Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with a heat-proof wire rack. Spray it with nonstick cooking spray so your bacon doesn’t stick.

Step 2

Reserve 1 tablespoon diced jalapeños for garnish, mince and spread on a paper towel to remove moisture.

Step 3

Heat the bacon fat or butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted. Sauté the remaining chopped jalapeños until tender, about 6 minutes.

Step 4

Add the brown sugar, pepper, salt and water, and stir just until the sugar melts (but don’t bring to a boil). Remove from heat.

Step 5

Cool the mixture for 5 minutes and transfer to the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process 2-3 times until the mixture is fairly smooth, using a spatula to push the mixture from the sides of the bowl so it can all be incorporated.

Step 6

Pour the glaze mixture in a shallow dish. Drag each piece of bacon through the glaze, making sure each piece is generously coated and arrange the bacon strips on the prepared baking rack.

Step 7

Bake until the bacon is golden brown and crispy, about 30-35 minutes. (The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your bacon. Check the bacon after about 20 minutes of cooking time. If the outer strips are cooking faster than the inner strips, use a metal spatula to carefully rearrange the strips and move the outer ones to the center.)

Step 8

Remove from the oven, place the pan on a cooling rack, and cool the bacon on the pan for 10 minutes. Lay the strips on a double layer of paper towels to drain, and remove to a serving dish. (Don’t leave the strips on the paper towels or they may stick and remove some of the glaze.) Makes 8 strips.

Step 9

Arrange in a serving dish and sprinkle reserved minced jalapeno over the bacon strips. Makes 8 slices.