Vegan Bacon Bits are the perfect salty, smokey, sweet crunch! Add this meatless bacon to your favorite soup or salad.
VEGAN BACON BITS RECIPE
Sometimes, you just need some extra crunch. Vegan Bacon Bits are the best plant-based crunchy topping that's smokey, salty, and sweet in just a few minutes!
I always keep some in my fridge to add to a standard salad or potato soup. You only need six ingredients to turn your basic textured vegetable protein into amazing fake bacon crumbles!
WHAT ARE VEGAN BACON BITS MADE OF?
Despite the name, there's no pork in these bacon bits!
I make my vegan bacon bits with a soy protein called textured vegetable protein. It's the best plant-based protein to get extra crispy and get that crunchy bacon texture.
Just toss the TVP in a seasoned liquid to give it that smokey bacon flavor.
INGREDIENTS IN VEGAN BACON BITS
Textured vegetable protein: The name sounds daunting! This totally plant-based protein is a fat free soy product.
Coconut aminos: I love coconut aminos because they've got the perfect umami flavor. You can also use soy sauce here in a pinch, but only coconut aminos is gluten-free.
Maple syrup: This sticky vegan sweetener is the perfect way to get that caramelization in the mix. It also brings a light sweetness for that perfect bacon taste.
Liquid smoke: You can't have cured meat without a little smoke! I love using liquid smoke to make my meat-free dishes taste like they've been smoked for hours.
Garlic powder: Garlic is good on everything. There, I said it. It's simply dehydrated garlic cloves, but it's sweeter than raw garlic.
Chili powder: Chili powder is the main ingredient in a traditional chili but it has such a depth of flavor! It brings extra levels to these faux bacon bits.
Smoked paprika: This brings a smokey flavor with a little bit of heat. Regular paprika is fine, but smoked has a little extra flavor in everything it touches.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you ASAP!
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN BACON BITS
- First, gather all your ingredients: the textured vegetable protein, liquids, and spices.
- Then, combine the coconut aminos, maple syrup, and liquid smoke in a sauce pot. Then, add the garlic powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
- Now, bring it to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Once it's boiling, add the textured vegetable protein to the mix. Stir to coat every surface completely.
- Finally, cover a lipped baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture over the paper. Bake the bits until they're the perfect crunch for you.
- You can store these salad toppers and breakfast add-ons up to a week in an airtight container in the fridge.
These numbered steps match the numbered photos above and are for illustration purposes. For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH VEGAN BACON BITS
Meatless bacon bits are perfect on top of some of the best comfort foods!
I love a creamy soup, and vegan corn chowder is one of the best! Summer or winter, I'm always enjoying this coconut milk soup.
This broccoli cranberry salad is a staple in my kitchen in the fall. Add some vegan bacon bits for a little extra flavor.
Sometimes you just need some fluffy carbs, and air fryer baked potatoes are the fastest way to get them! Add some bits to your potatoes for an extra smokey crunch!
I also use these for breakfast all the time! Change up your brunch routine with some faux bacon bits on your avocado toast, or add them to this tofu scramble!
ARE VEGAN BACON BITS HEALTHY?
This vegan bacon bits recipe is made with soy protein — textured vegetable protein.
While many store-bought bacon bits are highly processed and loaded with sodium, these are low in fat and high in protein for the amount per serving!
I keep the sodium low with the coconut aminos. If you use soy sauce, I recommend low sodium sauce to keep the salt content in check.
In moderation, soy is a great plant-based meat alternative.
MORE YUMMY VEGAN RECIPES
If you love these vegan bacon bits, try my tofu bacon! It's the perfect replacement for sliced bacon in a classic BLT. You can make it in the air fryer, too.
Sometimes, you need the comfort of meat but don't want the real thing. Vegan beef stew warms you up on a cold night with all the plant-based goodness!
Bacon equals breakfast. These vegan grits are great topped with bacon or served perfectly plain. No dairy here!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey - If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook, too!
Don't forget to subscribe to our EMAIL newsletter.
Vegan Bacon Bits
Equipment
- Sauce pan
Ingredients
- ½ cup textured vegetable protein
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
- Combine coconut aminos, maple syrup, and liquid smoke. Add garlic powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
- Bring to a boil and add the textured vegetable protein. Stir to coat.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread mixture over parchment and bake for 5 to 10 minutes, or until crunch is to your preference.
This recipe is a game changer! I made these to add to a broccoli salad and it reminded me of real bacon. delicious!
That is a GREAT addition to broccoli salad!
I haven't always been a vegetarian, so I used to eat the real thing. I used to love them on my salads. They offered just the right amount of crunch. I was super excited to find your recipe! Thank you for sharing this!