Sweet, salty, crunchy, and irresistible, these candied bacon crackers are the perfect snack or appetizer for anytime. Sure, you can bake them in an oven, but the air fryer makes it quick and convenient. I serve them for the holidays and New Year’s and they’re always a crowd pleaser!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Easy: Just wrap, season, and air fry. No fuss, no fancy skills, and no oven heating up your whole kitchen!
- Ultra Crispy: The air fryer gives you perfectly crisp bacon and cracker edges every single time
- Addictively Savory: Buttery crackers + salty bacon = the kind of snack people hover over at parties
- Quick Party Win: They cook fast and feed a crowd, making them perfect for last-minute entertaining
- Customizable: Sprinkle on brown sugar, ranch seasoning, everything bagel seasoning, whatever vibe you want!
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Ingredients List
- 24 Club crackers (or generic equivalent)
- 8 slices maple bacon (about ½ pound)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp sriracha (optional)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use any type of buttery crackers (Ritz are fine too) or saltines – I just find that Club crackers work very well here. You may need to adjust the size of your bacon slightly to fit different crackers (cut into quarters instead of thirds, for example)
- Feel free to use other flavors of bacon (I just prefer maple here), and make sure to use traditional (not thick cut) for best results
- For a savory option, use parmesan cheese or about 1 Tbsp ranch dressing mix (the powder) instead of brown sugar (and use regular bacon). You can also use maple syrup instead of brown sugar (if you’re not using maple bacon)
- The sriracha adds a little bit of heat. You can also use cayenne, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning, or hot honey instead for different variations
- Other variations include spreading about 1 tsp cream cheese (or similar) on the cracker before wrapping in bacon
Step By Step Instructions
- Cut your bacon slices crosswise into thirds. Toss the bacon with the brown sugar and sriracha (if using) until evenly coated
- Wrap each cracker in a slice of bacon. I usually go lengthwise, but you can go crosswise and leave the ends of the cracker open too (then you will have more overlap if you’re struggling to get the bacon to stay put while cooking)
- Place the bacon wrapped crackers into the air fryer seam side down, allowing a little space between each one
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, until browned to your liking (though add any extra time in small increments and check frequently so the crackers don’t burn). You can flip them after 4-5 minutes, but I don’t find it necessary
- Cool for about 5 minutes (they will firm up a bit more). Add any extra toppings you might like, such as a sprinkle of herbs or a drizzle of honey. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Dips & Sauces
- Creamy Ranch Dip – The cool, herby creaminess balances the salty crispiness of the bacon!
- Honey Mustard – Sweet meets tangy, giving the crackers a fun flavor pop
- Smoky Aioli – Adds a richer, savory depth that pairs beautifully with the bacon
Drinks
- Light Beer or Lager – Refreshing enough to cut through the saltiness without overpowering it
- Whiskey Ginger – A little spice and sweetness complements the smoky bacon
- Cranberry Vodka Cocktails – Tart and crisp, perfect for balancing richer bites. Check out all my Cranberry Vodka Drinks for pairings made for any season!
Party Pairings
- Cheese Board – Sharp cheddar or creamy brie gives the crackers a richer, more indulgent pairing option
- Pickles or Pickled Veggies – Bright and tangy, they contrast the fattiness of the bacon beautifully
- Fresh Veggie Platter – Crunchy and refreshing, offering a light counterpoint to the salty, buttery crackers
Holiday Pairings
- Mulled Cider (Spiked or Not) – Warm, cozy spices pair surprisingly well with salty bacon. My Microwave Mulled Wine is another great boozy option!
- Holiday Snack Mixes – Sweet-and-salty mixes (with chocolate, nuts, or pretzels) play nicely alongside bacon crackers
- Sparkling Wine – The bubbles cut through the richness and make them feel instantly party-worthy (especially for New Year’s)!
Recipe FAQs
What’s the Best Bacon for Bacon Crackers?
Thin-cut (traditional) bacon works best because it crisps up quickly without overcooking the crackers underneath. Thick-cut bacon can be used, but it may take longer to cook and won’t get quite as crisp (and you risk burning the crackers).
Are Candied Bacon Crackers Sweet or Savory?
They can be either sweet and salty or savory, depending what seasonings you use. The bacon brings the savory crunch while the brown sugar (or savory seasoning mix) adds a caramelized layer or sweet or savory on top.
Can I Bake Them Instead?
Yes, you can bake them in the oven if you prefer. Just place the crackers on a wire rack on a foil or parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F until the bacon is crispy and the sugar has melted, usually 20–30 minutes.
Tips For the Best Bacon Crackers
- I cook these bacon crackers in my Ninja air fryer (without preheating) and 10 minutes is perfect. For second batches, I usually reduce to 7-8 minutes instead. Other air fryers can vary slightly, so adjust as needed in small increments
- It’s normal for some of the bacon to peel up from the edges. Bacon shrinks as it cooks, and if you don’t leave enough overlap it will pop loose. They still taste great! You can always wrap around the middle and leave the ends of the crackers open instead to give it more overlap
- Do not pull the bacon too taut while wrapping, as it can then break the crackers as it shrinks during cooking. Just wrap it normally; no pulling needed
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Because of the bacon, they can’t be stored at room temperature
- Layer with parchment or wax paper to keep the crackers from sticking together as the sugar cools and firms
- Keep them dry – any moisture will soften the crackers, so avoid storing them while still warm!
Reheating Tips
- Air Fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 2–3 minutes to restore crispiness without overcooking the bacon
- Oven: Warm at 325°F for 5–7 minutes if reheating a larger batch
- Skip the microwave, as it will make the crackers soft and chewy instead of crisp
More Bacon Wrapped Recipes
- Bacon Wrapped Figs
- Bacon Wrapped Stuffing
Final Thoughts
This bacon cracker recipe is always a hit for the holidays, December parties in general, and particularly New Year’s in our house! What’s not to love about buttery, toasted crackers wrapped in sweet and salty caramelized bacon?
They’re delicious on their own, or served with your favorite dips and sauces. Plus, they’re the easiest appetizer yet still always a crowd-pleaser, so you can throw them together last minute and stress less. Bacon crackers are easily customized for what you have on hand as well!
The air fryer makes things even easier, coming in around half the cooking time compared to the oven! Of course, if you want to make a huge batch, the oven is a great option as well, so this recipe is versatile to fit your needs. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Candied Bacon Crackers
Servings: 6
These delicious candied bacon crackers are made easily in your air fryer – less than half the time compared to the oven! Perfect as a snack or app for the holidays, game day, or New Year’s!
Ingredients
- 24 Club crackers (or generic equivalent)
- 8 slices maple bacon (about ½ pound)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Cut your bacon slices crosswise into thirds. Toss the bacon with the brown sugar and sriracha (if using) until evenly coated8 slices maple bacon, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp sriracha
- Wrap each cracker in a slice of bacon. I usually go lengthwise, but you can go crosswise and leave the ends of the cracker open too (then you will have more overlap if you’re struggling to get the bacon to stay put while cooking)24 Club crackers
- Place the bacon wrapped crackers into the air fryer seam side down, allowing a little space between each one
- Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, until browned to your liking (add any extra time in small increments and check frequently so the crackers don’t burn). You could flip them halfway, but I don’t find it necessary
- Cool for about 5 minutes (they will firm up a bit more), and enjoy!
Notes
- You can use Ritz or saltine crackers too, but you may need to adjust the size of your bacon slightly to fit (cut into quarters instead of thirds for smaller crackers)
- Feel free to use other flavors of bacon, and make sure to use traditional (not thick cut)
- For a savory option, use parmesan cheese or about 1 Tbsp ranch dressing mix (the powder) instead of brown sugar (and use regular bacon). You can also use maple syrup instead of brown sugar (if you’re not using maple bacon)
- The sriracha adds just a kiss of heat. You can also use cayenne, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Cajun seasoning, or hot honey instead for different variations
- Cheese variation: spread about 1 tsp cream cheese (or similar soft cheese) on the cracker before wrapping in bacon
- Alternate Oven Directions: Place crackers on a wire rack on a foil or parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F until the bacon is crispy and the sugar has melted, usually 20–30 minutes
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or seasonings added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 31g | Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4.4g | Fat: 7.7g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 388mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4.7IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 5.2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
