Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top of it.
2. Arrange the bacon on top of the wire rack being careful not to overlap the bacon pieces. You can also cut the bacon slices in half crosswise for smaller servings, if desired. You may need more than one pan.
3. Combine the brown sugar, pecans, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper in a food processor and pulse several times to combine and finely chop the pecans. Drizzle in the maple syrup and pulse again to moisten.
4. Spoon some of the sugar mixture over each slice of bacon and use your fingers or the back of the spoon to spread it all over each slice of bacon until it has all been used up.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the topping is browned. Keep in mind that the bacon will crisp up a bit more as it cools. If you would like the bacon crispier, you can always cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, if desired.
6. Enjoy warm or at room temperature served either as an appetizer or snack. Or add to salads or sandwiches, or even use it on desserts like cakes, cookies, cupcakes, or brownies! Candied bacon is amazing with eggs, omeletts, eggs benedict, with cinnamon rolls, etc.