Bacon Crackers

These easy Bacon Crackers are pure snack perfection! Smoky, salty, sweet and savory – these four-ingredient candied bacon crackers are perfectly caramelized, crispy and crave-worthy. A crowd favorite for holidays, game day or any casual get-together. One bite and you’ll see why!

Looking for more appetizers to wow the crowd? Here are some of our favorites: Chex Mix Recipe, Deviled Eggs and these Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels!

Candied Bacon Crackers

Salty, savory, smoky and a touch of sweetness makes these Bacon Crackers the ultimate snack for game day, holiday parties or movie night. There’s something absolutely magical about the combination of crispy bacon, buttery crackers, and a touch of sweetness and spice. Easy to make and absolutely addictive, every bite is the perfect balance of sweet, salty and spicy!

These candied bacon crackers are baked to perfection until the bacon turns crisp and caramelized, creating a snack that disappears as fast as you can serve it! What makes this recipe so irresistible is its simplicity. With just four ingredients, you can whip up a tray of these in no time. No fancy ingredients, limited prep time, nothing complicated at all. Assemble, bake, devour!

Why You’ll Love This Bacon Crackers Recipe

You won’t believe how quickly these Bacon Crackers come together… and how fast they disappear! Here’s why this recipe is always a crowd favorite:

• 4 Ingredients: Hard to believe these tasty bacon brown sugar crackers have just four ingredients! Simple pantry staples come together for an incredible flavor explosion.
• Balanced: Perfect balance of flavors. Buttery, salty, sweet, and spicy all in one bite.
• Easy: Easy to prep and bake. No mess, no fuss. Just pure deliciousness in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile: These crackers are perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a party, game day, or holiday appetizer, these crackers always steal the show.

Once you try them, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. They’re just that good.

What You’ll Need

With just four ingredients in the entire recipe, each ingredient plays an important role in creating that irresistible flavor and texture combination:

• Club Crackers: These buttery crackers form the perfect crispy base and hold up beautifully under the bacon and sugar. Other options could be Ritz or Saltine crackers.
• Center-Cut Bacon: Slightly leaner than regular bacon but still packed with flavor — it crisps up nicely without too much grease.
• Brown Sugar: Adds a rich, caramel sweetness that balances out the saltiness of the bacon and crackers. Choose from dark or light brown sugar. Both are good here; the dark will be a little sweeter than the light. No matter which one you choose, it will still give the bacon a candied effect.
• Cajun Seasoning: Brings a little heat and a savory depth that keeps every bite exciting. Adjust the amount to your spice preference. You could swap in smoked paprika to keep the crackers sweet but not spicy.

How To Make Bacon Crackers

Meet your new favorite party snack! These Bacon Crackers combine buttery, crispy crackers with sweet brown sugar and a kick of Cajun spice all wrapped up in smoky bacon goodness. You won’t believe how easy and dangerously good they are!

1. Cut the bacon into thirds.
2. Arrange the crackers upside down on the racks.
3. Top each cracker with a piece of bacon.
4. Sprinkle the bacon with brown sugar and Cajun seasoning.
5. Bake at 350°F for 25-30 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
6. Separate and serve.

Storage Information

These crackers are best served and enjoyed fresh but leftovers can be stored and reheated as follows:

• Refrigerator: Bacon Crackers should be stored in an airtight container or large Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
• To Freeze: Place them in an airtight container or a freezer-safe Ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for 30 minutes. Note that they will not be as good as they are fresh, and the crackers could become soggy when defrosted. 
• To Reheat: Place in the air fryer at 350°F for 4 to 6 minutes or in the oven at 300°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Variations To Try

You can easily customize these Bacon Crackers to suit your taste or the occasion!

• Swap the Cajun seasoning for smoked paprika for a milder but flavorful option.
• Drizzle a bit of maple syrup over the bacon before baking for added sweetness.
• Sprinkle a touch of shredded cheddar or Parmesan on top before baking.
• Add a dash of cayenne pepper or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Do I have to use the cooling racks, or can I place the crackers directly on the sheet pans?

It is important to use the cooling racks. If you don’t, the crackers will burn before the bacon can cook completely. As the bacon cooks, it will release its fats, and the grease will absorb into the cracker. If it is in direct contact with the sheet pan, it will fry the cracker and cause it to burn. Whereas, on the cooling rack, the heat and air can circulate the cracker as it absorbs the bacon fat and flavors and crisps the cracker back up. You can find baking sheets like this one that come with a rack – I have several of these for recipes just like this one.

Can I make these even more spicy?

A sprinkle of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes is an easy way to increase the heat factor. Another option would be to drizzle them with hot honey after they come out. It will increase the sweetness and the heat that way – so good!

What is the best way to cut the bacon up?

Bacon can be slippery and difficult to cut evenly for some. A couple of tricks for achieving more even cuts are to use kitchen scissors to cut the bacon or partially freeze it for 15-20 minutes and then slice. The colder your bacon is, the firmer it becomes, making it easier to cut.

Could I use longer strips and wrap the bacon around the crackers

Yes, you can wrap the bacon around the cracker, but note that you may need to increase the baking time to allow the bacon to fully cook, as there will be more of it.

Trish’s Tips

• Use center-cut bacon in this bacon crackers recipe. Two purposes: it’s less greasy and crisps up beautifully.
• Keep an eye on the crackers near the end of baking. You want to keep in mind that ovens vary, and you want that perfect golden crisp without burning.
• Double or triple the batch for a party or crowd! These disappear fast.
• Let the crackers cool for 5 minutes before serving. They firm up as they cool and are easier to handle.

More Recipes for Bacon Lovers

1. Bacon Wrapped Dates
2. Cheddar Bacon Pinwheels
3. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Teriyaki Bites
4. Jalapeno Popper Bites
5. Bacon Ranch Cheesy Bread