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RecipesCuisine: American-inspired
14 August 2026
Updated at: 14 August 20261 min read
Smoked and Caramelised Bacon Bites with Honey and Paprika
Sweet, smoky and crisp at the edges, these caramelised bacon bites combine honey, brown sugar, paprika and chipotle for an irresistible barbecue appetiser.
Turn thick-cut bacon into a sticky, smoky barbecue appetiser made for sharing. Slow smoking gives the cubes time to absorb the seasoning, while brown sugar, honey and barbecue sauce create a glossy caramelised coating.
Serve them warm as part of a relaxed weekend barbecue, with napkins close by and plenty of other nibbles on the table.
Recipe details
Preparation
20 min
Cooking
60 min
Serves
6
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
800g unsmoked streaky bacon joint or slab bacon
200g light brown sugar
2 tbsp sweet paprika
100g barbecue sauce
85g honey
Chipotle chilli flakes or chipotle paste, to taste
Method
1. Remove the rind, if present, and cut the bacon into even bite-sized cubes.
2. Place the bacon on the barbecue and cook until lightly golden on all sides.
3. Mix the brown sugar, paprika, barbecue sauce, honey and chipotle in a bowl. Add the bacon and toss until evenly coated.
4. Transfer the coated bacon to a barbecue-safe pan and return it to the barbecue or smoker at approximately 120°C.
5. Cook for around 1 hour with the lid closed and the vent slightly open, turning occasionally.
6. Serve when the bacon is deeply golden, sticky and crisp at the edges.
