Vegan Tofu Bacon

Meet the dreamiest vegan bacon of your dreams, made from paper thin slices of baked tofu and seasoned with all the umami and smokey flavors you expect from a great bacon without any of the cruelty and cholesterol. Make a protein packed BLT sandwich both your taste buds and your conscience feel good about eating.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword tofu bacon, vegan bacon, vegan bacon bits

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings people

Calories 182kcal

Author Florentina

Ingredients

14 oz block super firm or extra firm tofu (sliced thin with a mandoline)
4 Tbsp shoyu
3 Tbsp olive oil + extra as needed
2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
2 tsp nutritional yeast
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
2 tsp granulated onion powder
1 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1 pinch sea salt flakes

Instructions

Preheat oven to @400”F and prepare a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Pat dry the tofu block (DO NOT PRESS) and using a mandolin slice it thin on the tall and skinny side of the tofu and on the thinnest setting of the mandolin. You will get different size ribbons here that will bake beautifully with crisp edges and can be piled up high in a sandwich delivering both the crisp and chewiness we are after. (If you want perfect uniform slices you should use the second thinnest setting on the mandolin, the final texture will be more chewy overall bc of the thickness).
14 oz block super firm or extra firm tofu
In a shallow bowl mix together all the seasonings then coat the tofu in the mixture or marinade for later use. Do your best to get a nice coating all over and expect some tearing of the slices throughout because they are so thin.
4 Tbsp shoyu, 3 Tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp sweet smoked paprika, 2 tsp nutritional yeast, 1 Tbsp liquid smoke, 2 tsp granulated onion powder, 1 tsp granulated garlic, 1/2 tsp dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp maple syrup
Place the coated tofu on the baking sheet spreading it out as best you can but don’t worry about them overlapping and sticking to each other. They will shrink during baking and deliver beautiful texture. Finish with a light drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt flakes over the top (you will need to work in batches and use two baking sheets to fit all the tofu).
1 pinch sea salt flakes
Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and crisp to your liking. Keep an eye on it to make sure you don’t burn it unless that’s your intention. (Keep in my mind it’s going to continue to crisp up as it cools down).
Allow it cool for a few minutes while you start assembling your sandwich.
SERVE: make a lightly toasted brioche sandwich piled up high with the tofu bacon, juicy heirloom tomato, avocado, beautiful lettuce or tons of micro greens.

Video

Notes

Vegan Bacon Bits Variation - If you'd like to make bacon bits instead you can use the same recipe, all the seasoning but instead of slicing the tofu you want to crumble it into tiny pieces using a potato masher for best results. Coat well and roast until golden brown to your liking giving them a toss half way making sure not to let them burn since those bits are tiny.
Liquid Smoke - use a whole tablespoon for a deep smoky flavor profile, it's really the one flavoring that delivers for both the taste buds and your senses. By all means go wild and use even more of desired but DO NOT SKIP IT!

Nutrition