Candied Bacon BLT Sliders (Printer-Friendly Version)

Sweet, savory bacon pairs with crisp veggies and buttery slider buns for a flavor-packed handheld treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Candied Bacon

01 - 12 ounces thick-cut center-cut bacon
02 - 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
05 - 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

→ Garlic Butter for Buns

06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
07 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
08 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley

→ For Assembly

09 - 12 slider buns, such as King’s Hawaiian or brioche
10 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
11 - 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, leaves washed and torn to slider size
12 - 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
13 - Kosher salt, for seasoning tomatoes
14 - Freshly cracked black pepper, for seasoning tomatoes

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top. In a mixing bowl, combine dark brown sugar, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Lay bacon strips in a single layer on the rack and rub brown sugar mixture liberally on both sides of each strip.
02 - Place baking sheet on the center oven rack and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping bacon halfway through. Bacon is done when caramelized and edges are darkened. Remove bacon from oven and rest on a plate; it will crisp as it cools.
03 - In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, and chopped parsley. Microwave for 20 seconds or until butter is partially melted and aromatic.
04 - Split slider buns. Spread garlic butter mixture on the insides. Toast the buttered sides down in a large skillet over low heat until golden. Flip and toast briefly on the opposite sides until lightly browned.
05 - Slice cooled candied bacon into thirds. Spread mayonnaise on the bottom halves of each toasted slider bun. Top each with a layer of iceberg lettuce, a tomato slice, and season tomatoes with salt and pepper. Add one third of a bacon strip to each slider.
06 - Spread mayonnaise on the underside of each top bun and position on top of the fillings, toasted side facing outward. Serve immediately while warm.

# Additional Tips:

01 - For maximum crispiness, let the candied bacon cool completely before slicing; this ensures a glassy coating and balanced texture.

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