Maple-Glazed Bacon Bits

These easy to make bacon bits will add a sweet and savoury surprise to your backyard BBQ. Put them on burgers, or mix them in to your mac and cheese or jalapeno poppers.

Timing

Allow 75 to 90 minutes of cooking (60 to 75 minutes of smoking plus 15 minutes to set the glaze), followed by 5 to 10 minutes of resting. The listed total budgets 5 minutes of preparation, 90 minutes of cooking and 10 minutes of resting: 1 hour 45 minutes. Smoker warm-up time varies and may add time.

Step-By-Step

1. Set your smoker to 180°F–200°F (use the “Smoke” setting if yours has one) and let it warm up.
2. Place 10 slices of bacon on a wire baking rack or directly on the top rack of your smoker.
3. Smoke for 60 to 75 minutes, allowing the fat to render and the smoke flavor to build.
4. The bacon should be cooked through but not yet crispy. Brush each strip generously with maple syrup.
5. Increase the smoker temperature to 250°F for 15 minutes to set the glaze. Watch closely and remove the bacon early if the sugar starts to scorch.
6. Remove the bacon from the smoker and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to finish crisping.
7. Chop the cooled bacon into small pieces.
8. Use the bacon bits immediately, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days.