Learn how to make Vegan Coconut Bacon Without Liquid Smoke in this easy-to-follow recipe!
I originally posted this recipe back in 2015, with a vegan cobb salad recipe. Today I’m reposting the master recipe with updated photos to show how you can make vegan coconut bacon without liquid smoke!
I stopped eating red meat when I was 8, and I went mostly vegetarian when I was 13. It’s never been hard for me to give up meat because I don’t care for the taste. But the one thing that I did kind of miss was bacon. Going out for breakfast with my friends, I’d smell the bacon from the kitchen and wish I could have it (even though I didn’t!). So when I adopted a mostly plant-based diet, figuring out a bacon alternative was high on my list!
When I first started looking into coconut bacon recipes, almost all of them called for liquid smoke. I bought a bottle of it and tried making a few popular recipes. But the taste honestly made me gag – it was aggressive, off-putting, and tasted like I had inhaled ash from a fire. So I set out to create the perfect vegan coconut bacon WITHOUT liquid smoke – and after months (yes, it took me that long) of testing, I succeeded at my mission!
I’m not going to lie, this coconut bacon doesn’t taste exactly like bacon. But it’s savory, filled with umami, and addictingly crunchy. The marinade that gives it the flavor is top notch (if I do say so myself). This coconut bacon is perfect for making vegan BLTs, or even in a vegetarian breakfast salad!
I hope you love this recipe! If you try it, be sure to tag me on Instagram with your photo using the hashtag #wellandfull :)
Recipes that use Vegan Coconut Bacon Without Liquid Smoke:
Vegan Coconut Bacon Without Liquid Smoke
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Coconut Flakes
- 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 1/2 Tbs Tamari or Soy Sauce
- 1 1/2 Tbs Sriracha
- 2 Tsp Maple Syrup
- 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a bowl, combine coconut flakes with all other ingredients. Let the coconut flakes marinate for about 10 minutes.
- Place the coconut flakes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (do NOT skip the parchment paper - it will stick otherwise). Try to evenly space out the coconut flakes so that there is as little overlap as possible.
- Once the oven is at 350 degrees, bake the coconut bacon for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, take the coconut bacon out and stir again. Once the coconut is evenly spaced out again, bake for another 2 minutes.
- Repeat the previous step IN TWO MINUTE INTERVALS, taking the coconut bacon out and stirring every time. BE CAREFUL, it can go from perfectly cooked to burnt in little time!
- Towards the end of the cooking time, check your coconut bacon in 30-40 second intervals to ensure that it doesn't burn!
- In total, your coconut should bake for anywhere between 10-15 minutes (including the first 5 minute bake). However, this time may vary based on your oven.
- When the coconut bacon is done, it is slightly blacked on the edges but not burnt. See photos for reference. Let the coconut bacon cool completely (it will continue crisping as it cools on the baking sheet).
- Use the coconut bacon immediately, or store in a glass jar on your countertop (do not refrigerate - it can become soggy) for 2-3 days.
- Enjoy!
Notes
P.S.
If you make this recipe and post it on Instagram, be sure to tag me @wellandfull and #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your takes on my recipes :)
13 Comments
Katya
April 30, 2019 at 7:37 amThe first time I tried making coconut bacon I actually did use shredded coconut and it was disgusting :D
Liquid smoke is a mystery to me, I’ve never seen it in shops where I live, so I always added a ton of soy sauce and smoked paprika, especially hot smoked paprika (like dried chipotle) and it did the trick. Thank you for your version, it looks good! :)
Aaand I haven’t seen the new header yet! It’s so scrumptious! :)
Sarah
April 30, 2019 at 9:22 amWhen I tried other coconut bacon recipes at first, I bought liquid smoke off Amazon because I couldn’t find it in stores! It was just way too overpowering for me. Smoked paprika is definitely the way to go! :) And thank you, I’m so glad you like the new header :)
R.H.
April 30, 2019 at 11:31 amI made this as soon as I saw the recipe! The coconut bacon came out really crispy, I had it with some hard boiled eggs and sweet potato. Will definitely be making this again!
Sarah
May 1, 2019 at 8:25 amI’m so glad you liked the recipe! Thanks so much for leaving a note :)
Camila
May 2, 2019 at 12:38 pmWow, this looks like a game changer!!! Delicious!
Sarah
May 3, 2019 at 8:42 amThank you!! :)
Claire Cary
May 4, 2019 at 4:56 pmI’ve never tried coconut bacon but this looks so yummy and easy!!
sheenam | thetwincookingproject.net
May 5, 2019 at 3:08 amLooks yum!!!
Sarah
May 5, 2019 at 1:38 pmThank you!
Roberta Dall'Alba
May 7, 2019 at 6:28 amCouldn’t wait to find a recipe to make coconut bacon without liquid smoke!!
Sarah
May 7, 2019 at 2:43 pmI’m glad you found this one! :)
Kioi
May 29, 2019 at 6:43 amlooking at the pics just looks awesome….. I always love to try out new things…am sure trying this out tonight….crossing my fingers which me luck!!!
Sarah
May 29, 2019 at 9:58 amThank you! :) I hope you like the recipe!