Smoked bacon candy speaks for itself, but it’s hard to beat the combination of sweet maple syrup, Jeff’s original rub, and crispy bacon. Add a touch of smoky goodness, and it’s a flavor explosion that’s sure to leave you speechless. I recently made 4 pounds of this at home, and my crew devoured it in no time!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb thick-sliced bacon
- ¼ cup Jeff’s original rub
- 8 ounces real maple syrup
- 1 cup dark brown sugar (preferred for best flavor)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Season the Bacon: Separate the bacon slices and layer them in a lidded container. Drizzle maple syrup and sprinkle rub between each layer. Use a brush to spread the syrup evenly before adding the rub. Once all the bacon is layered with syrup and rub, cover the container and refrigerate overnight to marinate.
- Prepare to Smoke: The next day, set up a jerky rack or Bradley racks to lay out the bacon, ensuring there’s space between each piece for the smoke to circulate and prevent sticking. Before smoking, sprinkle more rub and brown sugar on top of the bacon.
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C) with indirect heat. If your smoker has a water pan, fill it up.
- Smoke the Bacon: Once the smoker is ready, place the bacon inside and let it smoke for 1 hour. After 1 hour, flip the bacon pieces and ensure they’re not touching. Brush on additional maple syrup and sprinkle with more brown sugar. Smoke for another hour.
- Finish and Cool: After the second hour, remove the bacon from the smoker and immediately place it on parchment paper. Let it cool for about 30 minutes for the best results.
- Serve: Break the bacon into halves or thirds and enjoy the irresistible candy-like crunch!
