Candied Bacon with Pecans on the Pit Boss Navigator

Sweet, smoky, salty, and just a little spicy, this Candied Bacon with Pecans recipe on the Pit Boss Navigator is one of those easy backyard cooks that disappears almost instantly. Whether you’re making it for brunch, game day, a holiday appetizer board, or just because you have a pack of good bacon in the fridge, this recipe delivers huge flavor with very little effort.

The Best Candied Bacon Recipe on the Pit Boss Navigator

There’s something about candied bacon that feels a little over the top in the best possible way. Crispy bacon already feels like a treat, but when you add brown sugar, maple syrup, seasoning, and chopped pecans, it becomes the kind of recipe people talk about long after dinner is over.

This version came together in our Colorado backyard on the Pit Boss Navigator pellet grill, and honestly, it might be one of the easiest recipes we’ve made lately. The twins were circling the grill waiting for pieces to come off, and Adam and I kept “testing” pieces as they cooked. By the time everything was done, we realized we probably should have doubled the batch.

The Pit Boss Navigator is perfect for recipes like this because the steady temperature and light smoke flavor help the bacon slowly render while the sugar caramelizes. Instead of burnt sugar or uneven cooking, you end up with perfectly sticky, smoky bacon that still has a little chew and crunch.

If you’ve never made candied bacon on a pellet grill before, this recipe is going to become a regular in your rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Candied Bacon Recipe

Sweet and Savory Flavor Combination

The combination of smoky bacon, rich maple syrup, brown sugar, and buttery pecans creates an incredible balance of flavors. The Pit Boss Cowboy Butter seasoning adds a subtle savory kick that keeps the bacon from becoming overly sweet.

Perfect for Parties and Holidays

Candied bacon is one of those recipes that works for almost any occasion. We’ve served versions of it during football games, holiday brunches, backyard parties, and even alongside burgers for dinner.

It also works great as part of a brunch spread with eggs, pancakes, waffles, or breakfast sandwiches.

Easy Pellet Grill Recipe

One of the best parts about cooking on the Pit Boss Navigator is how hands-off the process can be. Once the bacon is seasoned and on the grill, the pellet grill does most of the work for you.

There’s no standing over a pan splattering grease all over the kitchen.

Great Beginner Smoker Recipe

If you’re new to pellet grilling, this is an awesome recipe to start with. It’s simple, forgiving, and gives you a great introduction to how smoke flavor and indirect heat work together.

Plus, everyone loves bacon.

What Makes the Pit Boss Navigator Great for Candied Bacon

Over the past year, we’ve cooked a ton of meals on the Pit Boss Navigator. It’s become one of our favorite backyard cookers because it’s versatile, reliable, and easy to use for quick family meals.

Recipes like this really highlight why pellet grills are so useful.

Consistent Heat for Even Cooking

Candied bacon needs enough time for the fat to render and the sugar to caramelize. The Pit Boss Navigator holds steady temperatures really well, which helps avoid burnt spots or uneven cooking.

Light Smoke Flavor

Cooking bacon on the pellet grill adds just enough smoky flavor without overpowering the sweetness of the glaze. It tastes like breakfast and barbecue had the perfect crossover episode.

Easy Cleanup

We cooked this bacon on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet, which made cleanup dramatically easier. The bacon grease drips down below the rack while the bacon crisps evenly on all sides.

That setup works especially well on pellet grills.

Inspiration Behind This Candied Bacon Recipe

This recipe honestly started because we had a package of Snake River Farms Kurobuta bacon in the fridge and wanted to make something fun with it.

Snake River Farms bacon has incredible marbling and rich pork flavor, which makes it ideal for smoking and glazing. The thicker slices hold up beautifully during the cook and stay meaty even after caramelizing.

We’ve seen versions of candied bacon everywhere over the years, especially around holidays and brunch tables, but we wanted to make a version that leaned slightly savory and smoky instead of purely sugary.

That’s where the Pit Boss Cowboy Butter seasoning came in.

The seasoning adds buttery, peppery flavor with a little jalapeño and paprika in the mix, which balances the sweetness really nicely.

The chopped pecans were a last-minute addition, but they ended up adding great texture and a little nutty crunch that made the final bacon feel extra special.

Ingredients for Candied Bacon with Pecans

One of the best parts about this recipe is that it uses simple ingredients you may already have on hand.

Main Ingredients

• Thick cut bacon
• Brown sugar
• Maple syrup
• Chopped pecans
• Pit Boss Cowboy Butter seasoning

That’s it. Simple ingredients, huge flavor.

Why Thick Cut Bacon Works Best

For candied bacon recipes, thick cut bacon is absolutely the way to go.

Thin bacon cooks too quickly and can burn before the sugar has time to caramelize properly. Thick cut bacon gives you enough cooking time for the flavors to develop while still maintaining great texture.

We used Snake River Farms Kurobuta bacon for this recipe, which has incredible marbling and rich pork flavor.

What is Kurobuta Pork?

Kurobuta pork comes from Berkshire pigs and is known for its superior marbling, tenderness, and flavor. It’s often compared to Wagyu beef because of its rich texture and buttery mouthfeel.

For bacon recipes especially, that extra marbling creates incredible flavor and texture once cooked low and slow.

The Role of Maple Syrup in Candied Bacon

Maple syrup helps create that glossy, sticky exterior that makes candied bacon so irresistible.

As the bacon cooks, the syrup combines with the brown sugar and rendered bacon fat to form an incredible glaze.

We prefer real maple syrup here whenever possible because the flavor is deeper and less artificial than pancake syrup.

Don’t Overdo the Syrup

A light drizzle is all you need. Too much syrup can make the bacon overly sticky and prevent it from crisping properly.

Why Pecans Are the Perfect Addition

The chopped pecans might be our favorite part of this recipe.

They toast slightly while the bacon cooks and absorb some of the maple and bacon fat flavor. The result is crunchy, smoky, sweet little bites that pair perfectly with the bacon.

You could also try:

• Candied walnuts
• Chopped almonds
• Crushed pistachios

But pecans really feel right here.

The Importance of Seasoning

Adding seasoning to candied bacon helps balance all the sweetness.

The Pit Boss Cowboy Butter seasoning brought:

• Savory butter flavor
• Garlic notes
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Slight heat

That savory contrast keeps the bacon balanced and addictive instead of overwhelmingly sugary.

Equipment Used for This Recipe

Pit Boss Navigator Pellet Grill

The Pit Boss Navigator handled this cook perfectly. We cooked the bacon indirectly at a moderate temperature, allowing the sugar to caramelize slowly.

Wire Rack

Cooking bacon on a wire rack helps:

• Improve airflow
• Allow grease to drip away
• Create more even cooking
• Prevent soggy bacon bottoms

Baking Sheet

A foil-lined baking sheet underneath the rack catches grease and makes cleanup much easier.

Tongs

You’ll definitely want tongs for handling hot glazed bacon.

How to Make Candied Bacon on the Pit Boss Navigator

Step 1: Preheat the Grill

Preheat your Pit Boss Navigator pellet grill to 350°F. This temperature gives the bacon enough time to crisp while allowing the sugar and maple syrup to caramelize properly.

Step 2: Prepare the Bacon

Lay the bacon strips out on a wire rack set over a foil-lined baking sheet. Leave a little space between the slices so the heat and smoke can circulate evenly.

Step 3: Add the Seasoning

Sprinkle the bacon lightly with Pit Boss Cowboy Butter seasoning. You don’t need a heavy coating here because the bacon already brings a lot of salty flavor.

Step 4: Add Brown Sugar

Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the bacon strips. The brown sugar helps create the candy-like crust as it melts and caramelizes during cooking.

Step 5: Drizzle Maple Syrup

Lightly drizzle maple syrup over the bacon. Again, less is more here.

Step 6: Add Pecans

Scatter chopped pecans over the bacon strips. Some will fall off during cooking, but plenty will stick to the glaze.

Step 7: Smoke the Bacon

Place the tray in the Pit Boss Navigator and cook for approximately 30-40 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on:

• Bacon thickness
• Grill temperature consistency
• Desired crispness

Step 8: Cool Slightly Before Serving

The glaze will continue to set as the bacon cools slightly. Give it a few minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Candied Bacon

Use a Rack

Cooking directly on a pan can cause the bacon to sit in grease, which prevents crisping. The rack setup makes a huge difference.

Watch the Final Minutes Carefully

Sugar can burn quickly near the end of the cook. Once the bacon looks glossy and deep reddish-brown, start checking it frequently.

Let the Bacon Rest

Fresh off the grill, the glaze will still be soft. Resting for a few minutes helps everything firm up.

Use Good Bacon

This recipe is simple enough that the quality of the bacon really matters. A well-marbled thick cut bacon makes a huge difference.

What Wood Pellets Work Best?

We used a mild hardwood blend for this recipe, but several pellet options work well.

Recommended Pellet Flavors

Serving Ideas for Candied Bacon

One of the reasons we love this recipe is because it’s surprisingly versatile.

Serve It for Breakfast

Candied bacon is incredible alongside:

• Pancakes
• Waffles
• French toast
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Eggs

Add It to Burgers

A piece of candied bacon on a burger is next-level good. Especially with sharp cheddar and barbecue sauce.

Chop It Into Salads

The sweet smoky crunch works really well in salads with:

• Apples
• Blue cheese
• Pecans
• Spinach

Build a Brunch Board

Candied bacon looks amazing on brunch or charcuterie boards.

Pair It with Cocktails

This bacon would be incredible with:

• Old Fashioneds
• Bloody Marys
• Maple bourbon cocktails

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Families

As parents of twins, we’re always looking for recipes that feel impressive without requiring a ton of effort. This recipe checks all the boxes. It’s easy to prep, cooks mostly unattended, and can work for breakfast, snacks, parties, or dinner add-ons.

The kids loved helping sprinkle the pecans and brown sugar on top, which made it a fun backyard cooking project too.

Backyard Cooking in Colorado

Cooking year-round in Colorado definitely teaches you flexibility.

Even when temperatures swing wildly, the pellet grill makes outdoor cooking easy because the temperature control stays consistent. Recipes like this are perfect for cool mornings or evenings outside because the cook is simple and relatively quick.

There’s also something about bacon smoking in the backyard that immediately gets everyone wandering outside asking what’s cooking.

Common Questions About Candied Bacon

Can I Make Candied Bacon Ahead of Time?

Yes. Candied bacon reheats surprisingly well.

You can warm it in:

• A low oven
• Air fryer
• Pellet grill

How Do I Store Leftovers?

Store leftover bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Can I Use Different Nuts?

Absolutely. Walnuts, almonds, or pistachios would all work.

Can I Add Heat?

Definitely. Try adding:

• Cayenne pepper
• Hot honey
• Crushed red pepper flakes

Can I Make This in the Oven?

Yes, though the pellet grill adds incredible smoke flavor. Bake at 350°F on a rack until crisp.

Variations to Try

Spicy Candied Bacon

Add cayenne and hot honey for sweet heat.

Bourbon Maple Bacon

Mix a splash of bourbon into the maple syrup.

Brown Sugar Espresso Bacon

Add espresso powder to the sugar mixture for deeper flavor.

Candied Bacon Bites

Cut bacon into smaller pieces before cooking for snackable bites.

Why Pellet Grills Are Great for Bacon Recipes

Pellet grills are ideal for bacon because they combine:

• Indirect heat
• Smoke flavor
• Precise temperature control

Traditional stovetop bacon can burn quickly, while pellet grills allow for slower rendering and more balanced cooking.

The result is bacon that’s crisp, smoky, and evenly caramelized.

Other Great Recipes to Serve with Candied Bacon

If you’re building a brunch spread or backyard breakfast, here are some recipes that would pair perfectly with this one from JewCanQue:

Alternate Recipes to Link

• Gouda Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
• Bacon Jam
• Smoked Deviled Egg Dip
• Smoked Teryaki Beef Jerky
• Smoked-Fried Pork Belly

Products Used in This Cook

Pit Boss Navigator Pellet Grill

The Pit Boss Navigator delivered consistent heat and light smoke flavor that worked perfectly for candied bacon.

Snake River Farms Kurobuta Bacon

Rich, meaty bacon with excellent marbling.

Pit Boss Cowboy Butter Seasoning

A savory buttery seasoning blend with garlic, jalapeño, and paprika flavor.

Wire Cooling Rack

Essential for crispy bacon and easier cleanup.

Final Thoughts on Candied Bacon with Pecans

This Candied Bacon with Pecans recipe on the Pit Boss Navigator is one of those recipes that feels way fancier than the effort required to make it.

The combination of smoky bacon, maple syrup, brown sugar, savory seasoning, and crunchy pecans creates layers of flavor that work incredibly well together. It’s sweet without being overwhelming, smoky without overpowering the bacon itself, and just indulgent enough to feel special.

Whether you’re making this for brunch, a backyard party, holiday mornings, or just because you have a pack of bacon in the fridge, it’s the kind of recipe that people immediately ask about after the first bite.

And honestly, recipes like this are exactly why we love backyard cooking so much. Simple ingredients, easy process, great flavor, and a reason to gather around the grill together.

If you make this Candied Bacon with Pecans on your Pit Boss Navigator, let us know how it turns out! Tag @ThisJewCanQue on social media so we can see your backyard bacon creations.