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Coconut Bacon made with smoky flavors and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup bakes up savory, crispy and is SO easy to make. It’s healthy, oil free and a tasty guilt-free vegan bacon!
I find it pretty amazing that you can replicate a baconish flavor and crispness with coconut flakes. It’s savory, crispy, and a great vegan ‘bacon’ for those looking to replace the other bacon with a cute face!
Now, I’m not going to fool you into believing this tastes exactly like bacon. But if you can appreciate it for what it is, and that it makes a pretty darn good plant-based bacon replacement – well then, I think you’re going to love this coconut bacon recipe as much as I do!
It’s super versatile and great to have on hand! It’s also super easy to make and bakes up fast within 15 minutes. Plus, it’s gluten free, grain free, and can be made oil free!
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Ingredients You’ll Need
In this recipe, coconut is tossed with tamari, pure maple syrup, smoked paprika and liquid smoked and baked until golden brown and crispy for a delicious faux vegan bacon!
Here is what you’ll need:
Coconut
Large flaked coconut with it’s wide, oversized flakes are perfect for making coconut bacon! I buy my large flaked coconut from the bulk section at my local Sprout’s, but you can find it on the shelves or online (affiliate link).
Tip: When purchasing your coconut flakes, make sure it’s all white, with no yellowing on the flakes – yellowing is a sign that it’s old or has not been properly stored.
Seasonings
- Tamari: To add saltiness and flavor, tamari, coconut aminos, or soy sauce will work wonders!
- Pure Maple Syrup: Use more or less maple syrup to suit your taste. I like the maple flavor and usually add a heaping tablespoon. Omit it if you don’t want any maple flavor at all.
- Liquid Smoke: There are different flavors of liquid smoke – hickory, mesquite, etc. – use your favorite. For a more intense smoke flavor, add up to 1 tablespoon more of the liquid smoke of choice. Since liquid smoke can be a little controversial, feel free to omit it. I’ve made coconut bacon without liquid smoke and it’s just as delicious, you may like to add a little extra smoked paprika instead.
- Smoked Paprika: The smoked paprika added a wonderful layer of warmth that I fell in LOVE with, and I highly recommend adding it to your coconut bacon seasoning.
How To Make Coconut Bacon
- Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the tamari, liquid smoke, maple syrup and paprika, making sure to break up any clumps. Add coconut flakes and gently toss to coat each flake well, about 45 seconds or so.
- Layer: Scoop seasoned coconut flakes onto a lightly greased, or parchment paper lined, rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle lightly with a bit of mineral salt if desired. Tip: The key will be to stir during baking to cook evenly, so don’t worry if the coconut flakes aren’t spread out perfectly even.
- Bake: Place in the oven, on the center rake, and bake for 15 minutes. Every 5 minutes stir the coconut flakes (you can see the progress in the above photo). Remove when coconut has a nice browned and caramelized color (pictured below). Tip: If you need to bake longer than 15 minutes, keep close and watch as the coconut bacon can burn very quickly at this point.
- Cool: Let the coconut bacon cool, it will get crispy as it cools.
How To Store Leftovers
Once completely cooled, store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the pantry for up to 2 months. If it softens a bit, re-crisp in the toaster oven on medium for a few minutes, or under the broiler for a few seconds, keeping an eye that it doesn’t burn.
Adjusting For Dietary Restrictions
- Oil-Free: To make this coconut bacon recipe oil free, simply use a silpat or parchment paper (affiliate links) to line your baking sheet, you won’t need to use any oil.
- Gluten-Free: For gluten free coconut bacon, use tamari or coconut aminos. If using coconut aminos, be sure to add a little extra salt since it isn’t as salty as tamari or soy sauce.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many possibilities with coconut bacon and I have no doubt that you will find all kinds of ways to add this quick and tasty tidbit to your meals! Here are a few of my favorite options:
- Sandwich: make the classic B.L.T. sandwich or wrap. It’s great on avocado toast too (shown below)!
- Soup: Add it on top of Split Pea Soup, Vegan Cauliflower Soup or Potato Leek Soup.
- Breakfast: Serve crumbled on Tofu Scrambles or .
- Salad: It’s great in this , Cobb Salador simple house salad.
- Veggies: Top it on stuffed or mashed potatoes, roasted veggies like brussels sprouts or other cooked vegetables, beans and/or legumes.
- Sweets: It’s perfect on theseButterscotch Cupcakes from PPK or theseMaple Bacon Donutsfrom Phoney Baloney’s.
Don’t want to make your own? No worries, you can purchase packaged coconut bacon right here:Phoney Baloney’s Coconut Bacon.
If you try this vegan bacon recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment and rate it below. I love to hear what you think, or any changes you make.
COCONUT BACON
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star
5 from 5 reviews
Coconut bacon – a healthy vegan ‘bacon’ alternative with all the flavor. Use on top of soups, salads, tofu scrambles, home fries. Make the classic B.L.T sandwich or wrap. Lots of ways to enjoy this simple and easy recipe!
- Author: Julie | The Simple Vegansita
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Makes 2 cups 1x
- Category: Side
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons tamari, coconut aminos or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoons liquid smoke, optional
- 1 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups large flaked coconut
- mineral salt for sprinkling, optional
- coconut oil for greasing, optional
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the tamari, liquid smoke, maple syrup and paprika, making sure to break up any clumps. Add coconut flakes and gently toss making sure to coat each flake well, toss for about 45 seconds or so.
Layer: Using a slotted spoon, scoop seasoned coconut flakes and place onto a lightly greased, or parchment paper lined, rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. The key is to stir during baking to cook evenly. Sprinkle lightly with a bit of mineral salt if desired.
Bake: Place in oven and bake for 15 minutes. Set the timer for intervals of 5 minutes and stir each time making sure to rearrange all pieces by bringing the center flakes to the outside, and the outside flakes to the center for even cooking. If making a double batch and using two cookie sheets, you may even like to change the position of the sheets in the oven after the second interval, moving the top sheet to the bottom rack and vice versa. Remove when coconut has a nice browned and caramelized color.
If for some reason you need to bake longer than 15 minutes, keep close and watch as the coconut bacon can burn very quickly at this point. I really babied my coconut bacon towards the end, it’ll be worth your while if you do too so it doesn’t burn.
Cool:Let cool, it will get crispy as it cools.
Store: Once completely cooled you can store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the pantry for up 1 to 2 months. If it softens a bit, re-crisp in the toaster oven on medium for a few minutes, or under the broiler for a few seconds, keeping an eye that it doesn’t burn.
Makes 28, 2 tablespoons, servings.
Notes
Use more or less maple syrup to suit your taste. I like the maple flavor and usually add a heaping tablespoon. Omit it if you don’t want any maple flavor at all.
Keep in mind there are different flavors of liquid smoke – ie, hickory, mesquite, etc., use your favorite. For a more intense smoke flavor, add up to 1 tablespoon more of the liquid smoke of choice.
If not using liquid smoke, add 1/2 teaspoon more smoked paprika and a dash or two more of tamari.
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Using a silpat or parchment paper will help to keep your coconut bacon oil-free! (affiliate links)
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