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
How-To Make Eggplant Bacon In Your Dehydrator
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!
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 2 Cups 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 Medium-Sized Eggplant
- 1 1/2 Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Onion Powder
Instructions
- Slice the eggplant into no thicker than 1/4 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.
Notes
*Using a mandoline can help, but using a sharp knife is just fine!
**The dehydrator I use.
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!
More bacon recipes:
- Vegan Coconut Bacon
- Baked Vegan Bacon Ranch Pasta Skillet
- Authentic Vegan German Potato Salad
- The Ultimate Vegan BLT
So tell me:
+ What is your favorite “meatless bacon”?
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Honest Mum says
I’ve never tried this but will now. Wow, they look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
So fun to make!
Farrah says
Well, that settles it! 😛 Time for me to break out my dehydrator again!! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
YEA! Bacon time!
Sheila says
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.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
A dehydrator is a fun appliance to have 😉
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
I didn’t even know this was a thing! I need to try this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is now!
Amber says
What great idea! I just love eggplant and I’m always looking for new dehydrator ideas!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That dehydrator always comes in handy for a few things 😉
Susan says
I’m fascinated. I definitely have to give this a try.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I hope you do! Let me know!
Roseann Hampton says
I’ve never eaten eggplant before but I love smoked paprika so pinning to give this one a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Wow, how is that possible?
Leigh says
This is so awesome! Love the idea of making crispy eggplant “bacon” as an alternative.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is such a fun little food hack 😉
Courtney- Life Of A Med School Wife Blog says
OMG yum! This sounds great
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks!
Lisa/Syncopated Mama says
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!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O yum must then!! The spice and flavor combos are endless too (beyond “bacon”!)
Jim Allen says
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.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s a great addition to so many meals!
Amy says
Oh YUM!! I feel like even my super picky kids would love this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think so!!
jehava says
This looks so amazing!! I love that it’s different too!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Right? So fun!
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries says
I’m not a huge bacon fan, so I’ll definitely need to try this (which I’ve never heard of!)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Well this is the kind of “bacon” you need then!
Cyndi says
I would have never thought about making eggplant in a dehydrator! Looks yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The best way to do it!
Caroline says
I’ve been thinking of getting a dehydrator for a while. Thanks for sharing this great recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s a nifty appliance to have!