How to make vegan coconut bacon that’sĀ smoky, sweet and crunchy just like regular bacon. It’s perfect for snacking or using in recipes that call for bacon like BLTs or chopped salads!
As most of you know, I’m pescatarian. I don’t really like to label it because I basically just eat the things I like, but saying pescatarian makes it easier when I’m describing what I do and do not eat to people. Well, now that I think about it, it only works half the time because sometimes I get the whole, “pesca-what?”.
Anyhow, I’ve eaten this way for over five years. I don’t crave meat or choose to eat a bunch of meat substitutes. But, when I heard about coconut bacon I couldn’t resist. I honestly still like the smell of bacon cooking. Bacon was always served when we had “big breakfasts” as I was growing up (remember, I’m from the country) and I loved having BLTs with crispy bacon and perfectly ripe tomatoes during the summer. So when I saw Dreena Burton (the author of some of my favorite vegan cookbooks) mention making Baconut on FacebookĀ earlier this month, I knew I needed some coconut bacon in my life.
Let’s just say I was right!
I googled coconut bacon and soon found that it was indeed a thing. I looked over a few recipes and got to work!
It’s crazy to me to think that coconut mixed with a few ingredients and baked could taste like bacon, but it really does. It’s smoky and sweet, just like crunchy little pieces of bacon.
Please do remember that I haven’t had bacon in over five years.
This actually reminds me of the time I posted theseĀ green bean fries and said they tasted like french fries. I went into the office the next day and my co-worker greeted me with, “Sooo I tried your recipe for green bean fries, you know, the ones you said taste like french fries? Well, when was the last time you had a french fry…” Ha!
So yeah, it does taste like bacon to me, but I’m sure some avid bacon lovers would disagree. Although, even if you don’t think it tastes like bacon, it’s still tastes amazing.
If you make this vegan coconut bacon, please be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other readers who are thinking about making the recipe.Ā
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How to make vegan coconut bacon that’sĀ smoky, sweet and crunchy just like regular bacon. It’s perfect for snacking or using in recipes that call for bacon like BLTs or chopped salads!
Ingredients
- 2 cups large flaked unsweetened coconut
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Braggs Liquid Aminos (coconut aminos or tamari would also work)
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 Tablespoon liquid smoke ā Colgin brand is plant-based, some are not
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325Ā°F.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together your aminos, liquid smoke, maple syrup and paprika. Once combined, pour coconut flakes into bowl and stir gently until all pieces are evenly coated with the sauce.
- Pour coconut onto a greased baking sheet. I used a baking stone (which doesn’t need to be oiled) and the coconut bacon didn’t stick at all.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes, taking the pan out to stir the coconut every 5 minutes. Make sure to keep a close eye on it at the end of the cooking process because it can easily burn.
- Once you have the coconut out of the oven, move it to a plate or bowl to cool — it will continue to crisp up a bit as it cools and should be perfectly crunchy at room temperature. The coconut bacon can be stored in an air-tight container and should last about a week. It didn’t last that long around here.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 77
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
Keywords: vegan coconut bacon
Melissa says
July 26, 2013 at 9:18 amWOW.. definitely so, so unique! Probably one of the most interesting recipes I’ve seen in awhile. I’d love to try making it sometime. Thanks so much for sharing!
Brittany @ Barr & Table says
July 26, 2013 at 9:28 amHahaha I honestly laughed out loud at the part about the green bean fries. This may or may not have happened to me with some of my recipe substitutions š
Brittany Mullins says
July 27, 2013 at 7:03 pmhaha. š
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
July 26, 2013 at 9:41 amI have seen the concept of using coconut to make “bacon” on another blog and I think that it is genius!! I cannot wait to give it a try!
Breanne says
July 26, 2013 at 10:22 amLove all of the wedding photos in the previous post! Such cute details everywhere š And my vegan friends have made me the bacon and talked about making stuffed dates!
jc says
July 26, 2013 at 11:37 amPlease visit NutrionFacts.Org for shocking and alarming facts about so called healthy fish!
Autumn says
July 26, 2013 at 1:53 pmLooks amazing enough to eat! I hope you do not mind, but I posed your recipe and a link to your blog on the Weight Watcher’s site. So if you get a lot of comments or traffic from WW members then you will know who the guilty, food loving party is.
Your blog is totally fun to follow and I love your face cream!
★★★★★
Autumn says
July 26, 2013 at 1:55 pmBTW, at 4 servings the coconut bacon is 6 points plus a serving. Used as a garnish and whatnot, the coconut bacon will not be so high in points.
Brittany Mullins says
July 27, 2013 at 6:57 pmThanks Autumn! š
Shel@PeachyPalate says
July 26, 2013 at 2:58 pmHAVE to make it!!! Didn’t even realise you were a pescatarian! š
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
July 26, 2013 at 6:50 pmOMG…these seriously sound amazing! I must make them asap!
Emily @ Sweet Summer Smiles says
July 27, 2013 at 10:10 amI’m not a huge fan of bacon but I love coconut and this looks amazing! I might have to try it out!
char eats greens says
July 27, 2013 at 11:27 amLOVE THIS!! Totally trying this out!!!
Sara @ sarasmiles says
July 27, 2013 at 2:52 pmNo words…Bacon wrapped dates are one of my favorite things but to make it vegan is even better!
Purelytwins says
July 27, 2013 at 6:40 pmLOVE it!
Bess says
July 28, 2013 at 4:55 pmOoo, really interesting! I laughed at the green bean thing — I am always shocked when people can tell my baked good are gluten-free, because I always think, this is so moist/delicious/whatever, it HAS to be just like gluten-full baked goods! Well, how should I know, I haven’t eaten gluten in ten years š
Katie says
July 28, 2013 at 8:56 pmDates are just SO versatile! Love this salty and sweet combo!
Elle says
July 29, 2013 at 9:19 amWhat a fun idea!
Dreena Burton says
July 30, 2013 at 10:00 pmDelighted to know that my FB post inspired you, Brittany! Your idea of stuffing the dates is brilliant, what a great salty/sweet/nutty contrast. Thanks for the mention and link. š
Brittany Mullins says
July 31, 2013 at 12:27 pmYou’re so welcome Dreena. I’m so glad I saw your post because I used to love bacon. š
Susan says
October 4, 2013 at 3:42 pmWas tricky finding the flaked coconut, but I did….Just made the coconut bacon…..is awesome!! Had some dates in pantry so tried with, so good!
Going to try on salad too! Will be making these regularly š
Thanks for awesome idea!
Anne says
August 3, 2016 at 4:59 pmThis is GENIUS!
Brittany Mullins says
August 4, 2016 at 10:00 amThank you!! It’s so good. š
Stella @ Stellicious Life says
August 15, 2016 at 11:54 amCan’t wait to try this (as just like you I used to love crispy, crunchy bacon)! Just one question: I don’t have liquid smoke, just smoked paprika, should I use more of that? Can the recipe be made without it? Thanks!
Brittany Mullins says
August 15, 2016 at 1:49 pmYes, you can make it without the liquid smoke. Maybe add a little Sriracha for some extra heat if you want, but otherwise it should be fine without the liquid smoke. Let me know how it turns out.