Bacon. Need I really say more? These sweet and salty candied bacon crackers are made with buttery crackers, crispy bacon, and brown sugar that caramelizes in the oven. They're incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to disappear fast.
"Bacon on a cracker with brown sugar and a little spiciness? I'll take the whole tray! YUMMMMMMMY!!"
★★★★★-Karrie
I knew this recipe would be a hit for the men. What man doesn't like bacon? Add in the crunch and I have won them over. That is why these bacon crackers make a great tailgate food for your football parties.
What I was surprised by was how many women love this recipe. I made a batch for my sweet Garden Club ladies when I was co-hosting one of our meetings. I was responsible for the food; big surprise right? They don't eat much typically, so I thought I would be stuck with a bunch of leftovers.
Those little women ate everyone of those crackers. They loved them. I was asked repeatedly for the recipe. I was so pleased.
When you make these, don't blame me for becoming addicted! This bacon cracker recipe make a great appetizer, tailgate dish, and party food. You are going to love them! You are welcome!
Everyone loves this naughty little indulgence. They are so good everyone will leave asking for the recipe. Enjoy! Xoxo -Katie.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
This is what you need to make them.
- Club Crackers- Some people use ritz, but I find these to be the best.
- Bacon- use a thinner bacon. If it is too thick, it will take too long to cook and the crackers will burn. Or the bacon will not candy correctly
- Brown Sugar-use generously. As it melts it will harden and candy the bacon.
- Red Pepper Flakes- optional. I like sweet and spicy. For mild, omit the peppers.
- Pepper-adds just another small level of flavor
*Full recipe with ingredient measurements is located at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.
Watch how to make candied bacon crackers
Steps
Follow these easy steps to make candied bacon crackers.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Top it with wire rack.
- Align crackers on a wire rack set.
- Cut bacon into thirds or fourths depending on the length of your cracker and the bacon. Place a piece of bacon in the center of each club cracker length wise.
- Sprinkle enough brown sugar on each slice of bacon to completely cover the bacon. (This will caramelize and stick the bacon to the cracker.)
- If you like a bit of heat with your sweet, sprinkle a small amount of red pepper chili flakes and pepper on each cracker.
- Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until brown sugar is melted and bacon is crisp.
- Allow crackers to cool before serving.
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Baking Tip
If you do not use the rack, you will burn your crackers by the time the bacon is cooked. The parchment paper or tin foil helps with the mess and clean up.
If you don't have a wire rack that fits in a baking sheet, try this one: Goson Bakeware Baking, Cooling , Oven Roasting, Broiler Rack, 8in by 10in, Cross Wire, Chrome, Pack of 2, Compatible with Various Baking Sheets Oven Pans
Cooking Tip
Love a little extra heat? For a spicier variation, top bacon with a thin slice of jalapeño before adding the brown sugar. The jalapeño will caremalize with the bacon for an added spicy twist.
How do you store leftovers?
Candied bacon crackers are best served fresh the day you make them. However, if you have leftovers, place in airtight container or ziplock bag and refrigerate up to 2 days. When ready to eat, reheat them in the oven at 300 degrees until warm and crispy.
Like this recipe? Try some of these other bacon recipe favorites:
- Maple Glazed Bacon Cream Cheese Danish
- Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Manchego
- Bacon, Fig Jam, and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
- Loaded Potato Skins
- Bison, Bacon, and Pot Roast Paleo Chili
- Instant Pot Southern Fried Cabbage
- Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
Please leave me a comment below if you make these candied bacon crackers and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your crackers on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Candied Bacon Crackers- Sweet & Salty Party Appetizer
Ingredients
- 30 Townhouse or Club crackers rectangle shape
- 8-10 slices of bacon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes optional
- pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Top it with wire rack.
- Align 30 clubhouse crackers on a wire rack set.
- Cut 8-10 slices of bacon into thirds or fourths depending on the length of your cracker and the bacon. Place a piece of bacon in the center of each cracker length wise.
- Sprinkle enough brown sugar on each slice of bacon to completely cover the bacon. (This will caramelize and stick the bacon to the cracker.
- If you like a bit of heat with your sweet, sprinkle a small amount of red pepper chili flakes and pepper on each cracker.
- Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until brown sugar is melted and bacon is crisp.
- Allow crackers to cool before serving.
Julie says
I sprinkled them with a smokey and slightly spicy bbq rub instead of pepper and red pepper flakes. I took them to a bar for football Sunday and people went absolutely nuts. I always over-do and I took about 100 and they were gone. Making them today (by direct request) for the Big Game 😉
Erin Graham says
Can you make these with pre-cooked bacon?
Katie Crenshaw says
You can use precooked bacon, but I don't recommend it. Precooked bacon won’t give you quite the same flavor or texture. Fresh bacon renders its fat as it cooks, which is what crisps up the crackers and melts the sugar into that caramelized, candied magic.
If you do use precooked bacon, I recommend brushing or lightly spraying it with a little bacon grease or butter before baking so it doesn’t dry out and the sugar has something to cling to.
Shelby says
These were great! I didn't get a picture because they were almost eaten raw because I prepared them, left the room for a moment, came back to then put them in the oven and my best friend was stopping one of the guys from eating them raw. He just saw bacon on crackers. I actually made them and they were getting eaten as I was carrying them out to the dining room straight from the oven. Huge hit! Thank you!
Kelly Evans says
These came out great. I sprinkled on crushed red pepper and ground cayenne pepper. Sweet and salty at it's finest.
Brenda says
Great taste and so simple. Big hit at family gathering!
Lisa says
Can you make these crackers were thick cut bacon?
Katie Crenshaw says
I don't recommend thick bacon. In my experience, it takes longer to cook, and by the time it's done, the crackers begin to burn in the process.
Sheri Lund says
I’m taking these to a party in a long oval appetizer crockpot. I will make them immediately before I leave. Will they get soggy on warm in the crockpot? They will be on a warm setting for at least 2-4 hours. Yes, I’ll crack the lid. Any other ideas? Ty
Katie Crenshaw says
They will bet soggy in the crockpot. However, you can eat them at room temperature. They are not meant to be served warm.
Kathy says
These were a hit at a family gathering. I didn’t make many, not knowing how they’d go over. My mistake. I should have made a lot more. I made these exactly as directed but I recommend spraying the baking rack with non stick spray first.
John says
Great snack can't go wrong
Tami Johnson says
My friend group calls these “crack crackers”. Everyone loves!
Terri says
Do these bacon crackers freeze well??
Ii made a giant batch for a get together and then didn’t go.
I can’t eat the entire batch, even though I do love them.
Katie Crenshaw says
You can, however they won't be as good as making them fresh. Freeze them in an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw the crackers, and reheat 10-15 minutes at 300 degrees.
Rita Nims says
I didn’t see oven temperature listed.
Katie Crenshaw says
Hi! The actual recipe card is at the end of the post. You will bake the crackers at 350 degrees.
Donna Lynne says
Thank you, I was looking for oven temp. 🙂
Matt Freund says
These are yummy
Nancy Klepper says
Hi! How do you recommend storing them if you're not going to serve them right away?
Katie Crenshaw says
They are fine to be made a couple hours ahead and stored in a ziplock or air tight container at room temperature. If you are storing for several hours, you can store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. However, you will need to reheat them in the oven for a few minutes before serving. They are best served the day of. They are good up to 3 days, but each day passing they will begin to loose their crispiness and flavor. For this reason, I suggest serving the day of.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After says
Bacon on a cracker with brown sugar and a little spiciness? I'll take the whole tray! YUMMMMMMMY!!