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–+ servings
A plate of cooked, seasoned eggplant slices with a fork resting on top, set on a green tablecloth.
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4.66 from 23 ratings

Crispy Eggplant Bacon (Air Fry or Oven)

This vegan eggplant bacon recipe is ultra-crispy, crunchy, and smoky. And with dozens of 5-star reviews, it's sure to disappear fast!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Breakfasts, Side Dishes
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Halal, Low Calorie, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: eggplant bacon, vegan bacon, vegetarian bacon
Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Low Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian
Occasion: 4th of July, Birthdays, Game Day
Time: 30 minutes or less, 45 minutes or less
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Sarah Bond

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).
    A mandoline slicer with a partially sliced eggplant beside a plate of thinly sliced eggplant on a green surface.
  • Flavor: In a small bowl, stir to combine all remaining ingredients. Liberally brush onto both sides of eggplant slices.
    Sliced eggplant coated with seasoning on a baking tray next to a bowl of marinade and a basting brush on a light green surface.
  • 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).
    A baking tray with evenly spaced, thin slices of roasted eggplant seasoned with spices on parchment paper.
  • Cool: Allow eggplant bacon to cool slightly. It will continue to crisp up as it cooks!
    A plate of thin, crispy, oven-baked eggplant slices with a fork rests on a green tablecloth.

Video

Notes

Fridge: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days; re-crisp in the air fryer for 2 minutes.
Freezer: Freeze flat between parchment sheets. Reheat straight from frozen.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 80kcal | Carbohydrates: 8.9g | Protein: 1.7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 748mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 4.3g | Sugar: 4.7g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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