Snackin' Bacon Recipe

Preheat and prepare pan

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top of the sheet. Lightly spray or brush the rack with oil to prevent sticking.

Cut and season bacon

Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise to make 24 shorter strips. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Brush or sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup onto each bacon half (this helps the sugar adhere), then press or sprinkle a light pinch of the brown sugar mixture onto one side of each piece so each has a sweet-spicy coating.

Form snack bites

Starting at one short end of a bacon half, roll it tightly into a spiral so the sugar-coated side is mostly on the outside. Secure each roll with a toothpick through the center. Place each roll seam-side down on the prepared wire rack, spacing them about 1/2 inch apart so hot air circulates.

Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 16–22 minutes, rotating the pan once at about 10 minutes, until the bacon is crisp at the edges and cooked through. Cooking time depends on thickness of bacon and desired crispness—thin-cut will be done sooner, thicker will need more time. Watch closely after 15 minutes to avoid burning the sugar topping.

Glaze and finish (optional)

If you want a shiny sticky finish, brush each hot bacon bite with the remaining maple syrup (reserve a little for dipping if desired) immediately after removing from oven. Sprinkle the chopped parsley and a few red pepper flakes over the warm bites for color and a hint of heat.

Cool and serve

Let the bacon bites rest on the rack for 3–5 minutes so they firm up slightly. Transfer to a serving plate. Remove toothpicks before placing in mouths of small children; otherwise serve with toothpicks for easy snacking.

While the bacon cooks, whisk maple mustard or Dijon with a teaspoon of maple syrup (if using) and a pinch of salt to taste. Spoon into a small bowl and garnish with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes and chopped parsley. Serve alongside the warm bacon bites for dipping.