Ingredients

• 2 pounds thick-cut bacon
• 1/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
• 4 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Place racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400°F.
2. If making Chile–Brown Sugar Rub: Whisk brown sugar, chile powder, paprika, and 1 tsp. kosher salt in a small bowl.
3. If making Maple-Mustard Glaze: Whisk maple syrup, mustard, cayenne, and remaining ½ tsp. kosher salt in another small bowl.
4. Divide bacon between two wire racks set inside large foil-lined rimmed baking sheets. Bake, rotating baking sheets front to back and top to bottom halfway through, until brown and crisp, 35–50 minutes (depending on the thickness of the bacon). Transfer to paper towels to drain.
5. Follow directions above, but generously sprinkle bacon with rub or brush with glaze about 5 minutes before it is done cooking. Rub should be melted and bubbling and glaze should look thick and caramelized.