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    Home » Side Dishes

    Simple Carrot Bacon Recipe

    Published: Feb 21, 2023 by Marni Katz · This post may contain affiliate links

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    “This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.”

    Carrot Bacon? Hard to believe that you can use a vegetable as a substitute for real bacon, but this healthier alternative will surprise you! Crispy, smoky, vegan and kosher friendly, you'll find yourself making this recipe time and time again.

    carrot bacon on a cooling rack

    Now bacon is for everyone 😉

    Bacon is one of those food items that makes everyone happy. I've never actually eaten real deal bacon (it's not kosher), but the smell of bacon sizzling in the morning still makes me smile. This plant based bacon is an awesome alternative for those who keep kosher, those who choose a vegetarian or vegan diet or anyone looking for a healthier alternative once in a while.

    Inspired by vegan cook Tabitha Brown, whose carrot bacon recipe went viral on Tik Tok a few years ago, this recipe is a breeze to make! Even without an air fryer, it's a great way to achieve a crispy carrot bacon that's an awesome substitute for the real thing.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for carrot bacon
    • Carrots: Use large carrots in this recipe so that you can make larger pieces of the vegan bacon
    • Spices: I chose this spice combination based on my inspiration recipe, but you can use any combination of spices that give you that traditional bacon flavor.
    • Liquid smoke: You can make carrot bacon without liquid smoke, however, I love the smoky flavor it gives to this recipe without using a smoker.
    • Sweetener: I like honey, but maple syrup works as a great substitute as well.

    How to make carrot bacon

    There are three main steps in making carrot bacon.

    1. Slice the carrots 2. Marinate the carrots 3. Cook the carrots. Easy, right!

    Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Peel the carrots and cut off the very ends. Then slice the carrots into very thin strips. You can do this with either a vegetable peeler or a mandoline. Watch your finger tips carefully in this step.

    strips of carrots on parchment paper

    Then, mix up your marinade in a container with a flat bottom. A 9x9 glass baking dish or small casserole dish both work great. Add all the ingredients into the dish and stir them together well.

    spices, soy sauce and liquid smoke in a small casserole dish with pastry brush

    Place the carrots in the marinade and let sit for 2-3 minutes, using a pastry brush, if needed, to make sure both sides of the carrots are fully coated.

    carrots soaking in a marinade

    Now transfer the marinated carrot ribbons to the parchment lined baking sheet and bake them in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. You want the carrots to get dried out and get crispy on the edges, but not burn.

    carrots on a baking tray with parchment paper

    Once crispy and cooked through, take them out and let cool for a few minutes on a cooling rack. They will continue to crisp up as they cool.

    carrot bacon on a baking sheet just out of the oven

    FAQ's

    Can I make carrot bacon in the air fryer?

    Yes, absolutely. Making air fryer carrot bacon is a sure way to ensure the crispy texture on each and every piece. Here's how you do it. Follow the recipe through until right before you put the marinated carrots into the oven. Then turn your air fryer to 350 degrees. Place carrot strips into the air fryer basket. Air fry them for 10 minutes adding an extra minute if you want them to be extra crispy.

    How do you make carrot bacon on the stovetop?

    Yes and it's super easy. To a large skillet over medium-high heat add a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the marinated carrot strips to the pan and let cook until brown on crispy on the first side. Turn the heat down to medium, flip the carrot bacon over and let finish cooking the second side. Take out and let cool on a cooling rack.

    How do you make this recipe vegan?

    There is just one simple substitution you need to make to make this into a vegan carrot bacon recipe. Simply swap the honey for maple syrup (which sounds like a delicious swap to be) and carry on with the recipe as written. Alternatively you could use a vegan honey, but I've not tried that substitute myself.

    What carrots works best for this recipe

    You'll want to look for large carrots for this recipe. Baby carrots are too little to cut into long strips. Since you want to imitate regular bacon the larger carrots will give you longer strips to work with. Additionally, the larger carrots cook more evenly.

    To mix things up though you can use any color carrot you like. Try a bag of rainbow carrots or mix orange and purple carrots for a fun Halloween treat. It's the perfect way to introduce new vegetables into your home without a fight!

    carrot bacon tops in a jar

    How to serve carrot bacon

    • As a snack: Straight out of the oven or the pan, this delicious carrot bacon recipe is perfect for a healthy snack. I like to serve this afterschool to my kiddos on a fun snack tray. Along with some cheese, apple slices, and crackers, it's a great spin on the sometimes boring carrot and hummus after school snack.
    • On a sandwich: Here's your chance to enjoy a Vegan BLT. Grab your favorite sandwich bread, pile on a ripe tomato, some crunchy iceberg lettuce, and some long strips of crispy carrot bacon. You could also add it to a classic egg salad sandwich for a bit of extra crunch.
    • For breakfast or brunch: I love the idea of serving carrot bacon alongside Egg in a Hole Bagels for a crowd or with a big old stack of pancakes. Bacon and eggs are a classic combination and swapping carrot bacon is an easy way to elevate brunch. It would also make a delicious topping on hearty piece of avocado toast.

    Storing Leftovers

    While you can store any leftovers for a few days in the fridge in an airtight container, I don't suggest it. You'll see after the first time you make this recipe. The crispy carrots just beg to be eaten and since it's just a few carrots, you'll have no problem finishing them up.

    If you do choose to store the leftovers, be sure to rewarm them in the oven so that they have a chance to crisp up again. Otherwise, you'll just be left with soggy, floppy (yet delicious) carrots.

    cripsy carrot bacon

    One more quick tip

    I love using my mandolin to make quick work of slicing carrots for this recipe. You are looking for paper-thin ribbons of carrot and it's not always so easy to achieve with a knife. That said, you want to be super careful running the carrots over the mandolin. For the best results in getting the carrots cut thinly, wear a cutting glove so you don't have to fear for your fingers while you slice the carrots super thin.

    Did you try this recipe and and love it? 😍 Let me know by leaving a comment below or 5 ⭐ rating!

    And make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more simple recipes! Remember to tag us on social channels when you make a recipe at #simplegraytshirt! I 💖 seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!

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    📖 Recipe

    strips of carrot bacon on parchment paper on a cooling rack

    Simple Carrot Bacon Recipe

    Marni Katz
    Crispy, smoky, vegan and kosher friendly it's hard to believe that this carrot bacon recipe is a substitute for real bacon!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Appetizer, Snacks
    Cuisine Vegetarian
    Servings 2
    Calories 84 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 Large Carrots
    • 2 tablespoon Liquid Smoke
    • 2 tablespoon Maple Syrup (or honey)
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Peel the carrots and then slice super thin on a mandoline or with a vegetable peeler.
    • Mix all ingredients for the marinade. Place the strips of carrot into the marinade mix and soak the carrot slices in the marinade for two minutes.
    • Lay the carrot strips out on a the prepared baking sheet and arrange them so they aren't crowded when the cook.
    • Bake for about 15 minutes, flipping once to ensure even browning. Start checking on them around 10 minutes and watch carefully to prevent burning.

    Notes

    Look for large carrots for this recipe.  You want to imitate the shape of regular bacon and the larger carrots will give you longer strips to work with. Additionally, the larger carrots cook more evenly.
    A mandoline will make quick work of slicing carrots for this recipe. You are looking for paper-thin ribbons of carrot and it's not always so easy to achieve with a knife. That said, you want to be super careful running the carrots over the mandolin. For the best results in getting the carrots cut thinly, wear a cutting glove so you don't have to fear for your fingers while you slice the carrots super thin.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 84kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 78mgPotassium: 260mgFiber: 2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 10314IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 0.3mg
    Keyword carrots, roasted vegetable
    Tried this recipe?Let me know what you think!

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    About Marni Katz

    Marni Katz is the recipe developer, photographer and writer behind Simple Gray T-Shirt. She wants to help people keep things simple in the kitchen. With simple recipes, easy menu ideas and plenty of tips and tricks along the way, she wants getting a meal on the table to be as simple as putting on your favorite gray tee!
    "I want to inspire you to get back in the kitchen and do this, because you can!"

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