple into a sophisticated treat. Whether served alongside eggs, pancakes, or on a charcuterie board, this Sweet and Peppery Bacon brings excitement to any meal.

Ingredients

8 strips thick cut bacon
½ cup brown sugar
Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Methods

Preheat the oven to 400 F (204 C).
Place a wire rack in a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Lay out the bacon strips on the wire rack. Sprinkle brown sugar over each bacon strip followed by freshly cracked black pepper.
Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Sweet and Peppery Bacon is incredibly versatile and can enhance a variety of meals. For breakfast or brunch, serve it alongside scrambled eggs, waffles, pancakes, or French toast to add a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. It also works beautifully as an appetizer, placed on a platter with cheeses, crackers, or roasted vegetables for a simple yet elegant snack. For salads or sandwiches, chopped strips of this bacon bring a bold, caramelized crunch to spinach salads with walnuts and cranberries or layered sandwiches and burgers.

Additionally, it can be featured on party platters or charcuterie boards alongside fresh fruits, nuts, and dips, impressing guests with minimal effort. The combination of caramelized brown sugar, salty bacon, and a hint of black pepper creates a flavor profile that pairs well with both sweet and savory accompaniments, making it a standout addition to any meal or snack.

Final Thoughts

This Sweet and Peppery Bacon recipe is proof that simple ingredients can create extraordinary results. Baking thick-cut bacon with brown sugar and freshly cracked black pepper transforms a classic breakfast staple into a sophisticated dish with irresistible crunch and bold flavor.

Ideal for breakfast, brunch, and entertaining, this recipe is quick, easy, and mess-free, delivering a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and spicy notes in every bite. Whether served on its own, paired with eggs, or featured on a charcuterie board, Sweet and Peppery Bacon is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Find more recipes from Everyday Excellent here!