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This vegan eggplant bacon recipe takes all the flavor and crispiness of bacon and packs it into thinly sliced eggplant. It’s perfect for a meat-free breakfast spread, BLTs, or just whenever you’re craving bacon. With dozens of five-star reviews, it’s sure to disappear fast!
save this recipe!Your New Breakfast BFF
Eggplant is like a flavor sponge, soaking up all the smoky, savory deliciousness we throw at it. All you have to do is slice and brush it with a simple marinade to make crispy, crunchy vegan bacon!
Cook it in an air fryer or oven, and you’ll have an eggplant bacon alternative that’s ready in less than 30 minutes! It’s great for a vegan wedge salad or just snacking straight from the pan (we don’t judge).
Reader rating
“Super mega LOVED it!!!! The kiddos and I tried it this morning for our “bacon” avo toast and it turned out spectacular!!! Easy to make, delicious to taste! Can’t wait to do it again!!” —Brittany
Key Ingredients
Unlike many vegan bacon recipes, this eggplant bacon is made without liquid smoke. Instead, we rely on just a few pantry staples. Jump to the recipe card for all measurements!
- Eggplant: Most types of eggplant work well here, but we’re going with the classic Italian eggplant, which is easiest to find in western supermarkets.
- Soy Sauce: This adds a salty/savory component (sub tamari or liquid aminos for a gluten-free option).
- Maple Syrup: A drizzle of sweetness from pure maple syrup transforms the flavor depth of this eggplant bacon!
- Worcestershire Sauce: Be sure to use plant-based Worcestershire sauce, as the traditional stuff contains anchovies.
Sarah’s Tips
- Go thin or go home: Thicker slices will stay chewy; ⅛-inch is the sweet spot.
- Don’t crowd the tray: Airflow = crisp. Work in batches if needed.
- Customize the flavor: Add chili flakes for heat or a dash of liquid smoke for even more bacon flavor.
Plays Well With
This vegan bacon is nutritionist-approved, reader-tested, and utterly snack-worthy. Try layering it on a Buffalo Chickpea Wrap or crumbling it over Vegetarian Caesar Salad for next-level flavor. Or go classic and enjoy it on Vegan Breakfast Tacos or with Eggless French Toast!
Crispy Eggplant Bacon (Air Fry or Oven)
Ingredients
- ½ eggplant
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 15 mL, or tamari for GF option
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, 15 mL
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup, 15 mL
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin
- 1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat oven or air fryer to 250°F (121°C). Cut eggplant into quarters lengthwise, then thinly slice into long strips resembling bacon (about ⅛ inch thick—a mandolin slicer makes this easier).
- Flavor: In a small bowl, stir to combine all remaining ingredients. Liberally brush onto both sides of eggplant slices.
- If air frying, place bacon in a single layer in your air fryer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until dry and browned. If baking, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until dry and browned (flip each bacon slice halfway through bacon for even cooking).
- Cool: Allow eggplant bacon to cool slightly. It will continue to crisp up as it cooks!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
That looks like real bacon. I need to try it.
Yes you do! 😀
Sarah, what about liquid smoke to flavour the eggplant? What are your thoughts?
That’d be delish! Just use it in moderation 😀
Super mega LOVED it!!!! The kiddos and I tried it this morning for our “bacon” avo toast and it turned out spectacular!!! Easy to make, delicious to taste! Can’t wait to do it again!! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
So happy to hear it, Brittany! Enjoy! 😀
The mixture tastes like bacon, but the finished product did not.
So glad I found your website, I just bought my Phillips XXL Airfryer and I cant wait to try this recipe.
If cut thin enough it will have the texture and crispiness of bacon. But in my opinion it takes a very strong imagination to think it tastes anything like bacon. I would eliminate some if not all of the salt as the soy sauce contains alot of sodium.
The flavor was tasty, although, to me, the flavor was not like bacon. I cooked it an hour because it did not crisp up, even then. Why do you think that this happened? I used all the sauce. Was that too much?
Hi Joyce! Did you make this in the air fryer or oven?
omg this recipe is SO GOOD!
YAY! I’m so happy to hear it, Jenn! 😀
I cooked some in air fryer and some in the oven. Both acceptable. I think I prefer the oven. Very tasty.
My husband was surprised that I made eggplant bacon, the eggplant is from my first time garden. It taste great. I had bought some from Kroger, and couldn’t find it anywhere, afterwards.