Name: How To Make Vegan Bacon Bits (In 1 Minute!)
Prep time: 1 min
Total time: 1 min
Ingredients: 1 cup textured vegetable protein (TVP) granules (I used Bob's Red Mill brand for this recipe, 100g); 2 Tbsp water (30 mL); 2 Tbsp maple syrup (30 mL); 1 Tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp liquid smoke (5 mL)

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Looking to jazz up your salads and baked potatoes? These crunchy vegan bacon bits are just the thing! they’re made with protein-packed textured vegetable protein (TVP) and a sweet, smoky marinade. Bonus: they come together in ONE minute.

Vegan bacon bits in a glass jar on a white background

Bringin’ Home the Bacon

Vegan bacon bits? Sounds like a bit of an oxymoron that couldn’t possibly taste normal. Well, what if I told you these taste so much like bacon that even my meat-eating friends thought they were bacon bits?

Yep, these smoky, crunchy bites are made with textured vegetable protein (TVP)—a soy-based, low-fat powerhouse that can be stored at room temperature and is ridiculously easy to whip up for all the vegetarian/vegan folks!

So, in short, these little guys are quick to make (literally a minute) and bring all that bacon-y flavor you crave—minus the meat. Need I say more? Let’s get cooking!

Here’s What You’ll Need

All you need are a few pantry staples to make some flavor magic happen. Jump to the recipe card for exact measurements—this is only an overview!

TVP: You can’t have bacon bits without TVP! It’s high in protein, fat-free, and perfect for mimicking the texture of bacon bits. You’ll usually find it in natural food stores (like Whole Foods), but you can also find it online (for reference, I used Bob’s Red Mill brand for this recipe).
Maple syrup: We’ll add a touch of maple syrup to balance the saltiness and smoke, giving you that familiar bacon-y flavor profile.
Liquid Smoke: This magical little ingredient captures the flavor of hardwood smoke (because it’s literally condensed smoke), giving our vegan bacon bits an authentic smoky taste—without any of the hard work.
Spices: To nail that classic bacon flavor, we’re going for a mix of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. The paprika gives it a rich, smoky depth, while the other spices add savory layers.

TVP Storage Tip

TVP is made from defatted soy flour (a byproduct of soybean oil production), which makes it completely fat-free. It’s also shelf-stable, so you can store it at room temperature until you’re ready to use it!

They’re Ready in 1 Minute

These are so simple to throw together and way less messy than traditional bacon—just mix the ingredients! (Jump to the recipe card for the full printable instructions.)

Step 1: Stir To Combine
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.

Oil and spices in glass bowl — Feel free to tweak the seasoning! Add more smoked paprika for a bolder smoky flavor, or a touch more maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.

Whisking bacon bits in a glass bowl — Make sure all your TVP pieces are thoroughly coated in the marinade to help every last bit get that delicious smoky flavor.

Step 2: Serve On Dishes
Serve anywhere you want smoky bacon flavor, like baked potatoes, salads, or soups!

Recipe Tips

Crisp Them Up: To make extra crispy vegan bacon bits, spread them out evenly on a baking tray and bake for a few minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Just be careful not to burn them (they cook quickly!).

Cool Completely: Let the bits cool fully on the baking tray before transferring them to a container. This helps maintain that crunch factor.

Season to Your Taste: Don’t be afraid to play with the spice blend! Add a pinch of cayenne for heat or a little brown sugar for a sweeter finish.

How to Use These

You can really use these vegan bacon bits on anything and everything. But if you’re looking for specific ways to use them, try one of these recipes!

Vegetarian Wedge Salad: Easy to make and even better topped with vegan bacon bits!
Slow Cooker Potato Soup: A classic served with vegan bacon bits!
Microwaved Baked Potatoes: Delish loaded up with vegan bacon bits!

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How To Make Vegan Bacon Bits (In 1 Minute!)

5 from 1 rating

By: Sarah Bond

Prep: 1

Total: 1

Servings: servings

Looking to jazz up your salads and baked potatoes? These crunchy vegan bacon bits are just the thing! they’re made with protein-packed textured vegetable protein (TVP) and a sweet, smoky marinade. Bonus: they come together in ONE minute.

Ingredients

▢ 1 cup textured vegetable protein (TVP) granules, I used Bob's Red Mill brand for this recipe, 100g
▢ 2 Tbsp water, 30 mL
▢ 2 Tbsp maple syrup, 30 mL
▢ 1 Tbsp smoked paprika
▢ 1 tsp salt
▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
▢ 1 tsp onion powder
▢ 1 tsp liquid smoke, 5 mL

Instructions

Stir: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.
Serve: Serve anywhere you want smoky bacon flavor, like baked potatoes, salads, or soups!

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month.

Are bacon bits vegetarian? Surprisingly, the answer is sometimes. Despite the name, some store-bought bacon bits are actually made from soy rather than actual bacon. While they might not be made with TVP like these vegan bacon bits, they’re still soy-based.

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!

5 from 1 vote

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