Sweet, salty, sticky, and smoky – this Coca Cola Bacon is a flavor-packed twist on your usual breakfast side. It only takes a few extra ingredients to take your bacon up a notch, making it perfect for brunch, burgers, or snack boards!
I first made this recipe on a whim, and now I know that something magical happens when you combine bacon and Coca Cola! The glaze is super simple, but gives every strip a shiny, caramelized finish that crackles when you bite into it. The result is sweet, smoky, and crispy.
Cola candied bacon also makes a great gift or party snack—just cool completely and pack into a tin or wrap in parchment. Whether you’re serving it at brunch or using it to top a B.L.A.T. sandwich, this bacon brings a little extra wow to the table with minimal effort!
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Contents
Why You’ll Go Hog Wild for This Recipe
Easy to make: You just whisk up a three-ingredient glaze, dip your bacon, and bake—no stovetop splattering or complicated steps. The oven does all the hard work for you, leaving you with perfectly crispy, candy-like bacon.
Unexpectedly delicious: The cola adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness, while the brown sugar enhances the caramelization. The combination of sweet and salty with that slight smokiness from the bacon is irresistible!
A guaranteed crowd-pleaser: Serve this coca cola bacon at brunch or a game day spread, and it’ll disappear fast!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s a picture of what you’ll need to make Coca-Cola Bacon:
1/2 cup brown sugar – Light or dark both work. Dark brown sugar will give you a deeper caramel flavor.
1/4 cup cola – Regular Coca-Cola (not diet) works best for sweetness and caramelization! A glass coke bottle is great because it contains real sugar, but coke made with corn syrup will also work.
1/4 teaspoon cola flavoring – Just a little bit really brings out the cola flavor. If you can’t find it, you can skip it or swap with a tiny splash of vanilla extract.
1 pound bacon – Use regular sliced bacon or thick-cut. Regular will be slightly more crispy, but either work well!
Kitchen Equipment
Here’s what you’ll need to prepare the recipe:
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Parchment paper
- Shallow bowl
- Whisk
- Paper towels
- Metal spatula
Step by Step Instructions
STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and top the foil with a sheet of parchment paper.
STEP TWO: In a shallow dish, whisk together the brown sugar, cola, and cola flavoring.
STEP THREE: Dip each piece of bacon into the glaze, and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
*Pro Tip – Pat bacon strips dry with paper towels before dipping in the glaze so it will adhere better.
STEP FOUR: Bake, turning once halfway through cooking, until bacon is crispy and the glaze is candied, about 20 minutes.
Note: Your cooking time may vary, depending on how your oven cooks and the thickness of your bacon. Watch the bacon carefully during the last few minutes of cooking so it doesn’t burn.
STEP FIVE: Use a metal spatula to remove each piece of bacon, and transfer to a piece of parchment paper to cool. The bacon will firm up as it rests.
STEP SIX: Once the bacon is cooled, dab any excess grease with paper towels. Makes 12 to 15 Cola Bacon strips.
What to Serve with Cola Bacon
There are so many fun ways to serve Coca Cola bacon beyond just the breakfast plate. Try it on mini BLT sliders for a sweet and savory bite-sized twist, or chop it up and mix it into mini bacon and cheese quiches.
It’s also perfect alongside maple bacon pancakes—double the bacon, double the fun! Add a few slices to a breakfast charcuterie board for the perfect brunch spread, or crumble it into a chicken bacon ranch salad for a pop of sweetness and crunch. It even holds its own on an Irish burger, paired with cheddar, sautéed onions, and a fried egg for a seriously filling meal!
FAQs
Yes! Bake the bacon as directed and let it cool completely. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days, then reheat briefly in the oven to crisp it back up before serving.
Technically yes, but watch it closely—it tends to cook faster and won’t get quite as crispy. The glaze will still add great flavor, but I always recommend using pork bacon if possible.
It’s sweet, yes—but balanced by the saltiness and savory flavor of the bacon.
More Candied Bacon Recipes
If you love candied bacon as much as we do, you’ve gotta try our other recipes!
Billionaire Bacon – Bacon coated in brown sugar, cayenne, and black pepper for a bold, spicy kick.
Million Dollar Bacon – A brunch favorite made with maple syrup, brown sugar, and ground red pepper—sweet, spicy, and perfectly crispy.
Maple Candied Bacon – Sweet and sticky with rich maple flavor, this version is ideal for breakfast boards or a smoky dessert garnish.
Cracked Bacon – Glazed with brown sugar and cinnamon, this bacon has a bite that balances sweet and savory just right.
Jalapeño Bacon – Smoky bacon meets spicy jalapeño slices for a fiery twist on a classic favorite.
Bourbon Bacon – Made with a bourbon and brown sugar glaze, this bacon is rich, sweet, and a little bit boozy—perfect for special occasions.
Honey Bacon – This version uses honey for a mellow sweetness that pairs beautifully with salty bacon.
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Candied Cola Bacon
Equipment
- rimmed baking sheet
- aluminum foil
- parchment paper
- shallow bowl
- Whisk
- paper towels
- metal spatula
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup cola
- 1/4 teaspoon cola flavoring
- 1 pound sliced bacon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and top the foil with a sheet of parchment paper.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the brown sugar, cola, and cola flavoring.
- Dip each piece of bacon into the glaze, and arrange on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake, turning once halfway through cooking, until bacon is crispy and the glaze is candied, about 20 minutes. (Your cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your bacon.)
- Use a metal spatula to remove each piece of bacon, and transfer to a piece of parchment paper to cool. The bacon will firm up as it rests.
- Once the bacon is cooled, dab any excess grease with paper towels. Makes 12 to 15 Cola Bacon strips.
Notes
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
Whenever you come back to this recipe, you’ll be able to see your notes!
Nutrition
Got questions? Just ask! I’m happy to help.
If you post your creations on social media, tag #BENSABaconLovers so I can share! Thank you for your support. – Eliza
Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist, and any nutritional information should be used as a general guideline.
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