Delish Maple Bacon Donut Sticks

There are mornings when the house feels like it’s exhaling—quiet air, pale sun slipping through the blinds, a half-finished mug of coffee cooling by the sink. Those are the moments when I crave something playful and a little indulgent, the kind of treat that makes everyone wander into the kitchen from different corners of the house, noses leading the way. These Delish Maple Bacon Donut Sticks have that pull. They’re crisp along the edges, soft in the middle, and dressed with a shiny maple glaze that settles into a gentle sheen. A sprinkle of salty, caramel-edged bacon brings the kind of sweet-savory magic that makes conversation start without anyone trying. Honestly, they smell like a cozy diner collided with a maple sugar shack, and that’s a weekend scene I’ll always say yes to.

They’re special because they feel a little mischievous—a breakfast dessert, a snack before noon, a treat you can eat with your fingers while standing at the counter in your socks. They’re not fussy. The glaze coats each stick in a glossy kiss, and that first bite gives a soft sigh and a crackle. If you have kids, expect the words “Can I have another?” to appear with sticky fingerprints on the refrigerator door. If it’s just you and a quiet morning, these have a way of turning the radio a little lower, the chair a little closer, and the coffee refill entirely necessary.

My husband has a particular way he likes these: two sticks on a small plate, a napkin tucked under his palm like he’s at a bake sale, and a second cup of coffee that he swears he doesn’t need but pours anyway. Our little one is very serious about the bacon sprinkle—the final flourish, as she calls it. On a recent Saturday, I set up a tiny “finishing station” on the corner of the island. She stood on a stool, hair crooked in a sleep-ponytail, and showered the tops with bacon like confetti, humming a tune she probably heard in the car. The dog hovered by the oven, hopeful and patient, tail tapping the cupboard like a metronome. A few pieces of bacon mysteriously vanished during the process. No one confessed; we didn’t ask.

When I carried the first warm batch to the table, there was that collective lean-in, the kind that says, “This is why we’re all here right now.” We ate slowly, even while laughing about the one stick that swooped right out of my fingers and landed in the glaze bowl—an unplanned double-dip that became the favorite of the morning. The sun shifted across the table. The music was something piano and familiar. It all felt easy, and I think that’s the whole point.

Why You’ll Love This Delish Maple Bacon Donut Sticks

– The maple glaze smells like warm sap and toasted sugar, and it clings just enough for that perfect first bite.
– Crisp edges meet a soft, pillowy center—like a good hug with a little sparkle.
– Bacon brings a salty, smoky pop that keeps each bite from feeling too sweet.
– They’re shareable and fun, the kind of thing that makes people gather at the counter and talk with their hands.
– A gentle weekend project that still fits into real life—no special occasion needed, just a slow morning and an appetite.
– Perfect with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk; choose your comfort.

Slow Moments

Sometimes the best part is the in-between. The glaze waits in a little bowl, warm and fragrant, like golden silk. I stir it lazily with a spoon while the bacon crackles from the earlier pan, the sound soft and soothing. On the stove, the donut sticks take on color patiently, one side then the other, and the kitchen fills with that sweet-savory aroma that makes the windows feel friendlier.

I’ll admit, I like to line them up on a cooling rack like a parade, just so. It helps me pause. The kettle clicks off in the background, the dog sighs at my feet, and the radio catches a quieter song. If I listen closely, I can hear the tiny tick-tick of glaze dripping back onto the parchment. I’ll taste a corner—just a nibble—and then another, because quality control demands it. Someone wanders in, asks if they’re ready yet, pretends not to steal a piece of bacon from the bowl. I pretend not to notice. By the time we sit down, the room feels different: warmer, softer, a little more together.

Time-Saving Hacks

– If you’re short on time, use a good store-bought dough—you’ll still get that tender inside and satisfyingly crisp outside without fuss.
– Cook the bacon the night before and keep it chilled. In the morning, it’s ready to crumble while you sip your coffee.
– Mix the glaze ahead and keep it covered; a quick warm-up brings it right back to pourable perfection.
– If you have an air-fryer, it can be a tidy, quick option when you don’t want to hover over the stove.
– On slower days, don’t rush the resting time before glazing. Letting the sticks cool slightly helps the glaze cling instead of slide.

Serving Ideas

– Set out a tiny bowl of extra maple syrup for drizzling, plus a pinch bowl of flaky sea salt for those who love a little pop.
– For weekend brunch, serve alongside soft scrambled eggs and a bowl of berries—simple, colorful, easy.
– On a school-day morning, pair a stick or two with Greek yogurt and sliced bananas. No one complains.
– If you like contrast, dust one plate lightly with cinnamon and another with cocoa, and let everyone choose their adventure.
– Coffee is a classic, but these are also dreamy with hot black tea, a cappuccino, or even a glass of cold brew over ice.

Tips & Mistakes

I’ve learned that glaze that’s too warm turns shy; it won’t stay put. Give it a moment. If it still feels thin, I just let it sit on the counter while I set the table. On the flip side, if it cools too much, it gets stubborn and won’t spread. A gentle re-warm is all it needs—nothing dramatic.

Crumble the bacon just before topping. If it sits in a steamy kitchen too long, it loses that crisp magic. And don’t crowd the pan or tray—when I did, the sticks ended up a little soft around the edges. Not ruined, just less sparkly. One morning I overdid the maple and everything tasted like a pancake syrup party; a tiny pinch of salt on top saved the day and brought the balance right back.

Storage Tips

If you somehow have leftovers, keep the unglazed sticks and the glaze separate. The next day, a quick warm-up for both brings them back to life. Glazed leftovers still taste lovely chilled—especially with a cup of hot coffee—just expect a softer bite. They’re easy to tuck into a lunchbox as a sweet surprise, or to slice in half and share as an afternoon snack with fruit.

Variations and Substitutions

Thick-cut bacon gives a chewy, candied crunch; thinner strips go feather-light and crisp. Turkey bacon works if that’s your lane, and for a meatless twist, try chopped toasted pecans or walnuts for that salty-crunchy moment. A whisper of orange or lemon zest in the glaze makes the maple taste brighter, almost sunlit. If you’re feeling playful, add a pinch of cayenne or black pepper to the bacon for a gentle warmth that sneaks up right at the end.

We’ve drizzled a bit of dark chocolate over the top when company came by, and it turned these into a proper dessert. On snowy days, a dusting of cinnamon sugar before glazing gives the whole kitchen a hug. And if maple isn’t your mood, honey or brown sugar syrup brings a different kind of cozy sweetness that still plays nicely with bacon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Delish Maple Bacon Donut Sticks

Golden-fried donut sticks made from biscuit dough, dunked in silky maple glaze and topped with crisp bacon. Easy, indulgent, and perfect with coffee.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients

 

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Main Ingredients

• ▢ 1 can refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough 16.3 oz can (8 large biscuits)
• ▢ 2 quart vegetable oil for frying
• ▢ 6 slice thick-cut bacon cooked crisp and finely chopped
• ▢ 1.5 cup powdered sugar for maple glaze
• ▢ 0.33 cup pure maple syrup grade A or B, for glaze
• ▢ 1.5 tablespoon milk add more to thin glaze as needed
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 0.125 teaspoon fine salt a pinch, balances sweetness
• ▢ 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional, for the glaze
• ▢ 0.25 cup chopped pecans optional garnish

Instructions

Preparation Steps

• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until very crisp. Drain on paper towels and finely chop. Set aside.
• Make the glaze: In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon until smooth and pourable. Adjust with a splash of milk if needed. Set aside.
• Heat oil in a heavy pot or deep fryer to 350°F. Line a sheet pan with a rack or paper towels for draining.
• Shape the sticks: Open the biscuit can. Working one at a time, roll each biscuit into a 6-inch log and gently flatten to about 0.5 inch thick to form a stick shape.
• Fry in batches without crowding, turning once, until deep golden brown, about 1.5 to 2 minutes per side. Maintain the oil at 350°F.
• Drain briefly, then dip or brush each warm donut stick with the maple glaze. Immediately sprinkle with chopped bacon (and pecans, if using) so it adheres.
• Serve warm. If needed, rewarm unglazed sticks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes, then glaze and top.

Notes

For extra crunch, double-fry: give the sticks a quick second fry for 30 seconds after resting 2 minutes. If the glaze thickens while you work, whisk in 0.5 teaspoon milk at a time until smooth.