Preheat oven to 350. Line a rimmed cookie sheet with foil and place cooling rack on top of pan.

In large bowl mix cayenne, brown sugar, salt, dijon mustard and maple syrup. Mix until well combined.

Add the bacon and toss until all is evenly coated. if it seems dry, don't worry that's how it should be.

Lay the coated bacon on wire rack in a single layer close but not overlapping each other.

Bake for 20 minutes on center rack of oven. The bacon will look brown, but needs to cook for additional 10 - 15 minutes. It should be dark brown but not burnt. Just peek and make sure its not burning.

It will have chewy consistency if this step is not done. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes. If you wait to long, they will stick.

Once cooled you can serve whole, cut into pieces or crumble for topping on salads etc..

Serve at room temperature. Great as appetizers or snacks, really good on BLT gives it a kick.