Tofu Bacon Bits (Vegan Bacon Crumbles)

Square cropped image of a Jar of bacon bits tipped on it's side with bacon crumbles falling out on a light wood board. Second small jar of bacon bits on the board to the back right. Lettuce blurred behind the jars, with a white-grey marble background.

Tofu Bacon Bits (Vegan Bacon Crumbles)

This recipe for tofu bacon bits is simple to make and creates deliciously crunchy, smoky and salty bacon crumbles. They’re perfect to use in Caesar salad, on tofu scramble, in wraps, on a baked potato; however you’d use “regular” bacon bits! Gluten and nut free.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Vegan

Keyword Tofu Bacon Bits, Vegan Bacon Bits

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings Servings

Calories 52kcal

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Baking tray
Silicone baking mat (or parchment paper)

Ingredients

175 grams extra firm tofu (½ of a standard 350g block)
3 tablespoons tamari , low sodium (or soy sauce)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ teaspoon smoked salt (or regular salt with a drop of liquid smoke) *
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Step 1: Crumble Tofu and Mix in Flavoring

If you typically press your tofu (and liquid comes out) it’s best to start with that. It’s not strictly necessary but the cook time will increase if there’s excess liquid in your tofu.
After pressing the tofu, crumble very small pieces from it into a mixing bowl. Make your tofu the size of small bacon crumbles as it’ll bake more evenly and become crunchier the smaller the pieces are.
175 grams extra firm tofu
Mix in the remaining ingredients.
3 tablespoons tamari, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ½ teaspoon smoked salt, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Stir until the tofu is evenly coated with everything.

Step 2: Bake and Serve

Prep a baking tray by covering it with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
Spread the tofu crumble into a thin, even layer across the baking tray.
Bake in an oven preheated to 350 °F for 45 minutes, tossing the bacon bits around every 15 minutes.
Once baked, the crumble should mostly feel crisp but will crisp more as it cools. The bacon bits should be a dark brown color and should have “shrunk” as water content of the tofu is now evaporated.
Allow the bacon bits to cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container.

Notes

Accuracy of nutrition information cannot be guaranteed (certain ingredients may not have all nutrients listed in the database); amounts may vary (and will vary depending on brands of ingredients used); all nutrition fact values rounded to the nearest whole number.

*I buy smoked salt at a local bulk food store. If you can’t find this ingredient, use ½ teaspoon regular salt with a small drop of liquid smoke.

Nutrition