Name: Coconut Chip "Bacon" - Vegan Bacon!
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened coconut chips (NOT shredded coconut), lightly packed; 1 tablespoon tamari sauce (or soy sauce if not gluten-free); 1/2 tablespoon liquid smoke; 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce

Jump to Recipe

Coconut Chip “Bacon” – Coconut chips baked with soy sauce or tamari, maple syrup, liquid smoke and a touch of sriracha. Vegan bacon bits!

Coconut Flake vegan bacon on cast iron with spatula after cooking

Since I’ve been trying out other meat substitutes like jackfruit, I thought it would be fun to make this vegan bacon too!

True story: The first time I heard the term “coconut bacon,” I thought it just meant coconut-flavored bacon.

Turns out it’s actually unsweetened coconut CHIPS (not the shredded coconut flakes) with flavorings to make it taste like bacon!

And no, it doesn’t taste like coconut.

Fun fact: Many regular bacon bit brands are actually vegan too. It’s just flavored 🙂

all ingredients to make vegan coconut bacon - coconut flakes, liquid smoke, maple syrup, sriracha sauce, tamari sauce

I tried at least 4 different versions of coconut bacon bits.

This version though? It is grandpa approved.

If you know my grandpa, you would know he’s a big bacon guy.

I gave him a bag of this stuff and asked him to try it, without telling him what it was. As he tasted it, his eyes lit up and he reached for more, saying “It tastes like bacon!”

Seriously wish I had a video of it.

Obviously he knew I wasn’t giving him real bacon, so once I told him what it was, he took back a little bit of his excitement. Meat-eaters can’t be converted in one sitting, guys. They get pretty wary about meat substitutes.

But I still take his first reaction to be the most credible.

Coconut Chips baked into bacon on cast iron pan

It sounds weird, but measuring the coconut chips can be tricky depending on the brand you’re using.

The bag I got from Trader Joe’s said there was less than 2 cups inside, but I measured close to 5 cups!

That must mean that they “pack” it when it’s measured (like you would brown sugar).

Other recipes I’ve seen I have no mention of packing. Something to just be aware of when you’re making these!

You want the coconut chips to only be lightly coated with the liquid. If it seems soggy, measure in more coconut chips.

coconut chips in clear bowl with some of the liquid added to make bacon (before mixing)

Coconut Chips spread out on cast iron pan before baking into vegan bacon

Side note/life lesson: be very careful with liquid smoke bottles! The first time I went to try this, the bottle fell from the cupboard and broke. Liquid smoke everywhere.

My kitchen smelled like a barbeque for a week.

Also: What do I call this? Fak-on? Coco-con? Baco-nut? I’ll work on it.

Yield: 1 cup

Coconut Chip "Bacon" - Vegan Bacon!

Coconut Chip "Bacon" - Coconut chips/flakes baked with soy sauce or tamari, maple syrup, liquid smoke and a touch of sriracha. Vegan bacon!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened coconut chips (NOT shredded coconut), lightly packed
1 tablespoon tamari sauce (or soy sauce if not gluten-free)
1/2 tablespoon liquid smoke
1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon sriracha sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Add coconut to a small bowl. In another small bowl, combine tamari sauce, liquid smoke, maple syrup and sriracha. Pour over coconut chips and cover evenly.
Spray a cast iron pan or cookie sheet (I use coconut oil spray) and spread coconut chips in an even layer.
Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes (or until crispy), tossing with a spatula halfway through.
Serve on salads, sandwiches, eggs, etc.

Notes

You want the coconut chips to only be lightly coated with the liquid before baking. Depending on the size and brand of your chips, measurements could vary slightly. If it seems soggy after mixing in the liquid, add in more coconut!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1/4 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 188Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 317mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 4gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g

Nutrition information is calculated automatically by an online tool at Nutritionix. It is not always accurate. Please use your own tools to check if you rely on this information.