Smoky, salty, and convincingly meaty, this recipe for Vegan Bacon strips as well as vegan bacon bits is sure to win you over. Best of all, it takes just 20 minutes to make this version of everyone's favorite breakfast meat!
2cupssoy curlschoose the longer strips of the soy curls for bacon strips, smaller pieces for bacon bits
Instructions
Add all ingredients (except soy curls) to a small pot/saucepan and bring to boil. Turn off burner and remove from heat.
Add soy curls to the pot and let sit for 10 minutes to rehydrate. If the liquid does not cover all the soy curls add enough water to cover them.
Stovetop
Add soy curls along with the liquid to a cast iron pan (or pan of choice) and cook on medium heat for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until all the liquid is absorbed and the soy curls are a tiny bit crispy on the outside. For bacon bits, cooking time will be a little less. Cook until the liquid is absorbed and they're crispy to your liking.
Air Fryer (this cooking method makes the soy curls a little less intense in flavor)
Wring out the liquid from the soy curls (see notes). Air fry at 370 degrees for 4 minutes. Shake the basket and then air fry for another 2-4 minutes until crispy to your liking. For bacon bits, shake the basket every 2 minutes. Bacon bits will be done faster than the bacon strips.
Notes
Paprika: If you don't have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika and ½ teaspoon of liquid smoke. You can skip the liquid smoke if you don't have it but it does make the bacon extra tasty.Draining the soy curls: I usually use my hands to wring them over a colander to really get all the water out but you can also press down on them in the strainer with a potato masher.