20+ Crunchy, Salty Vegan Bacon Recipes (2024)

These crunchy, salty, tasty vegan bacon recipes may just convert a few carnivores!

By Lora O’Brien

People just get obsessed with bacon. In Britain, eating it after a big night out is a popular way to cure a hangover; there’s an actual App where you can quite literally wake up and smell the scent of bacon cooking. There are bacon scented cigarette papers. When bacon was officially declared as one of the unhealthiest foods in the world, people rebelled with a #jesuisbacon hashtag on Twitter. And get this – for real – bacon scented candles are even a thing.

The world, it seems, is bonkers…for bacon. And that’s a terrible thing. Pigs are just as intelligent as – or perhaps even more intelligent than – dogs. But we pen them in to tiny, dark, depressing spaces worthy of a horror movie for their short lives. I still remember reading Charlotte’s Web and watching Babe as a kid and being horrified at the thought of eating any meat ever again. Those are good reminders that behind all the meat that we eat, there’s always an innocent life taken and savagely abused. With recent claims (such as from the movie What the Health) that eating bacon and other packaged meats is just as unhealthy for you as smoking a cigarette, it’s surprising that we haven’t woken up to the fact that bacon is a silent killer.

So what’s the attraction to bacon, anyway? I’d argue it’s that fat that delivers some flavour, plus the combo of crunch and saltiness. I mean, it’s basically the same reason we like potato chips, right? But with way, way more cruelty.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to recreate those winning taste features of bacon, but through vegan foods.

Here, I’ve found some great recipes with vegan bacon made from various plant-based foods that provide delicious crunchy saltiness. Plus, they may just help ease a few carnivores you know out of their animal-eating ways.

Crunchy, Salty Vegan Bacon Recipes

1. How To Make Vegan Bacon Out of Almost Anything

First up, you need to learn how to make vegan bacon for these recipes below. Luckily, the people over at Oh My Veggies are clever! They’ve come up with ways of making vegan bacon out of just about any plant-based material – think eggplant, tofu, almonds, chickpeas…

So any time you want to make any of the recipes on this page, there’s always something on hand to help you get that bacon factor in there!

Of course, when crumbled, all of these vegan bacon recipes become instant ‘bacon bits’. Which are almost as good as the ‘real’ thing, since there’s not usually any actual bacon in those bits, you know!

Get the recipe here.

2. Maple “Bacon” & Pecan Buttermilk Pancakes

Bacon and maple syrup is a popular North American indulgence, so we’re bringing the sweet and salty breakfast dish to you in a MUCH healthier (and meat-free) way. Fluffy pancakes drizzled with maple syrup and topped with crunchy chunks of coconut bacon, you won’t sob for Okja whilst you tuck into a stack of these.

Get the recipehere.

3. Vegan Avocado Melt with Coconut Bacon

Oh my, this sandwich just looks the bomb, right? And it’s great if you want something quick to make. Crispy on the outside but packed with creamy avocado, roasted red peppers and a little savory coconut bacon on the inside. I’ll take two, please!

Get the recipehere.

4. Vegan Bacon Wrapped Mini Breakfast Burritos

I love burritos, so a burrito I can have at breakfast time? Yes, please! These are like little breakfast rolls made from vegan bacon and tofu eggs with a whole lot of veggies crammed in there such as sweet potato, red peppers and sauteed broccoli. Eat them freshly made or have them once they’re a little bit cooler. Either way, they’ll taste damn good.

Get the recipehere.

5. Butterscotch Cupcakes With Coconut-Bacon

Sweet and delicious butterscotch mixed with the saltiness of bacon sounds a bit weird, I know – but this recipe makes it all taste so right. It kind of reminds me of salted caramel chocolate, and who doesn’t love that? Now pop that kettle on and make a pot of tea and enjoy the cupcake of all cupcakes.

Get the recipehere.

6. Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza

Ever look at a menu and struggle to choose between a burger or a pizza? Well, not you can combine the two into this mouth-watering culinary duo; cheeseburger pizza! Salty, savory and delish!

Get the recipehere.

7. Vegan Salted Dark Chocolate Maple Bacon Bark

Whilst this recipe came around by a recipe experiment gone right, we’re super happy because it means we can make this chocolate bark recipe again and again and again. Throw the coconut bacon into some melted chocolate and wait for it to dry. Once it does so you’ll be left with some ‘bacon’ infused chocolate that’s all about that magical salty/sweet combo yet once again.

Get the recipehere.

8. Vegan Goat Cheese Bacon Wrapped Dates

Okay, I gotta be real with you here; the idea of medjool dates mixed with cheese and bacon makes me feel somewhat queasy. I mean, what?! But since looking further into this recipe I’m a little curious. The result is a tangy, crunchy, rich, smoky and sweet all at once. And they’re bite-sized, so they make wonderful appetizers if you’re having guests over.

Get the recipehere.

9. Vegan Baked Potatoes with Black Beans & Coconut Bacon

If you love baked potatoes, then you need to up your game and bake them again – but this time, fill them up with things like vegan cheese, shallots and mushrooms. Top them off with black beans and ‘bacon,’ and prepare to take a trip to carb heaven!

Get the recipehere.

10. Vegan Cheddar Bacon Dip

Typically, a cheese and bacon sauce would have me thinking of calories and clogged arteries. I mean, for real. Well not anymore. This vegan dip is made from chickpeas and some nutritional yeast to give it that cheesy flavour. It’s then infused with a selection of spices such as garlic, smoked paprika and turmeric. It’s not all that pretty, but it tastes so damn good!

Get the recipe here.

11. Portobello Mushroom Bacon Sandwich

Portobello mushrooms are a really great meat substitute as they toughen up and have that meaty texture. You can marinate them with ingredients to really bring them to life. Adding some powdered or liquid smoke gives foods that salt and smoky flavour, whilst the maple syrup gives them a delicate sweetness and makes them sticky.

Get the recipehere.

12. Vegan Bacon Ricotta Crostini

Forget toast – make this crusty crostini recipe instead. The base is crusty bread that’s then topped with creamy cashew ricotta cheese, vegan crispy bacon and finally drizzled with maple syrup. It’s rich a decadent without being overpoweringly sickly sweet. Plus the vegan ricotta cheese will come in handy when making other recipes.

Get the recipe here.

13. Citrus Brussel Sprout Slaw with Rice Paper Bacon Bits

This salad recipe reminds me of a Caesar salad with its crisp lettuce, crunchy bacon and the sprinkle of Parmesan – except the base of this recipe if Brussels sprouts. Just a tip if you’re not a fan of your sprouts: try baking them. They taste SO good, and will have even those who loathe them suddenly in love.

Get the recipe here.

14. Vegan Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit

Remember those breakfast burgers that you’d get at fast food joints? They’re greasy and a little bad for us but we can’t help but enjoy them. Well, this recipe will be like a dream. Olive oil biscuits encase vegan bacon, tofu egg and vegan cheese, and it’s just mouthful after mouthful of pure food p*rn bliss.

Get the recipehere.

15. Brussels Sprouts with Mushroom “Bacon”

Brussels and bacon is a popular dish, especially during festive periods. But why wait until then? Spike your five-a-day with a little bacon bliss and enjoy this as a side dish whenever the hell you like. The bacon is made from mushrooms, which work really well to absorb the salty-smoky combo so each mouthful is loaded with flavour.

Get the recipe here.

16. Baked Potato Waffles with Coconut Bacon

Heads up – this tasty potato waffle recipe is vegetarian, not vegan, but it’s super easy to make these vegan; simply switch the butter out for a dairy-free version, and use vegan sour cream and cheese.

Get the recipe here.

17. Vegan Pierogis with Coconut Bacon

Russian/Ukrainian/Polish food isn’t best known for its healthiness – there’s usually a lot of white flour and animal fat involved. But if you’ve ever had pierogis, you’ll know that these little ravioli-like dumplings, which are normally fried in bacon fat and served with sour cream, are manna from heaven. And now that they’re vegan, they’re even better (and a helluvalot healthier!)

Get the recipehere.

18. Vegan Bean with Bacon Soup

I don’t know about you, but I’m one of those people that can eat soup whatever the season. Summer or winter, put a bowl of soup down in front of me and I’m happy. And this soup is super rich and creamy with a base of white beans for a protein hit. There are lots of veggies snuck in there so this is a great soup if you’re trying to entice little ones to eat their five-a-day. My favourite part? Obviously, the smoky tempeh bacon sprinkled on the top. Forget croutons – soup toppings are getting fancy.

Get the recipe here.

19. Coconut Bacon Mac & Cheese

I was never much a fan of mac and cheese, until going vegan that is. Most it felt cloyed and sticky, whereas now I find it delicious and way lighter. Take your bowl to the next step by topping it with some cashew sour cream to really make it yummy. Plus extra bacon sprinkles of course!

Get the recipe here.

20. Vegan Butternut Squash Carbonara with Coconut Bacon

Sometimes you just need a bowl of delicious and creamy pasta, and carbonara hits the spot. Usually, a dish that’s made with a load of cream and bacon, this vegan version is indulgently delicious. The coconut bacon gives it that salty flavour, and the crispy sage is a great addition.

Get the recipehere.

21. Tempeh BLT Wraps

Satiate your taste buds with this fresh take on the BLT! There’s fresh and juicy tomatoes, chopped avo, and then maple bacon tempeh chunks. Agave, dijon mustard and lemon finish it off. and his is basically the Godfather of BLTs.

Get the recipehere.

22. Vegan Bacon Cheeseburger

The whole title of this paragraph looks like some kind of crazy oxymoron, but the Sweetest Vegan has produced a recipe that’s super filling, hearty and delicious – as ‘meaty’ as the meaty version, but of course, and perhaps somewhat miraculously – all plant-based.

Want the recipe? Just click on the video, below!

More Ways To Enjoy Vegan Bacon

If those recipes weren’t enough to fulfil all of your vegan dreams, then luckily for you the vegan bacon goodness doesn’t end there. Here are a few of our favourite go-to vegan products that have perfected the plant-based bacon!

Vegan Bacon Bits

Not got the time or desire to make your own coconut bacon? Just buy it already made. Organic Matters have made these delicious packs that make it easy to sprinkle over all of your favourite dishes from salads and pasta, to sandwiches and even garnish dips with it.

Get yours here.

Vegetarian Bits Bac’uns

These little bacon bites are so great to throw on salads. They’re small but they pack an almighty bacon flavour, but they’re 100% vegan-friendly.

Get yourshere.

Vegan Maple-Bacon Jerky

Some people like jerky. I don’t know, apparently chewing on dry meat is fun. Well, this is 100% vegan-friendly jerky but with an authentic meaty taste. And the combo of sweet maple and salty bacon just works.

Get yours here.