Million Dollar Bacon Crostini Recipe
Delight your guests with these Million Dollar Bacon Crostini, a perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Thick-cut bacon caramelized with brown sugar and spices is paired with creamy goat cheese on crisp toasted baguette slices, finished with a drizzle of maple syrup or hot honey and optional garnishes for an elegant appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 crostini 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Million Dollar Bacon:
- 2 packs thick-cut bacon
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika or maple syrup (optional, for brushing post-bake)
Crostini:
- 1 large baguette, sliced into 24 rounds
- Olive oil for brushing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Garlic clove (optional, for rubbing after toasting)
Additional:
- 8 oz goat cheese log (or mix with a bit of cream cheese for a milder version)
- Maple syrup, honey, or hot honey for drizzling
- Chopped fresh thyme, chives, or candied pecans (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Bacon: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top to allow air circulation around the bacon for even cooking.
- Make Bacon Glaze and Coat Bacon: In a bowl, mix together the brown sugar, water, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Dredge each bacon strip in this mixture, ensuring it is well coated, then lay the strips on the wire rack.
- Bake Bacon: Bake the bacon for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the bacon is crisp and caramelized. Remove from the oven and allow the bacon to cool completely. Optionally, brush with smoked paprika or maple syrup once out of the oven for added flavor.
- Toast Crostini: Brush both sides of the baguette slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place them on a baking sheet and toast in the oven at 375°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden and crisp.
- Add Garlic Flavor (Optional): For extra flavor, gently rub the toasted baguette slices with a garlic clove immediately after toasting.
- Assemble Crostini: Spread a generous layer of goat cheese on each toasted baguette slice. Break the cooled bacon into bite-sized pieces and top each crostini with them.
- Finish and Garnish: Drizzle each crostini with maple syrup, honey, or hot honey to taste. Garnish with chopped fresh thyme, chives, or candied pecans for an elegant touch before serving.
Notes
- For a milder cheese option, mix goat cheese with cream cheese before spreading.
- The red pepper flakes are optional, omit if you prefer less heat.
- Smoked paprika or maple syrup brushed on bacon after baking adds a nice flavor twist.
- Storing leftover bacon pieces in the fridge helps maintain crispness when reheated briefly in the oven.
- This recipe makes a great party appetizer and can be doubled or halved depending on guest count.
Keywords: Million Dollar Bacon, Crostini, Appetizer, Bacon Recipe, Goat Cheese, Sweet and Spicy Bacon
Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/million-dollar-bacon-crostini-recipe/
