This Traeger Applewood Smoked Bacon is cooked to perfection and can be served two ways including candied bacon! Feel free to drizzle the pork in maple syrup and brown sugar for a delicious twist. This can be made with any smoker or pellet grill using the perfect temperature.
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If you don’t have a smoker, another way I love to cook bacon is using my Air Fryer Bacon recipe.
I’ve always loved the flavor and taste of smoked bacon. Candied bacon is always a nice treat to enjoy from time to time, I love the combination of maple and savory, see also my Maple Glazed Salmon and Maple BBQ Wings.
A friend of mine (hey Jamel!) mentioned adding maple syrup in addition to brown sugar and it was something I tried and enjoyed! Keep reading for more details.
What Type of Bacon to Use
I love to use thick-cut. Bacon shrinks when cooked, so why not go all out? Thick cut bacon will fit easily over the grill grates. Any cut of bacon will work.
Candied Bacon with Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar
Light brown sugar or brown monkfruit sweetener works great for candied bacon. Plain granulated sugar does not caramelize well. Dark brown has more molasses than light brown sugar, but it will work.
Aside from brown monkfruit, I have not tested any other zero calorie sweeteners. In general, I wouldn’t recommend any other sweeteners for this process.
For the maple syrup, I love to use a thick syrup. I use this zero calorie version made with monkfruit. If you using standard syrup, I recommend 100% organic maple syrup. It’s the real deal and will provide much better flavor than something like pancake syrup.
What Type of Wood/Pellets to Use
Apple, hickory, cherry, and maple will work well.
How to Make Bacon on the Traeger
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- If preparing candied bacon, brush the maple syrup over the bacon and sprinkle the brown sugar or sweetener throughout.
- Place the bacon on the grates of the smoker.
- Smoke.
Smoker Temperature
I like to cook the bacon low and slow at 225 degrees for immense flavor. You can also cook it 325 degrees for a faster cook time. This resulted in a less smoky flavor for me.
How Long to Cook it/How to Tell When it’s Done
At 225 the bacon needed 2 hours to reached my desired crisp texture. At 325 degrees you can cook the bacon in 30-45 minutes. In general, cook it however long you need to in order to reach your desired texture.
How to Store Leftover Bacon
Store the bacon in tightly covered and sealed in the fridge for 4-5 days.
How to Reheat Leftovers
The best way to reheat is using the oven or air fryer on 350 degrees until warm.
Pair With These Recipes
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Breakfast Crunchwrap
Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
Bacon Spinach Artichoke Dip
Twisted Bacon Recipe
More Traeger and Smoker Recipes
Smoked Mac and Cheese
Traeger Smoked Ham
Traeger Smoked Salmon
Traeger Smoked Chicken Breast
Smoked Salsa
Traeger Pulled Pork (Shoulder Butt)
Traeger Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Traeger Smoked Turkey
Traeger Smoked Ribs (3-2-1 Method)
Traeger Smoked Chicken Wings
Smoked Lobster Tail
Traeger Smoked Whole Chicken
Air Fryer Hash Browns
Traeger Smoked Brisket
Pair this with Fried Potatoes and Onions.
Traeger Smoked Bacon
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked bacon
Optional Candied Bacon (Maple Brown Sugar)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup The amount you will need will vary based on the size of your bacon and if you prepare an entire batch of candied bacon.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar or sweetener The amount you will need will vary based on the size of your bacon and if you prepare an entire batch of candied bacon.
Instructions
- Preheat the grill to 225 degrees.
- If preparing candied bacon, brush the maple syrup over the bacon and sprinkle the brown sugar or sweetener throughout.
- Place the bacon on the grates of the smoker. Smoke for 2 hours or until the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness.
- Remove the bacon and cool before serving.
Video
Notes
- I typically do half a batch of candied bacon and the remaining half as standard smoked bacon.
- Feel free to omit the maple syrup and just go with brown sugar or sweetener. I like the combination of both! You can also sprinkle it with pepper!
- Apple, hickory, cherry, and maple wood/pellets will work well.
- You can also cook it 325 degrees for a faster cook time. This resulted in a less smoky flavor for me.
- Air fryer bacon can be cooked at 380 degrees for 8-10 minutes, flip halfway through.
- Macros assume monkfruit sweetener for candied bacon. Feel free to use the macro calculator of your choice and branded ingredients you use in the recipe for your macros.
