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A super easy and salty topping to any salad, soup or to eat just as a snack! Want it crispy or not? You can choose with this homemade take on a classic favorite.
Did you know that store-bought bacon-bit brands like Mccormick or Badia are, what we like to call, accidentally vegan? It's true! They're actually made from a soy product called TVP, or Textured Vegetable Protein, which is made from defatted soy flour.
Another fun fact about these amazing veggie bits is that they are cholesterol-free, packed with protein and fiber while also being low in fat!
These imitation bacon bits can be made in 5 minutes or less than 15 minutes! Why two different times? Because you can choose whether you want crunchy or soft bacon bits! That's right, say you want a softer texture to add to your favorite potato soup, or maybe you want to add some more crunch to your next BBQ side of macaroni salad.
🥘Ingredients
🧾Ingredient Notes
For Gluten-free, you can use tamari, or coconut aminos.
You can absolutely use liquid smoke or smoked salt to add a more smokey flavor. Of course if you're not a fan of those you can also use BBQ sauce, molasses, or marmite to add a smokey flavor.
Other acceptable sweeteners would be agave syrup, cane sugar, brown sugar, or date syrup. I am unsure about artificial sweeteners like Stevia, though. I feel it may change the flavor, but if you want to try it out, I won't stop you.
Do let me know if you did, though!
🔪 Instructions
- In a bowl, add the TVP and water.
- Then add in smoked paprika and maple syrup.
- Mix everything well until every bit is covered.
- Spread your TVP pieces out onto a baking sheet. If you've decided not to bake, allow all of the liquid to be absorbed into the bits by letting them rest for 5-10 minutes and place them into a container and refrigerator.
- You can also put them in an Air Fryer! This will 100% depend on your air fryer. I recommend covering the entire bottom of air fryer with foil or parchment paper. Be extra careful the paper/foil does not blow up and touch the heating elements.
- Bake in 5 minute intervals three times, being sure to mix in between, and then allow to rest. They will seem soft/chewy at first after baking, but leaving them sit to cool crisps them up
📖Storage
Keep in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 months. If not baking can keep in the fridge for up to a month.
I have not frozen these veggie bits, however, I do not see why they would not freeze and thaw well. Do let me know if it does not work, I want to keep my information accurate.
💭Serving Suggestions
There are several ways to enjoy these delicious crumbles!
- Vegan Egg Salad with Black Salt
- Baked Potato
- Top off casseroles
- Garnish your favorite soup
- Eat as a snack
What makes these TVP bacon bits the best?
- Vegan
- Easily made Gluten-free
- Homemade
- Done in minutes
- No Cholesterol
- 4 simple Ingredients
- Meaty
That depends! Vegan bacon can be made from many different things, like: TVP, coconut flakes, hemp seeds, tofu, or tempeh. But this is not an exhaustive list of course. There are surely tons of other amazing ways to make these delicious veggie bits!
📖 Recipe
Equipment
- 1 sheet pan
- 1 bowl
- 1 sheet of parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup TVP
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to
350 °F If baking. - In a bowl, place the TVP and all ingredients.1 cup TVP,1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika,2 teaspoons maple syrup,1 Tablespoon Soy sauce
- Mix well until all pieces look well coated. You should not have a lot, if any liquid left, but it is okay if you do.Q
- Spread TVP out onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. It's okay if they touch, just spread them as well as you can.
- If you are keeping them soft, you can place them in an airtight container after about 5 minutes of letting them rest and place them into the refrigerator.
- If you are going for crispy, once oven is ready, place sheet pan on middle rack and close the door. Bake for 5 minutes and then stir the bits around.
- Repeat the previous step 2 more times.
- Pull your bacon bits out of the oven and allow them to cool entirely. Then place in an airtight container in your pantry.
Notes
- For Gluten-Free - use Tamari or Coconut Aminos
- For soy-free - You could try hemp seeds! I haven't tried it yet but I have seen it done.
- More smoke flavor - Liquid smoke or smoked salt will get you the smokiness you're looking for!
- Other smoky flavors - If you're not a fan of liquid smoke (or smoked salt), you can also use BBQ sauce, molasses, or marmite to add a slightly smoky, but fantastic umami flavor that you're trying to achieve.
- Sugar substitute - You are welcome to skip the sugar entirely, or if you don't have maple syrup, you can use agave syrup, cane sugar, or brown sugar. I would not recommend alternative sugars like stevia because it may change the flavor. However, I am not stopping you! If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out!
Bree
A super easy and salty topping to any salad, soup or to eat just as a snack! Want it crispy or not? You can choose with this homemade take on a classic favorite.
Asher
I used to love Bacon! This should be a good way for me to continue loving Bacon in a non harmful way, thank you!
Bree
Fantastic! Thank you so much for the comment, Asher!