Making coconut bacon is a lot easier than you think! This how-to tutorial recipe for Easy Vegan Coconut Bacon is gluten-free, allergy-free, paleo, free of store-bought additives, oil-free, and sugar-free! Of all the vegetarian bacon substitutes, this one is all natural and lasts for months, making it a great homemade staple!
Here at Strength and Sunshine, you know we're big fans of the famous dehydrator eggplant bacon. However, eggplant bacon isn't a great fit for EVERY recipe that calls for meatless bacon. Coconut bacon, on the other hand, is fit for just about every vegan bacon need. It's crisp, crunchy, won't get soggy (like eggplant bacon would), can be sprinkled, piled on, layered in, eaten by the handful, and pretty much lasts forever. Basically, if you don't have a jar of homemade coconut bacon in the pantry...are you even living?
My only beef (or...pork?) with most coconut bacons on the market is that fact that they're not allergy-free. Hint: They contain soy and/or wheat/gluten due to their notable use of soy sauce. That's why it's prime time we learn how to make our own vegan coconut bacon that's top allergen-free, safe for celiacs, and free of anything we don't "need" in our natural "bacon" substitute!
What is in vegan coconut bacon?
This coconut bacon is simple, quick, and just needs a few ingredients to make it..."bacony"! It's completely, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, peanut-free, corn-free, sesame-free, sugar-free (optional), oil-free, paleo, keto-friendly, and basically your new favorite pantry staple (that you didn't even know you were missing out on!)
What you need:
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
- Smoked Paprika
- Smoked Sea Salt
- Pure Maple Syrup or Sugar-Free Sweetener or Sugar-Free Maple
- Coconut Aminos
- Black Pepper
Many recipes call for liquid smoke. I used to use liquid smoke in recipes, but after doing more research and really looking at what's in liquid smoke, I'm kind of grossed out. This is all natural coconut bacon, so besides the coconut aminos, every ingredient is of single-origin. I opted to get the smokiness from smoked paprika and smoked sea salt. The smoked sea salt hits two needed flavor aspects. The smokiness and the saltiness of real bacon.
How to make coconut bacon
The best thing about making vegan coconut bacon right at home is that it's quick, easy, you can make the quantity you want, and adjust the flavoring perfectly to your tastebuds! There are really only 2 steps, 3 if you count putting it in a storage jar!
The simple steps:
- Mix the coconut flakes/chips with the seasonings.
- Bake in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to make sure nothing burns.
- Letting it cool COMPLETELY before storing it in an airtight jar or container.
I wasn't joking! It's that easy and just like making granola! Just make sure to keep an eye on it (that's why you mix it around on the baking sheet every few minutes) so nothing burns. You'll know when it's done as it will be nicely browned and crunchy! You can double, triple the amount you make as well! Just add this recipe to your weekly and/or monthly meal prep routine so you're never out-of-stock.
How to store
Once you've baked the coconut bacon and have allowed it to cool completely at room temperature, right on the baking sheet, you can just transfer it to a glass jar or closed airtight container. Store it in a cool, dry, place (aka your pantry or spice cabinet) and you'll have meatless bacon bits at the ready! It can last for at least 6 months if stored properly!
How to use coconut bacon
You can sprinkle it on salads, mix it into pasta or grain dishes, use it in a sandwich, add it to a savory breakfast scramble, or even mix it into or top baked goods with it!
Recipes to get you started:
- Baked Vegan Bacon Ranch Pasta Skillet
- Authentic Vegan German Potato Salad
- The Ultimate Vegan BLT
- Vegan Chickpea Scramble
- Vegan Chickpea Flour Omelette
Easy Vegan Coconut Bacon
Vegan Coconut Bacon (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free, Paleo)
Making coconut bacon is a lot easier than you think! This how-to tutorial recipe for Easy Vegan Coconut Bacon is gluten-free, allergy-free, paleo, free of store-bought additives, oil-free, and sugar-free! Of all the vegetarian bacon substitutes, this one is all natural and lasts for months, making it a great homemade staple!
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 8 ounces 1x
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 (8oz) Bag Unsweetened Coconut Flakes
- 2 Tsp Coconut Aminos
- 1 ½ Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 Tsp Smoked Sea Salt
- 1 Tsp Pure Maple Syrup or 1 TB Sugar-Free Sweetener or 1 Tsp Sugar-Free Maple
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Mix the coconut flakes and seasonings in a large bowl to coat.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat and spread the prepared coconut bacon evenly on the sheet.
- Bake the coconut bacon in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to make sure nothing burns.
- Remove the finished coconut bacon from the oven and allow it to cool COMPLETELY before storing it in an airtight jar or container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ Cup
Now you must share with me how you'll be using your homemade coconut bacon first! There are endless possibilities and it won't be the last time you'll see it being used in recipes on Strength and Sunshine (that's for sure!)
So tell me:
+ What will you use it on first?
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Angela
WOW!!! Thank you For sharing this recipe with us I'm sure that it will give an amazing taste to salads and pizza.
Rebecca Pytell
Pizza would be great!
Kimberly
I just made it! Very yummy but very salty next time I made it I’m going to cut down on the salt & coconut aminos. I also added a little more maple and smoked paprika....
Rebecca Pytell
What salt did you use? What brand of coconut aminos?
Miz Helen
I haven't tried the Coconut Bacon yet but it looks really good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is a must!
Lee MacArthur
This looks good. I'll have to try it when I get home again. Thank you for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
If you have all the ingredients, go for it!
Briana
This is so different! Cool!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I guess so since you felt the need to comment!
Ellen
Oh my goodness this is a bit different! I’m very curious, will have to give it a go!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Rather common in the vegan space!
Aarka
This is such an interesting idea for vegan bacon. I can't wait to give it a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can turn any veggie/fruit into "bacon"!
Rachel R Ritlop
this sounds so good! I'm going ot have to grab some coconuts from the backyard and try!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Lol, what?
Amber
I have never seen this done before! So interesting and def on my to-do list for recipes to try out soon.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Just a pantry essential, barely a "recipe"!
Katherine
Um, wow I didn't even know that coconut bacon was a thing and it sounds DELICIOUS! Can't wait to try this recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's super common, actually!
Erin
I am absolutely going to try this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You should, why not?!
Sarah Dudley
These sound and look AMAZING!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I can't believe you said that 🙂
Annaliese
I LOVE coconut and had no idea you could use it to make a vegan bacon! How cool is that?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The perfect vegan bacon bit!
Leigh Suznovich
Wow, I have never seen anything like this! I am completely intrigued and need to try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Coconut bacon is widely available but much better homemade and allergy-free.
Mar
This is so interesting, I've never really considered an alternative to bacon before.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Why's that?
Heather
I've never seen anything like this! I have to try it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Pretty common, thanks.
Bettie
Oh, thank you for the recipe. Never tried this before, but I will definitely make this soon!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Glad you find it useful!
Charisty Haislip
We haven’t had bacon in so long! I can’t wait to try this. I think it will go on some twice baked potatoes. Love that you can store it so easily! And I’m SO glad it’s soy free, that is such an issue for us. I’m glad you get it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect and that sounds like a delicious potato waiting to happen!
Niomi, Stellar Wellness
This looks delicious! I am wheat and dairy free and mainly vegan (though not 100% now during pregnancy) so your page is sooo useful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a great pantry essential to keep!