This honey jalapeno bacon recipe has everything you love about bacon, only better. There’s brown sugar and honey plus jalapeno peppers for that sweet heat then a sprinkling of cheddar cheese for the perfect balance. A simple recipe for Christmas brunch!
Bacon is great. Does it really need to be improved? Dare I say, occasionally, yes.
This is not the bacon you will quickly make on a rushed morning but this honey jalapeno bacon recipe is one I would definitely keep in mind for a celebratory brunch or even as a perfect snack for football season.
A few years ago I made my first ever “fancy bacon” recipe and have now experimented with all kinds of candied bacon variations. This recipe, however, is special. We are not just adding a little honey to crispy bacon but topping it with small pieces of hot peppers and cheddar cheese.
It’s just as yummy, indulgent, and delicious as it sounds. A great addition to a fancy holiday brunch or big game party.
Ingredients
- Thick cut bacon strips. The kind of bacon is important. If the bacon slice is too thin, it won’t hold up to all the toppings. The thickness of the bacon should be at least 1/4-inch.
- Honey
- Brown sugar
- Jalapeños. Make sure to use fresh peppers.
- Sharp cheddar cheese
How To Make This Recipe
step one
Prep for cooking. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
step two
Coat bacon. Place each slice of bacon in a single layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle brown sugar on both sides of the bacon. Press into the bacon to adhere.
step three
Top and bake. Evenly divide the cheddar cheese among the strips of bacon. With a small spoon drizzle the honey over the bacon then sprinkle the minced jalapeños on top. Bake until crispy around the edges but still flexible in the middle, about 25-30 minutes. The cook time is not as important as the way they look. They should be nicely browned and crisp and sizzly.
step four
Enjoy! Remove immediately to a paper towel lined plate and let cool 5 minutes then serve! This spicy bacon is excellent at breakfast with something sweet like pancakes but I was also thinking it might be fun to cut them into smaller pieces and serve as an easy recipe for holiday cocktail parties or game day parties instead the more traditional jalapeño poppers.
Storage/Make-ahead: This really is a make it and eat it kind of recipe. If you want to make it ahead for a party, assemble the bacon, but don’t bake it until you are ready to serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the microwave or in a 350°F oven but it won’t be as good as the first time around. The cheese tends to get rubbery when reheated.
Controlling the Spice Level
If you are sensitive to heat, lower the amount of jalapeño or remove the seeds and white ribs of the peppers before mincing them.
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What’s not to love? This would be a perfect addition to any get-together, even it’s just Sunday breakfast with the family. I hope you try it out and if you do, let me know how it went. Share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so that I can see your stuff. Leave a comment below (don’t forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating)! Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!
Honey Jalapeño Bacon with Cheddar
This honey jalapeno bacon recipe has everything you love about bacon, only better. There's brown sugar and honey plus jalapeno peppers for that sweet heat then a sprinkling of cheddar cheese for the perfect balance. A simple recipe for Christmas brunch!
Ingredients
- 12 ounces thick cut bacon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 jalapeno, minced
Instructions
- Prep for baking. Heat oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Coat with brown sugar. Sprinkle about a teaspoon of brown sugar per side on each slice of bacon. Press to adhere.
- Add remaining toppings. Evenly divide cheese among the bacon slices. Then drizzle with the honey (about 1/2 teaspoon per slice) and finally the jalapeño.
- Bake. Bake as little as 15 and up to 35 minutes, until bacon is a deep, crisp, sizzling brown — this varies a lot between brands. Check in on the early end, and then every 5 minutes thereafter, to get the color and crisp just right.
- Cool and serve. Remove right away from the baking sheet. If you wait more than 5 minutes the bacon will stick and won't come off. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate and let cool 5 minutes before serving. Bacon will stick a little to the paper towel, so remove gently. Enjoy!
Notes
- Bacon: Use thick-cut bacon for this recipe. Thin bacon won't hold up to the toppings, plus I like the bacon to keep a bit of chewiness.
- Cheddar: Grate your own cheddar instead of using pre-grated. It will stick better to the bacon. Add the cheddar before the honey otherwise it will fall off.
- Sticking: Remove the bacon slices right away from the baking sheet to prevent sticking. The bacon will also stick a little to the paper towel so pull it away gently.
- Make-ahead. If making for a party, prepare through step 3, wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. You can do this up to a day in advance. Bake and enjoy!
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