This Easy Coconut Bacon is the vegan (and gluten-free) alternative to “real bacon”! Made with coconut flakes, soy sauce, liquid smoke, and maple syrup, this recipe is so easy and ready in just 15 minutes!
Wait, what? What the heck is coconut bacon? What do you even use it for? (Hint: everything.)
I’ve actually had this recipe for a long time but I thought it finally deserved its own post. It’s THAT good. I know it sounds weird, but trust me on this one, guys. This is the EASIEST RECIPE EVER. It’s vegan, gluten-free, so tasty!
What is coconut bacon?
Coconut bacon is a vegan alternative to pork bacon. It’s made with unsweetened flaked coconut, soy sauce, liquid smoke, and pure maple syrup.
Once baked it takes on a slightly chewy, yet crispy texture – much like “real” bacon.
Use it as a topping for anything and everything: salads, nachos, sandwiches, pasta . . . or just eaten by the handful.
Ingredients
The ingredient list is short and sweet to make coconut bacon:
- Coconut Flakes – use unsweetened, flaked coconut. This resembles diced bacon. Do NOT use sweetened or shredded coconut. The texture won’t be the same.
- Soy Sauce – mimics the saltiness in bacon. Use coconut aminos or soy sauce for a gluten-free version!
- Liquid Smoke – gives that smoky, bacon flavor.
- Maple Syrup – adds just a little bit of sweetness to offset the salty, smoky flavor. Be sure to use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
Other than using a gluten free alternative to the soy sauce, I don’t recommend making any other substitutions.
How to make coconut bacon
To save on dishes, measure out your ingredients and place them directly on your baking sheet then toss to combine; less dirty dishes are the best:
- Toss all your ingredients together on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Bake in the oven until it’s golden brown, crispy, and delicious then enjoy!
Make sure you keep a really close eye on the coconut while it’s baking. It can burn very quickly!
What to make with coconut bacon
Use it as a soup garnish, an avocado toast topping, in a sandwich, on a salad, or just pour it in a bowl and eat it plain by the spoonful.
Coconut bacon is best used as a last minute garnish or topping. If mixed and/or baked with wet ingredients, it will lose its flavor, crispness, and become too chewy.
- Breakfasts: sprinkle it on scrambled eggs or use it to top my healthy breakfast sandwiches.
- Soups: top this crockpot butternut squash soup with coconut bacon for a wonderful smoky crunch.
- Sandwiches: make a “B”LTA – “bacon”, lettuce, tomato, avocado sandwich, pleaseandthankyou!
- Side Dishes: use it as a garnish on these roasted veggies or on top of these baked sweet potato fries.
- Salad: use it as a substitute for real bacon on this maple bacon spinach salad!
How would YOU use this coconut bacon? Let me know in the comments below!
How to store
This vegan bacon is best served immediately.
It can, however, be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the freezer for up to a month.
To re-crisp, place on a silicone mat lined baking sheet and put it in the oven at 350 degrees F and heat for a few minutes until warm.
Be sure you’re keeping a close eye on it so that it doesn’t burn!
This easy coconut bacon is where it’s at!
– Jennifer
Easy Coconut Bacon
Equipment for this recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup large unsweetened flaked coconut (not regular shredded coconut!)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or gluten free alternative
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup not pancake syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Whisk together soy sauce, liquid smoke, and maple syrup.
- Toss flaked coconut and sauce together and place onto prepared baking sheet.
- Make sure the coconut is in a thin layer.
- Bake for 6-12 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes, so the "bacon" can dry out and crisp up a bit!
- Serve immediately!
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Nutrition Information
*Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.
This post has been updated to provide more detailed content.
Chef
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
Sue
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy