Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers: The Perfect Appetizer with a Sweet and Spicy Kick.

These Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers are a simple and delicious snack that balances sweet, salty, and spicy flavors.

With buttery club crackers, crispy thick-cut bacon, dark brown sugar, and a drizzle of hot honey, they are sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Whether it’s game day, a holiday gathering, or just a quick bite, this perfect appetizeris easy to make and packed with flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers Recipe

Easy to Make – These require minimal prep time and they’re made with 5 simple ingredients.

Addictive Flavor – The sweet and spicy combination makes it irresistible. You may want to consider doubling the batch as they will quickly disappear!

Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for holiday gatherings, game day, or a quick snack. These will be a major hit with guests you are entertaining.

Crispy & Crunchy – Th bacon fat drips down into the cracker, leaving flavor packed crisp crackers.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers

  • 24 Club crackers (buttery and crisp)
  • ½ lb thick-cut bacon (or regular bacon for a crispier texture)
  • 2 fresh jalapeños (thinly sliced)
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar (for caramelization)
  • ¼ cup hot honey (for that signature sweet heat)
  • Black pepper (freshly cracked for extra depth)
  • Cayenne pepper or Red Pepper Flakes (optional for added spice)

How to Make Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers

1. Assemble the Crackers on a Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your smoker, oven or air fryer to 325°F.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Place a wire rack on top to ensure even cooking and to allow the bacon fat to drip off.

Lay out the buttery club crackers in a single layer on the wire rack.

club crackers on a wire rack.
Photos from this recipe are from Brittany Scott (Instagram: @the_salted_bite)

Cut some thick-cut bacon into thirds, ensuring each piece of bacon is roughly the same size as the cracker.

Place a slice of the cut bacon on top of each cracker.

club cracker with bacon on top.

2. Adding Flavor to the crackers

Sprinkle a small amount of dark brown sugar over the top of the bacon. This will help them get “candied” through the process and give them a sweet flavor profile.

Add a thin slice of fresh jalapeño to each cracker, then season with black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

3. Cook Until Crispy

Place the large baking sheet in the smoker or oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, until the bacon slices are fully cooked and crisp.

If using an air fryer, cook at 325°F for 12-15 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning.

Hot Honey Candied bacon Crackers on the smoker.

The club crackers will absorb the bacon grease as these cook giving the crackers even more delicious crispy flavor.

4. Drizzle with Hot Honey

Once removed from the smoker, oven, or air fryer, drizzle hot honey over the top of each cracker while they’re still warm. This step enhances the spicy candied bacon crackers with an irresistible sweetness.

Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers.

5. Let Them Cool & Serve

Allow the crackers to cool slightly before serving. then watch them quickly disappear.

Tips for the Best Spicy Candied Bacon Crackers

  • Use Thick-Cut Bacon – It provides the best texture and flavor. If using regular bacon, monitor closely to prevent overcooking.
  • Adjust Spice Levels – Increase or decrease cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes based on your preference.
  • Air Fryer Option – This recipe works great in an air fryer for a quicker cooking time.
  • Perfect for Social Media – These delicious bites are highly photogenic, making them perfect for sharing on social media.

How to Serve and Store

These bacon crackers are best served fresh and warm. If you’re making them ahead of time, store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunch. If they soften, pop them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.

Creative Variations

  • Cheesy Twist – Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the crackers before adding the bacon.
  • Extra Sweet – Substitute hot honey with maple syrup for a milder sweetness.
  • Smoky Flavor – Add a pinch of smoked paprika for a deeper flavor profile.
  • Nutty Crunch – Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the bacon before baking.

Why These Bacon Crackers Are a Must-Try

These Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers are not only a perfect appetizer, but they also work as a game day snack, holiday treat, or even a late-night indulgence.

The combination of thick-cut bacon, dark brown sugar, and hot honeycreates a spicy kick that pairs beautifully with the buttery club crackers. Whether you’re serving them fresh out of the oven or packing them into an airtight container for later, they are guaranteed to be a hit!

Try this bacon crackers recipe today and get ready to wow your guests with the perfect snack that balances sweet, salty, and spicy flavors in every bite!

Other Delicious Recipes to try!

Smoked Street Corn Queso – This creamy, smoky dip blends fire-roasted corn, melted cheese, and a hint of spice for an irresistible Tex-Mex favorite. Serve it warm with tortilla chips for a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for any gathering.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends – These melt-in-your-mouth bites are caramelized to perfection with a smoky, sweet glaze. Slow-cooked until tender, these pork belly burnt ends are a must-try for BBQ lovers looking for the ultimate indulgence.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders – Juicy shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and tangy ranch dressing come together in soft slider buns for the ultimate party snack. These easy-to-make sliders are a hit for game day, potlucks, and family dinners alike.

Smoked Cream Cheese with Bacon Jam – A rich and creamy block of smoked cream cheese topped with sweet and savory bacon jam creates the perfect spread for crackers or toasted bread. Ideal for holiday gatherings and entertaining guests.

Cheesesteak Jalapeño Poppers – These jalapeño poppers are stuffed with thinly sliced steak, melted cheese, and a flavorful seasoning blend, then baked to perfection. A spicy, cheesy, and savory appetizer that’s impossible to resist!

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Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers.

Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers

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Hot Honey Candied Bacon Crackers are the perfect easy appetizer. A buttery club cracker topped with smoked bacon and hot honey for the perfect sweet heat bite!

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 24 crackers 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 24 Club crackers
  • ½ lb thick cut bacon
  • 2 fresh Jalapeño
  • ¼ cup Brown sugar
  • ¼ cub Hot Honey

Instructions

  1. Cut the bacon into thirds so that it’s the same length as the crackers.
  2. Lay out the crackers on a wire rack with a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper below.
  3. Place the cut bacon on top of the crackers then add a sprinkle of brown sugar, a slice of fresh jalapeño and some fresh cracked black pepper.
  4. Place the sheet of crackers on the smoker at 325°F for 35-45 minutes.
  5. Remove the sheet pan from the smoker once the bacon is fully cooked.
  6. Top each candied bacon cracker with a drizzle of hot honey then immediately serve warm.
  • Author: Nick Nesgoda
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

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