This Coconut Bacon consists of wide strips of coconut that are infused with a smoky flavor. Sprinkle over your favorite salad or sandwich for the perfect meal!
We won’t break bacon. Bacon has an intoxicating smoky flavor that brings a unique intensity to everything from salads to gourmet donuts. And it’s damn Good. Since we eat about 90% mostly whole foods (WFPB), we also treat ourselves to some bacon from time to time. But most of what we cook at home is vegetarian and vegan. And it’s incredibly hard to imitate that unique flavor that bacon can add to a dish. Appearance: coconut bacon!
What is coconut bacon?
Starter: homemade coconut bacon. That might sound a bit strange: a bacon-flavored coconut? But after experimenting with this concept, Alex and I both agree that it is absolutely it’s worth it! Broad coconut slivers are infused with a tangy, smoky flavor that crisps in the oven and retains intermittent chewiness reminiscent of the crispy, greasy texture of bacon.
While its shape and size is no substitute for strips of bacon on a breakfast plate or in a BLT, it works perfectly when sprinkled in a salad or on top of one of those fancy gourmet donuts. Oh, and for snacking. (Put them in the freezer for a quick smoky and salty treat; they defrost in seconds.)
The ingredients you need
Preparing veggie bacon is a surprisingly simple process and only requires a handful of ingredients. Here’s what you need:
- Large unsweetened coconut flakes. Do not use grated coconut! It won’t give you the right consistency. Make sure your large coconut flakes are unsweetened.
- olive oil
- Spicy Sriracha Sauce
- soy pasture (or liquid aminos for soy-free)
- liquid smoke This is mandatory! There isn’t a good substitute for liquid smoke, but it’s fairly easy to find at grocery stores and online.
How to make coconut bacon
Coconut Bacon couldn’t be easier! They will take you 20 minutes total, plus the time it takes to preheat your oven. How to make coconut bacon:
- stir: Gently mix the coconut strips with the olive oil, Sriracha hot sauce, soy sauce and liquid smoke.
- Bake: Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 14 minutes, stirring halfway through. Coconut burns fairly easily, so you’ll need to watch your veggie bacon towards the end of the cooking time.
- Cool. The coconut bacon will stay crisp as it cools, so don’t worry if it’s not perfectly crisp when you take it out of the oven.
Here’s how to store it (to keep it crispy)!
Once your coconut bacon has cooled, you’re ready to eat it! Here’s a trick to keep leftovers crispy. Store leftover vegan bacon in the freezer! Yes, put it in a sealed plastic bag or container and put it in the freezer. This will keep the bacon crispy and it will come back to room temperature as soon as you take it out!
Other ways to cook vegan bacon
Besides coconut, there are a few other ways to make vegan bacon! Here are our other favorite methods:
- Shiitake bacon. Use shiitake mushrooms to make smoky and salty bacon! It is perfect as a garnish for soups and salads, similar to coconut bacon.
- Bacon with tempeh. Use soy-based tempeh as a background for your bacon. This is high in protein and great for BLTs and scrambles.
This Coconut Bacon Recipe is…
Vegetarian, vegan/plant-based, gluten-free and dairy-free.
The description
This Coconut Bacon consists of wide strips of coconut that are infused with a smoky flavor. Sprinkle over your favorite salad or sandwich for the perfect meal!
- 2 cups large unsweetened coconut flakes (no grated coconut)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 ½ tablespoons Soy Sauce (or Liquid Amino Acids)
- 1 tbsp liquid smoke
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, gently mix all ingredients until coconut is coated.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the coconut on it in a thin, even layer. Bake 10 to 14 minutes, stirring once and rotating the pan halfway through cooking. Watch the end of cooking carefully to make sure it doesn’t burn. Remove when the bacon is just browned.
- Let cool on baking sheet; The bacon will crisp up as it cools. Eat immediately or store leftovers in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer (this will keep the bacon crisp and come back to room temperature quickly).
- Category: garnish
- Method: Cooked
- Kitchen: American
Looking for easier vegetarian recipes?
Last updated: December 2019
