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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Fake Bacon Bits Made with TVP

    Published: Feb 12, 2022 by Bree - 3 Comments - This post may contain affiliate links

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    This article may contain affiliate links. please check out my policy!

    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!

    Jump to:
    • 🥘Ingredients
    • 🧾Ingredient Notes
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 📖Storage
    • 💭Serving Suggestions
    • 📖 Recipe

    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

    overhead view of all ingredients with text labels.

    🧾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!

    A process combination photo showing the steps of how to make this dish.

    🔪 Instructions

    1. In a bowl, add the TVP and water.
    2. Then add in smoked paprika and maple syrup.
    3. Mix everything well until every bit is covered.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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
    a biteshot view of bits on macaroni salad on a wooden spoon.

    📖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
    What are vegan bacon bits made of?

    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

    extreme close up of bacon bits on wooden spoon.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Fake Bacon Bits Made with TVP

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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.
    Cook10 mins
    Total15 mins
    Servings - 20
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 sheet pan
    • 1 Spatula or Spoon
    • 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!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.9g | Protein: 4.5g | Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 22mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.9g | Calcium: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Share it with me! I'd love to see it!Mention @plantyofeats
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bree

      February 12, 2022 at 2:48 pm

      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.

      Reply
    2. Asher

      February 24, 2022 at 10:32 am

      5 stars
      I used to love Bacon! This should be a good way for me to continue loving Bacon in a non harmful way, thank you!

      Reply
      • Bree

        February 28, 2022 at 9:13 am

        Fantastic! Thank you so much for the comment, Asher!

        Reply

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