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Home » Recipes

Fake Bacon Bits Made with TVP

Published: Feb 12, 2022 by Bree - 3 Comments - This post may contain affiliate links - This blog generates income via ads

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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
Leave a Comment!

Fake Bacon Bits Made with TVP

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.
PREP TIME5 mins
COOK TIME10 mins
TOTAL TIME15 mins
Sauces and Condiments, Snack
Mixed
Vegan
20
Cal: 35
Author: Bree
Cost: 0.50

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 or 180 C. 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

Nutrition Facts
Fake Bacon Bits Made with TVP
Serving Size
 
1 tbsp
Amount per Serving
Calories
35
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.2
g
0
%
Sodium
 
90
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
22
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
3.9
g
1
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
0.9
g
1
%
Protein
 
4.5
g
9
%
Calcium
 
2
mg
0
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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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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