How to Make Coconut Bacon

April 15, 2020
Recipes
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We get it. People love bacon. And it's one of the things cited often when people say they could never give up meat. But if you're looking for that crispy, smoky flavor, this coconut bacon recipe might just do the trick for you.

There used to be a company called Phoney Baloney's that made outstanding coconut bacon. But sadly, they stopped production last year. And McCormick makes Bac'n Pieces that are vegan. But they have more of a crunch than a crispy, bacon-like texture.

Thankfully you don't have to rely on finding vegan bacon bits in the store. Once you realize how easy it is to make coconut bacon on your own, you'll never go back!

Please note, this post does contain affiliate links. If you do click through them and buy something, we will get a small commission that helps pay for costs involved in running a website. And we do appreciate it!

Challenges to making coconut bacon

To be honest, there are two challenges when making this coconut bacon recipe.

coconut bacon before cooking.

First, finding the right coconut. You want the large, wide unsweetened coconut strips, not shreds. Trader Joe's has the perfect kind of coconut, but you can find others online, too.

Second, you have to watch it REALLY closely towards the end of cooking. It can go from lightly browned to burnt quickly. That's one reason I made this coconut bacon recipe using my Mealthy CrispLid air fryer. (Curious about the CrispLid? Check out our video using it to make tots.) It's easy to see it while it's cooking. Even so, you can see a few pieces got a little extra brown. I ate them anyway. They didn't taste as burnt as they looked.

coconut bacon done cooking.

Don't worry; I also include oven instructions.

We love this coconut bacon sprinkled on soups, salads, baked potatoes - anywhere you would use bacon bits. While the pieces are a little small, the flavor would work well in a vegan BLT, too.

coconut bacon close up.
Print Recipe

Coconut Bacon

Adds that smoky, crispy crunch to salads, soups, and anywhere you'd use bacon crumbles.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time7 minutes
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 16
Calories: 37kcal

Equipment

  • Mealthy Crisplid

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried unsweetened coconut largest pieces you can find
  • 1 tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos or soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1/2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and toss to coat.
  • Line Mealthy Crisplid basket with parchment paper and spread mixture out evenly on top. Place the lid on top, fold handle down, and set to air fry for 5 minutes at 350ºF.
  • Open and stir every minute and a half. Watch carefully! It can burn quickly. It took about 5 minutes total using the Mealthy Crisplid. If you use another air fryer, your timing may be different.

Notes

Oven instructions: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spread mixture out on a parchment covered baking sheet. Bake around 12 minutes, stirring at the halfway mark. Watch carefully the last 6 minutes so they don't burn.
Serving size is about 1 tablespoon.

Now that you know how easy it is to make coconut bacon are you going to try it? How will you use it?

Laura Nunemaker

About the Author

Laura Nunemaker

vegan. full-time traveler. rv dweller. food lover. cow petter.

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