Save to Pinterest My sister brought a plate of these to a holiday party years ago, and I watched them disappear faster than the deviled eggs. She wouldn't share her secret until months later—it was just bacon, brown sugar, and cinnamon baked until the edges turned glossy and crisp. I've made them countless times since, and they've become my answer to "what should I bring?" when I'm running short on time but want to impress.
I made these for a brunch last spring when my neighbor asked what I was bringing, and I said "something no one will forget to eat." She thought I was joking until she bit into one and her eyes went wide. That batch earned me a permanent spot on the brunch rotation, which honestly beats any compliment I could ask for.
Ingredients
- Thick-cut bacon (12 slices): The thicker the bacon, the better it holds its shape when twisted and won't shrivel into nothing in the oven.
- Light brown sugar (1/3 cup, packed): This is where the caramel magic happens—it melts into the bacon fat and creates that irresistible glossy coating.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Warm and subtle, it bridges sweet and savory without overpowering the bacon.
- Cayenne pepper (1/8 teaspoon, optional): A tiny pinch adds a whisper of heat that makes people wonder what the secret ingredient is.
Instructions
- Prepare your stage:
- Heat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, then set a wire rack on top. The rack lets heat circulate underneath so the bacon crisps evenly instead of steaming in its own fat.
- Mix your spice blend:
- In a shallow dish, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cayenne if you're using it. The shallow dish makes dredging easier and keeps the mixture contained.
- Coat each slice:
- Press each bacon slice into the sugar mixture, turning it over to coat both sides evenly. You'll notice the sugar clinging to the bacon—that's exactly what you want.
- Twist and arrange:
- Take each slice and twist it gently several times to form a loose spiral, then lay them on the wire rack with space between each one. They need room to crisp up without steaming each other.
- Finish the coating:
- Sprinkle any leftover spiced sugar over the twists. This extra bit caramelizes into those irresistible crunchy edges.
- Bake until golden:
- Slide into the oven for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the tray halfway through to ensure even browning. You're looking for bacon that's crisp and the sugar that's turned a deeper caramel color.
- Cool and set:
- Let them rest for 5 minutes on the rack so the caramelized coating hardens into that satisfying crunch. This moment of patience is worth it.
Save to Pinterest There's a moment when these come out of the oven and the kitchen fills with that smoky-sweet smell that makes everyone suddenly appear in your kitchen. My kids used to negotiate over the end pieces, so now I always make extra.
Flavor Combinations Worth Trying
Once you master the basic version, small tweaks open up new territory. I've played with maple sugar instead of brown sugar, which gives a deeper, more sophisticated sweetness that pairs beautifully with the smoke. A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth, and one adventurous attempt with smoked paprika created something that felt almost Spanish, which sounds odd but somehow worked.
Making Them Ahead
These are actually better made a few hours in advance because the coating continues to firm up and the flavors settle. You can store them in an airtight container for up to two days, and they reheat beautifully in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes if they've lost any crispness. I've learned to always make double what I think I'll need because they vanish faster than anything else on the table.
Serving Ideas and Final Thoughts
Serve them warm or at room temperature, on their own as an appetizer, alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for brunch, or crumbled over a bitter green salad for unexpected crunch and sweetness. These twists have taught me that sometimes the simplest ideas, when executed with care, become the ones people actually remember.
- For extra heat, double the cayenne or add a pinch of black pepper to the mix.
- Try wrapping them in parchment paper cones for a fancy presentation at parties.
- Always use thick-cut bacon—thin bacon won't hold its shape when twisted.
Save to Pinterest These spiced bacon twists proved to me that great food doesn't need to be complicated. It just needs good ingredients and a little attention to detail.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What type of bacon works best for these twists?
Thick-cut bacon slices hold their shape best and develop a nice crisp texture when twisted and baked.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, increase or omit the cayenne pepper in the sugar mixture to control how much heat you want.
- → How do I prevent the bacon from sticking to the pan?
Using a wire rack on top of a baking sheet helps air circulate and prevents sticking while cooking evenly.
- → Can I substitute the brown sugar with another sweetener?
Maple sugar or coconut sugar can be used as alternatives to bring a different sweetness and depth.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat briefly to regain crispness.