Bacon Crackers

These incredible bacon crackers are guaranteed to be the hit of any party!

These babies are little bites of pure joy. They're salty, sweet, crispy, and addictive all at once. Every time I make these, people hover around the kitchen asking, “Are they ready yet?”

They’re perfect for grazing, chatting, and sharing. Seriously, make a double batch because they'll disappear from your appetizer spread fast!

Why You’ll Love These Bacon Crackers

Party Perfect: Guests consistently rave about these addictive appetizers. They’re always a hit and will make you the MVP of any gathering. 

Sweet Meets Savory: The crispy Club crackers are caramelized with brown sugar. Add perfectly cooked bacon, and you have an irresistible taste that hits all the right notes. There’s saltiness, sweetness, and buttery goodness in every bite.

Versatile: These shine equally bright at casual game day gatherings or elegant cocktail parties. You can even serve them for holiday celebrations. Plus, they taste great whether served warm or at room temperature.

Ingredients

• Club Crackers: Buttery and crisp, they provide a sturdy base for the bacon and caramelized sugar topping. They’re the perfect mix of crunch and flavor. 

• Bacon: Thin-cut bacon is ideal for crisping up quickly and evenly. It adds savory, smoky, salty richness to each bite. 

• Light Brown Sugar: Packed light brown sugar melts into a caramelized glaze. It balances the salty bacon with a touch of sweetness. 

• Cayenne Pepper: An optional pinch of cayenne adds a subtle heat if you enjoy spice. 

• Black Pepper: Also optional, black pepper offers a hint of earthy spice without adding too much heat. 

• Maple Syrup: The final optional ingredient. It adds extra sweetness and a lovely shine. It’s also a great source of rich maple flavor, of course! 

How to Make Bacon Crackers

With only three required ingredients, these are incredibly simple to make. You do the assembling, and the oven does the rest! 

1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a wire rack on top. 

2. Assemble. Place the crackers, untouching, in a single layer on the wire rack. Cut each bacon strip into thirds and place one piece on top of each cracker. Sprinkle sugar on top. (If using the optional peppers, mix them with the sugar before sprinkling it.)

3. Bake. Place the tray with the rack on it and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Monitor closely to prevent burning. If desired, brush a thin layer of maple syrup over the bacon during the last 5 minutes of cooking for extra sweetness. 

4. Cool and serve. Remove the crackers from the oven and let them cool briefly. Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy!  

Tips for the Best Bacon Crackers

Bacon crackers are so easy to make, you won’t even need my usual tips! But I have a few best practices.

• Put in the proper prep. Placing a wire rack on a foil-covered sheet may seem excessive. But there’s a purpose for every piece of equipment. The wire rack allows for optimal airflow. The baking sheet keeps grease from dripping into your oven. The aluminum foil makes cleaning the baking sheet a breeze!

• Avoid thick-cut bacon. It takes too long to bake and will overcook the crackers. 

• Freeze the bacon beforehand. If you pop it in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes, it makes it easier to cut. 

• Don’t overlap! The crackers should be in a single, non-overlapping layer. Leave enough space between them to ensure even cooking and caramelization, too. 

• Watch closely. Keep a close eye on the crackers during the last few minutes to avoid burning. Check for a golden-brown caramelized color.

• Cool for crispness. Let the crackers cool slightly before serving. They’ll crisp further as they cool.

Variations

Try these tasty variations if you want something slightly different. 

• Want softer crackers? Skip the wire rack and bake them directly on foil-lined sheets. This will cause them to absorb the bacon fat, making them softer. 

• Try different crackers. Swap out the Club crackers for Ritz or saltines for a different texture and flavor. 

• Make them extra spicy. Place a thin slice of fresh or pickled jalapeño on each bacon piece before baking for a spicy, tangy twist. 

• Get cheesy. Add a small pinch of shredded cheddar or Parmesan onto the cracker before the bacon for a cheesy layer.

• Garnish with herbs. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or chives on the crackers after baking. The herbs will enhance presentation and flavor.

How to Store

Like most crackers, these won’t freeze well. In fact, they taste best when fresh, so try not to make too many. But you can store leftovers for a few days.

To Store: Allow the crackers to cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. Keep them on the counter for up to 2 days, though they may lose some crispiness over time. Refrigerating is not recommended. It can make the crackers soggy and affect their texture.