Do you ever feel your mouth immediately salivating at the whiff of bacon? I know, bacon is irresistible, and anyone who doesn’t like bacon probably can’t be trusted (popular opinion). However, it is an unfair situation if you prefer a plant-based diet. Luckily, it’s often the crispiness, the aroma, the smokiness, and the saltiness of bacon that we actually love and crave–all of which can easily be mimicked without harming any animals to make vegan bacon.

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Key ingredients in making vegan bacon.

There is simply no escaping coconut ingredients these days, and coconut flakes are no exception. From coconut milk, to toasted coconut bars, to coconut marshmallows, this tropical ingredient has spawned endless culinary creativity, and that includes vegan bacon! They are the key to achieving the familiar crispiness of regular bacon.

To simulate the smokiness, many vegan coconut bacon recipes will call for liquid smoke, and while liquid smoke is a natural ingredient, it’s not something that most people keep in their pantry. To recreate the bacon flavour without liquid smoke, you will need smoked paprika. In Spanish cuisine, smoked paprika is often used in paella or in any dish that benefits from a deep, woodsy taste and aroma.

Vegan Bacon with Coconut Recipe

Ingredients you need:

2 cups coconut flakes

2 tbsp tamari

2 tsp smoked paprika

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp maple syrup or another liquid sweetener

How to prepare:

1. Preheat oven to 300F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a bowl, mix together paprika, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and tamari. In a separate bowl, place coconut flakes then pour in the liquid mixture. Toss and mix together until the coconut flakes are well-coated.
3. On the baking sheet, spread out the coconut flakes evenly in a thin layer.
4. Bake for about 15 minutes. Be sure to flip the coconut flakes every 3 minutes to avoid burning. Some edges may blacken, but this is normal.
5. Allow the coconut to cool and harden on its own.
6. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Have you tried making your own vegan bacon with coconuts or other ingredients? Let us know how it turned out, and share with us your recipe!