This vegan bacon bits recipe is perfect for those who crave the smoky, savory flavor of bacon but follow a plant-based diet. They are made from simple, wholesome ingredients like buckwheat seeds and olive oil and are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make in just 15 minutes. They are the perfect addition to any dish, adding a burst of flavor and a satisfying crunch.
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Learning how to make vegan dishes that taste like classic non-vegan ones is something everyone following a plant-based diet should know. Some other recipes I highly recommend you try include my TVP recipes, vegan breakfast hash, and vegan chili recipe.
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❤️ Why you’ll love it
I love this vegan bacon bits recipe for its smoky, salty, and crispy qualities that mimic the taste and texture of real bacon. The secret lies in the unique combination of buckwheat seeds and a blend of flavorful seasonings. The buckwheat seeds, when cooked and fried until crispy, provide a satisfying crunch that is reminiscent of traditional bacon bits.
The simple spices and seasonings in this recipe come together to create a smoky and salty flavor profile that is incredibly similar to real bacon. Plus, molasses, liquid smoke, and gluten-free vegan Worcestershire sauce further enhance the smokiness and add a touch of sweetness, making them a perfect topping for salads, soups, and more.
The best part is that this recipe uses buckwheat seeds as the base, and it is a highly nutritious grain that is not only gluten-free but also rich in fiber and protein. It is an excellent source of energy and provides a satisfying crunch when cooked and fried, making it an ideal base for these vegan bits.
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🧾 Key ingredients
Making these vegan bacon bits is incredibly simple, thanks to the easily accessible ingredients. Most of these can be found at your local grocery store, or you might already have them in your pantry!
Buckwheat seeds are the star of this recipe. These humble seeds transform into crispy, smoky vegan bacon bits. They are a fantastic allergy-friendly alternative to traditional bacon. They’re also known as whole-grain buckwheat or buckwheat groats.
Sweet smoked paprika powder and cayenne pepper are the key spices in the bacon seasoning. They provide a smoky and spicy kick to them, creating a flavor that is reminiscent of traditional bacon.
Molasses, liquid smoke, and vegan Worcestershire sauce are the wet ingredients in the bacon seasoning. These ingredients add a sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor, making them even more delicious.
🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
🥘 Equipment
The most crucial piece of equipment for making vegan bacon bits is a good quality skillet like this one or non-stick frying pan. The skillet is instrumental in achieving the perfect crispiness and browning of the buckwheat seeds, which is key to replicating the texture of bacon bits. The even heat distribution of a skillet guarantees that the buckwheat seeds are cooked uniformly, allowing the flavors of the seasonings to be absorbed thoroughly.
👩🍳 Instructions
Preparing the ingredients
Pre-cook buckwheat just like you would cook pasta. Boil water in a kettle or in a stockpot. Add hulled, raw buckwheat seeds and cook them in the water until soft. It will take approximately 10 minutes. If you can crush the seeds with your fingers, they are ready. Drain water.
Making the vegan bacon bits
STEP 1
Preheat a skillet or a non-stick frying pan and add olive oil to it. Add the cooked buckwheat to the pan and stir it in the olive oil.
STEP 2
After stirring, add the dry seasonings. This includes smoked sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and salt. Mix these ingredients well with the buckwheat. If you find the mixture too dry, feel free to add a bit more olive oil.
STEP 3
Now, add the wet seasonings. These include molasses, gluten-free vegan Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Mix these ingredients well with the buckwheat and the dry seasonings.
STEP 4
Finally, stir and fry the mixture for 2-3 minutes until the buckwheat becomes crispy and brown. Your vegan bacon bits are ready.
💡 Expert tip
When preparing vegan bacon bits, it is crucial to properly cook the buckwheat seeds just like pasta. Boiling them in salted water until soft guarantees that you get the right texture and flavor. If you can easily crush the seeds with your fingers, they are ready. This step is vital in achieving the crispy and brown finish that makes these vegan bacon bits a delicious addition to any dish.
🔄 Variations
Spice things up with chipotle powder. If you enjoy a smoky flavor with a bit of heat, consider replacing the sweet smoked paprika powder with chipotle powder in your recipe. This will give your dish a spicy kick and a deeper smoky flavor, perfect for those who enjoy bold flavors.
Experiment with maple syrup, vegan honey or with other honey substitutes. For a sweeter take on these vegan bacon bits, try substituting the molasses with maple syrup. This will add a touch of sweetness to your bacon bits, providing a delicious contrast to the savory and smoky flavors.
Add a touch of umami with soy sauce. If you’re craving a deeper, more savory flavor, consider adding a splash of soy sauce to them. This will enhance the savory notes in your dish, making it even more satisfying and flavorful. Remember to reduce the amount of salt if you decide to add soy sauce, as it is quite salty on its own.
🥣 Serving ideas
These vegan bacon bits are versatile, just like traditional bacon bits, and can be used in a variety of different dishes.
Consider using them as a topping to your favorite creamy soups. Vegan corn chowder (pictured below), vegan cauliflower soup, vegan sweet potato soup, roasted broccoli sweet potato soup, and Hokkaido pumpkin cream soup are all great options. It will add a smoky, savory crunch that elevates the flavor profile of your soup.
They also go great in pasta dishes. Simply sprinkle them on your vegan mac and cheese, vegan cashew alfredo, or caramelized carrot pasta sauce. They add a satisfying crunch and a burst of flavor that will make your pasta dishes even more delicious.
You can also use them for your favorite veggie bowl, like a vegan burrito bowl or casserole, like a vegan Mexican rice casserole or vegan breakfast casserole. Or try adding it to burritos, wraps, sandwiches, and tacos like this Chipotle veggie burrito or this vegan Philly cheesesteak.
❄️ Storing tips
Storing and reheating your vegan bacon bits is easy and does not sacrifice the smoky, crispy flavor. In fact, the buckwheat-based bacon alternative tends to develop a deeper flavor when stored in the fridge.
To store the leftovers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them into an airtight container. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days, retaining their unique smoky flavor and crispy texture.
Unfortunately, due to the nature of cooked buckwheat, freezing is not recommended. The texture of the buckwheat can become mushy and lose its crispiness when thawed.
When you are ready to reheat your vegan bacon bits, simply spread them out on a baking sheet and bake at a low temperature (around 300°F) for 5-10 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy again. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently to guarantee even heating.
🤔 FAQs
Yes, they have a smoky and savory flavor, mimicking the taste of traditional bacon.
Maple syrup or coconut sugar can be used as an alternative to molasses. Both of these substitutes offer a caramelized taste, which adds a unique and lovely flavor to the vegan bacon bits recipe.
Cooking buckwheat for this recipe is quite simple. It is similar to cooking pasta. You need to boil water in a kettle or a stockpot, add hulled, raw buckwheat seeds and cook them in salted water until they become soft. This process takes approximately 10 minutes. When you can easily crush the seeds with your fingers, they are ready. After that, you drain the water.
The best way to fry the buckwheat is to preheat a skillet or a non-stick frying pan and add olive oil. Then, add the cooked buckwheat and stir. Next, add the dry seasoning and mix well. If it is too dry, you can add a bit more olive oil. Then, add the wet seasoning and mix well again. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the buckwheat is crispy and brown.
Yes, these Vegan Bacon Bits are very versatile and can be used with a variety of dishes. They are ideal to add to soups, pasta, salads, or sandwiches to enhance the flavor and add a crispy texture.
More recipes for vegan meat alternatives
We have recipes that use oyster mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, TVP, walnut cauliflower mince, jackfruit, tofu, and other ingredients for a meaty vegan meal.
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Vegan Bacon Bits (Nut-free, Soy-free, Gluten-free)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Buckwheat seeds “seeds”, “groats”, “grains” are the same
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
Bacon seasoning dry ingredients
- ½ tsp Sweet smoked paprika powder
- ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp Onion powder
- ¼ tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Oregano
- ¼ tsp Ground cumin seeds
- ½ tsp Salt
Bacon seasoning wet ingredients
- ½ tsp Molasses
- ¼ tsp Liquid smoke
- ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce -> list of gluten-free vegan brands
Instructions
- Pre-cook buckwheat just like you would cook pasta. Boil water in a kettle or in a stockpot. Add hulled, raw buckwheat seeds and cook them in salted water until soft. It will take approx. 10 minutes. If you can crush the seeds with your fingers, they are ready. Drain water.
- Pre-heat skillet or non-stick frying pan and add olive oil.
- Add cooked buckwheat and stir.
- Add dry seasoning (smoked sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt) and mix well. If it’s too dry, add a bit more olive oil.
- Add wet seasoning (molasses, gluten-free vegan Worchestershire sauce, liquid smoke) and mix well again.
- Stir and fry for 2-3 minutes until the buckwheat is crispy and brown. Done! You can use it with your favorite dishes.
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