Piri piri candied bacon with cheese will send your favorite meat and spice lovers crazy. This is one decadent dish: creamy, sweet, spicy, salty, rich, meaty, and smooth. I could keep going with adjectives to describe this recipe, but the one word to sum it up — irresistible.
This is an excellent appetizer (or dessert!) to serve with crusty bread or sliced fruit. You can choose your favorite soft cheese. Camembert works very well. Choose a cheese round that is about three to four inches wide. If you use a larger cheese, double up the bacon quantity and bake the cheese a little longer, so it is fully melted through.
The piri piri pepper (also known as the malagueta pepper) can be pretty hot — 50,000 to 100,000 Scoville heat units. At its hottest, it touches the floor of habanero-level heat (and its floor is a very hot cayenne pepper), so this is no mild recipe. If the heat is a concern (or the piri piri is tough to source), you can opt for a milder chili. We’d recommend sticking with a red pepper, though, as the color works so well with the bacon. Try red jalapeños, red serranos, or Fresno peppers as subs.
See it being made:
Like this recipe? You’ll love these too:
- Cowboy Candy: Also known as candied jalapeños. This recipe is another sweet and spicy treat that pairs well with cheese.
- Sweet And Spicy Bacon: Want to make a simple breakfast more memorable? This bacon delivers.
- Homemade Spicy Honey: This spicy honey is perfect for drizzling over all sorts of appetizers and desserts.
Piri Piri Candied Bacon with Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 round camembert or your favorite cheese
- 8 slices smoked bacon
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 3 piri piri chilies
- 1 pinch black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
Instructions
Make the Topping
- Preheat oven to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the bacon into small squares.
- Place a small frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the bacon to the frying pan and stir to prevent sticking.
- Remove the seeds from the chilies. Finely chop the chilies and then add them to the bacon.
- Stir to combine.
- Add the sugar and vinegar to the pan and stir continuously to prevent burning.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook until sticky and all of the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the black pepper and stir one more time.
Bake the Topping and Cheese
- Cover a baking tray with aluminum foil and place the cheese onto the tray.
- Top the cheese with the candied bacon and place it into the middle of the preheated oven.
- Cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is soft and warm inside.
- Serve immediately.
When do you add the vinegar????