Here is a simple and easy way to make meatless, gluten-free, vegan, paleo, raw, and allergy-free eggplant bacon right in your dehydrator! Eggplant bacon is a great smoky, crispy, no oil, no fat, low-calorie and carb vegetarian swap to the greasy classic!
A few weeks ago I realized I never shared a proper tutorial on how to make my favorite “bacon” (aka, eggplant bacon!) You’ve seen me use it before in my popular “Ultimate Vegan BLT” recipe and I have another recipe coming up on Monday that uses it. I have a few other recipes that require the eggplant bacon in the “to-post” files as well, but always held off because I knew I needed to get a tutorial up before I went to “bacon-crazy” on the blog!
Confession time, I was never a big “bacon” person to begin with. I’m not sure why “bacon” is such a trendy thing. I mean…bacon toothpaste? I don’t think so. However, eggplant bacon, even coconut bacon, is about 100x more enjoyable (not to mention meatless, greaseless, and healthy!) It’s really just that smoky flavor that’s delicious. I get to go all-out with my smoked paprika addiction here! Not to mention, eggplant bacon is basically the only thing I use my dehydrator for! I’ve dried herbs before too, but mostly the dehydrator is used for making super crispy and light eggplant bacon! I was so excited to get it a few years ago for Christmas as my big “kitchen appliance” for the year.
It is a fun appliance to have and super easy to use. Just place your “ingredients” on the trays, set the temperature, and let it do its thing for a few hours (sucking out the liquid and drying your food!) You can dehydrate so many things! It’s great for not wasting food. If you have veggies, fruit, herbs, (even meat..so I’ve been told) that are about to go bad, just slice them up super thin (using a mandoline is great!) and let the dehydrator save you $$$. Of course, if you just get the craving for some meatless eggplant bacon and a good vegan BLT…that’s a good reason to get out the dehydrator too!
Eggplant Bacon
- 1 Medium-Sized Eggplant
- 1½ Tsp Smoked Paprika
- ¼ Tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tsp Onion Powder
- Slice the eggplant into no thicker than ¼ inch round or long slices.*
- Toss the slices in a bowl with the spices, rubbing the spices into all sides of the eggplant rounds.
- Place the eggplant slices evenly spaced out on dehydrator trays and set them back into the dehydrator.
- Set the dehydrator to 140-145°F and let the eggplant bacon dehydrate for 4-6 hours (depending on the thickness or until they get crispy).
- Store in an airtight container or bag.
Super easy! You can add extra spices, different “bacon” flavor ideas, whatever you want to customize! Also I just eyeball the spice amounts as every eggplant is different in size so amounts and yields will vary! Adding some maple sugar might be delicious too for a “sweeter” maple bacon flavor! Or some black pepper or cayenne for a spicy kick! Regardless, get ready for ALL the eggplant bacon recipes now! No time but the present to get a dehydrator too!
So tell me:
+ What is your favorite “meatless bacon”?
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I’ve never tried this but will now. Wow, they look delicious!
So fun to make!
Well, that settles it! 😛 Time for me to break out my dehydrator again!! 😀
YEA! Bacon time!
This is great. Now, I want to have a dehydrator for my birthday. Will definitely keep this recipe in mind as I am so interested to try this egglant bacon combo.
A dehydrator is a fun appliance to have 😉
I didn’t even know this was a thing! I need to try this!
It is now!
What great idea! I just love eggplant and I’m always looking for new dehydrator ideas!
That dehydrator always comes in handy for a few things 😉
I’m fascinated. I definitely have to give this a try.
I hope you do! Let me know!
I’ve never eaten eggplant before but I love smoked paprika so pinning to give this one a try!
Wow, how is that possible?
This is so awesome! Love the idea of making crispy eggplant “bacon” as an alternative.
It is such a fun little food hack 😉
OMG yum! This sounds great
Thanks!
It’s funny, because I dehydrate eggplant, zucchini and squash all the time, but I’ve never put any spices on them — I also manage to gobble up every.single.tray. as soon as they’re done! But this sounds really yummy, too, so I might have to try it soon. Pinning!
O yum must then!! The spice and flavor combos are endless too (beyond “bacon”!)
Very creative recipie for your dehydrator. I’m always looking for healthier eating options, and I love eggplant so will give this a try. Thanks for the great info.
It’s a great addition to so many meals!
Oh YUM!! I feel like even my super picky kids would love this!
I think so!!
This looks so amazing!! I love that it’s different too!
Right? So fun!
I’m not a huge bacon fan, so I’ll definitely need to try this (which I’ve never heard of!)
Well this is the kind of “bacon” you need then!
I would have never thought about making eggplant in a dehydrator! Looks yummy!
The best way to do it!
I’ve been thinking of getting a dehydrator for a while. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
It’s a nifty appliance to have!