This vegan bacon bits recipe uses nutritious hemp seeds quick-baked for the ultimate in smoky umami flavor anywhere you sprinkle them. You’ll only need 4 ingredients and 15 minutes to bake up these little gems.
They will honestly transform your 'everyday' salads and other dishes to heights of plant-based bacon indulgence. Pair these savory bites with oil-free air fryer croutons; every salad is a winner!
Having made mountains of vegan parmesan cheese using hemp seeds over the years, how did I not realize they make amazingly flavorful bacon bits? They do, they really do!
When it comes to making vegan bacon strips, tofu bacon rules (at our house). And we certainly love our coconut bacon. But there is honestly something magical about the taste and chewy crunch of homemade bacon bits made with hemp seeds.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
With my top secret ingredient, ok, it's miso paste, you'll discover a depth of flavor that you can't get from just liquid smoke.
Hemp seeds are nutritional kryptonite. They have loads of protein and contain all 9 of the essential amino acids, plus high levels of omega-3 and omega-6.
Bacon bits keep for weeks in the fridge, making them the ultimate salad incentive. And a little goes a long way so you'll still have leftovers for vegan twice-baked potatoes too!
Key Ingredients
Hemp seeds. For the best result, use shelled (hulled) hemp seeds, also known as hemp hearts. They are softer and will absorb the bacon flavors. Most hemp seeds you’ll find in the store are hulled.
Miso paste. Miso paste is our secret umami flavor bomb. I use Shiro (white) miso because it has a mellow flavor. You can find a lot of miso options, including soy-free. All will work, but adjust if you use a stronger flavored miso paste.
Liquid smoke. Most liquid smoke brands are vegan. You can also find brands that are specifically gluten-free as well.
Tamari or soy sauce. I like the flavor of gluten-free tamari because it has a robust deep flavor. You can use soy sauce, dark soy sauce, or coconut aminos.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Recipe Variations
You can experiment with this exact recipe using textured vegetable protein or, for soy protein, soy mince, or diced soy curls in place of the hemp seeds.
In terms of flavor, try sweetening the mix with maple syrup or spice it up with sriracha or hot sauce. Substitute half the regular soy sauce for vegan Worcestershire sauce if you have a brand you like.
Add a pinch of garlic powder. Consider a teaspoon of nutritional yeast or mustard powder for a cheesy flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 F and spread the hemp seeds in a baking dish.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the miso paste, liquid smoke, and soy sauce.
Step 3: Mix well and spread the hemp seeds evenly.
Step 4: Bake for 15 minutes. Toss the hemp seeds a few times as they bake.
Pro Tips
- Use a big enough baking dish or baking sheet so that you can spread out the hemp seeds in a thin layer. They will cook more evenly if they are not clumped up.
- The hemp seeds will dry out and harden as they cool to room temperature. Oven heats can impact cooking times, so be sure to keep a careful eye the first time you make these. You’ll be a pro in no time!
Serving Suggestions
The extra crunch of hemp seed bacon bits adds excitement to the top of salads. But don't stop with salads. Try mixing them in your next tofu scramble, added to avocado toast, or sprinkled over vegan potato soup or other creamy soups.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best substitute for hemp seeds is flax seeds. Chia seeds can also be used, although they have a hard shell. For this reason, they are less likely to absorb flavor. You can also use sunflower seeds in a pinch.
Hemp seed bacon bits will last in the fridge for at least a month; however, you can freeze them if you like. Place them in an air-tight container or sealed freezer bag in small quantities. Break them up a bit as they begin to thaw. If you want to dry them out quicker, place them on a baking sheet and bake them for a few minutes.
Bacon bits are best stored in the refrigerator and will last for over a month, although I challenge you to keep them around that long.
Recipe Inspiration for Bacon Bits
Do you have a question, or recipe request, or need a cooking tip? Leave a comment below or contact Denise. I’m here to help! If you would like more healthy vegan recipes, please subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on Facebook or Pinterest for the latest updates.
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👩🏻🍳 Recipe
Easy Vegan Bacon Bits
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Ingredients
- ⅔ cup hemp seeds
- 2 teaspoons miso paste
- 3 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons Tamari - or soy sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C)
- Mix liquid ingredients. Combine the miso paste, liquid smoke, and tamari in a small dish or bowl.
- Prepare for baking. Place the hemp seeds in a small glass baking dish. If you use a baking sheet, consider lining the bottom with parchment paper first to prevent the ingredients from sticking. Add the wet ingredients, mixing them into the hemp seeds until they are well-covered.
- Bake. Bake the bacon bits for 15 minutes. Stir them after 5 minutes of baking and again at 10 minutes. Be careful that they don’t burn. Although they will dry out as they cool, you may want to bake them a few more minutes if they see too moist after 15 minutes.
- Serve and store. Transfer the bacon bits to a bowl or jar. Store them in an air-tight container or jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Notes
- Oven temperatures vary, so be sure to keep a watchful eye the first time you make this recipe. Stir the hemp seeds a few times. The bacon bits will dry out and get crunchier after baking.
- Hulled hemp seeds or hemp seed hearts are best for this recipe. If you need a substitute, consider flax seeds. Chia seeds might be a bit hard. You can also use sunflower seeds.
- Want to ramp up the flavor a little? Use coconut aminos to replace some or all of the tamari. Add a teaspoon (or more) of sriracha for spicy bacon bits or maple syrup to add maple undertones.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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