Maple Bacon Crack

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40 minutes

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This mouthwatering Maple Bacon Crack recipe is made with a highly addictive combination of sweet and savory flavors. Always a crowd favorite, it’s an irresistible balance of crispy bacon, brown sugar, sweet maple syrup, and flaky pastry in every delicious bite.

A tray of bacon crisps on top of a piece of parchment paper.
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Maple Bacon Crack Recipe

Super easy to make, this recipe delivers one of the most delicious appetizers ever! It starts with a flaky layer of crescent dough, topped with maple and brown sugar for the perfect amount of sweetness. Salty bacon pieces are added for a savory twist, then finished with another layer of maple and sugar that caramelizes beautifully when baked.

Whether enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or as a tasty appetizer, this maple bacon crack is guaranteed to leave you and your guests wanting more. Trust me, you’ll want to make a double batch because, after the first bite, no one can eat just one.

For other bacon appetizer recipes, try these Bacon Wrapped Smoked Sausage Bites and these Bacon Wrapped Meatballs.

A plate with slices of maple bacon crack

Why We Love this Recipe

  • Easy recipe: It only requires four simple ingredients and 15 minutes of prep time.
  • Loaded with flavor: The combination of ingredients gives each bite a smoky, sweet and salty flavor all in one.
  • Perfect for parties: First to go at any gathering, these bacon bites will have guests coming back for more.

Ingredients

Ingredients for maple bacon appetizer
  • Packaged crescent roll dough
  • Bacon
  • Brown sugar
  • Real maple syrup

How to Make Maple Bacon Crack

Step 1. Cook the bacon in the skillet just enough that it is almost done. Drain it and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.

Tip: When you cook your bacon, you’re looking for a dark pink color, and not quite crispy.  It will get the crunchy texture when you bake it in the oven. 

Bacon in a frying pan
Bacon on a napkin next to a bowl of syrup

Step 2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. You can spray with cooking spray instead, but the paper makes it easier to remove once cooked.

Step 3. Roll out the crescent roll dough and pinch seams to make a large, single sheet of pastry dough. You may have to stretch the dough to make it reach close to the edges of the pan.

Step 4. Prick the dough with a fork all over the top to prevent bubbling up when baked.

A baking sheet with a piece of pastry on it.
A sheet of pastry dough on a baking pan.

Step 5. Drizzle half of the maple syrup over the dough, then sprinkle about half of the brown sugar on the dough.

A baking sheet with crescent roll dough with syrup on it.
A baking sheet with crescent dough on it

Step 6. Add the chopped bacon and spread evenly over the dough.

Step 7. Drizzle the remaining maple syrup on top of the bacon, and top it off with the remaining brown sugar. 

A pizza with bacon and cheese in a pan on a table.
Maple bacon crack on baking sheet

Step 8. Bake for about 25 minutes, until bacon is crispy and caramelized. 

Step 9. Remove from the oven and allow the pan to cool for 10 minutes before cutting bacon crack bites into smaller pieces. Enjoy!

A plate of bacon squares with a bowl of syrup

Maple Caramel Bacon Crack Variations

  • Sprinkle some chopped pecan pieces over the top before baking. They go really well with the bacon flavor, as well as adding extra crunch.
  • For a little heat, you can add a small amount of cayenne pepper to the maple syrup.
  • Add grated cheddar cheese over the first layer of maple and brown sugar. As the layers bake, the cheese melts and coats the candied bacon. It’s delish!
  • Give them a boozy twist by adding a small splash of bourbon to the maple syrup.
  • To make this recipe more like a dessert, drizzle the baked bites with melted chocolate. You can use milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate.
  • We used ordinary bacon, but you can use applewood bacon, hickory-smoked bacon, or turkey bacon. You can even use pancetta if you prefer.
  • For a super easy and quicker version, try saltines instead of dough. Just place a layer of crackers on the parchment paper on the baking sheet. Add the other ingredients and cook until the bacon is nice and crisp.
A stack of bacon crackers on top of a piece of paper.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

Allow the pan to come to room temperature. It’s best to cover it with plastic wrap or foil before placing it in the fridge. You can also transfer leftovers to a smaller airtight container. Store these in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Why is the bottom of my crescent dough soggy?

The main reason this could happen is if you added too much syrup. You only need 1/4 cup for this whole recipe. The other reason could be that you didn’t drain the bacon first. Be sure to place it on paper towels to soak up the bacon grease before adding it to the top of the dough.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Sure. You can cook bacon, assemble the dish a couple of hours or a night in advance, and refrigerate it. When ready to serve, pop it in the oven until golden brown and glistening.

Can I use puff pastry instead?

You can. Just stretch the dough out to fit the pan, gently. Then, follow the same steps as you would if made with crescent dough.

A person holding a piece of maple bacon crack

Other Tasty Appetizer Recipes

A piece of maple bacon crack with a bite out of it
5 from 43 votes

Maple Bacon Crack


Course Appetizer, Appetizer / Party Food
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
This mouthwatering Maple Bacon Crack is a delicious combination of sweet and savory flavors that's always a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients
 

  • 1 pound bacon
  • 1 package crescent rolls
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon in the skillet just enough that it is almost done. Drain and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Set it aside.
    1 pound bacon
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a 9 x 14 rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. You can spray with cooking spray instead, but the paper makes it easier to remove once cooked.
  • Roll out the crescent roll dough and pinch seams to make a large, single sheet of pastry dough. You may have to stretch the dough to make it reach close to the edges of the pan.
    1 package crescent rolls
  • Prick the dough with a fork all over the top to prevent bubbling up when baked.
  • Drizzle half of the maple syrup over the top of the dough, then sprinkle about half of the brown sugar on top of that.
    3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • Add the chopped bacon and spread evenly over the dough.
    1 pound bacon
  • Drizzle the remaining maple syrup on top of the bacon, and top it off with the remaining brown sugar.
  • Bake for about 25 minutes, until bacon is crispy and caramelized. 
  • Remove from the oven and allow the pan to cool for 10 minutes before cutting into bite size pieces. Enjoy!

Notes

When you cook your bacon, you’re looking for a dark pink color, and not quite crispy.  It will get crispy in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 162mg | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.4mg
The nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used.

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    5 from 43 votes (43 ratings without comment)

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    3 Comments

    1. Calling a recipe “crack” because you “find it addicting” is so tacky and insulting to recovering addicts. No one made you choose that name. Do better. From, a recovering addict.

      1. I’m very sorry that you found it offensive. I’ll keep this under consideration for future recipes. 🙂

      2. Lots of different recipes are called “crack” – lighten up. Congrats on being a recovered addict. I am, too, and I don’t find the use of “crack” offensive.

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