How to Make Coconut Bacon
Make your own baked coconut bacon at home! It's super easy and totally irresistible. This coconut bacon recipe is gluten free and vegan.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on September 5, 2024
My dear, sweet, coconut bacon skeptics, hear me out. This vegan “bacon” is amazing! It’s crispy, sweet, salty and tastes just like the real deal, so don’t knock it until you try it! I could go on about it, but I think Cookie’s coconut bacon desperation says it all.
Granted, my dog loves kale and ate half a pack of gum when I was at yoga last week, but I’ve honestly never seen her work so hard for crumbs that aren’t meat. (And look at those irresistible fuzzy ears! She kills me.)
I shared coconut bacon last year with my heirloom BLT salad recipe, but this stuff is so good that I decided it needed its own post. You can use it as an accent in any recipe that calls for crumbled bacon—salads, BLTs, you name it.
It’s incredibly easy to make (it’ll take you 15 minutes, max). You can freeze the extra for later, although it’s hard not to eat all of this bacon as it comes out the oven. I dare you to try it!
How to Make Coconut Bacon
Fake bacon that tastes like the real thing. Use it in salads, BLTs, or anywhere else that you would add bacon. This coconut bacon is vegan and gluten free, as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce (like tamari). Recipe yields 3 cups coconut bacon.
Ingredients
- 3 cups large, unsweetened coconut flakes (not regular shredded coconut!)
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari (or other soy sauce)
- 2 ½ tablespoons liquid smoke (any flavor, choose your favorite)
- 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper (optional).
- Measure the coconut flakes out onto the baking sheet. Drizzle the coconut flakes with tamari, liquid smoke and maple syrup. Mix well. Spread the flakes into an even layer on the parchment paper.
- Bake on the middle rack for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping halfway, until flakes are mostly dry and turning golden on the edges. (Keep an eye on the coconut as it can go from golden brown to deep burnt brown fairly quickly. For softer bacon, you’ll probably only need to bake for 12 minutes. For crispy bacon, aim for 14.) The coconut flakes will further crisp up as they cool.
- Let the coconut bacon cool, then use it immediately or transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Coconut bacon keeps well in the freezer for several months. No need to defrost!
Notes
Recipe originally seen on my heirloom BLT salad (looove that salad!).
Make it gluten free: This dish is gluten free as long as you use gluten-free tamari, which is a variety of soy sauce that is usually (but not always, check the label) gluten free. I always use tamari instead of soy sauce because I prefer the flavor of it!
Where to buy: Look for coconut flakes in the baking aisle or health food section at well-stocked grocery stores. Look for tamari next to the soy sauce in the Asian ingredients aisle. Look for liquid smoke near the barbecue sauce.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
What an interesting combo! Never even heard of coconut bacon. Looks like a perfect topping for a salad. and your dog is cute :)
I liked the recipe, but it lacked two of the main qualities of real bacon: salt and fat. So! I added oil after the cooking, along with a bit more tamari and smoke, plus salt. Now it’s a lot closer to the real deal without the suffering of an innocent animal. Yum!
Good ideas! Thanks, po.
Well you’ve got me absolutely intrigued. How can I not try this? Next trip to the grocery store I will be seeking large coconut flakes. (Hard to find?)
Hey Maryea! They’re pretty readily available these days. I got mine at Whole Foods in the baking aisle. I’ve also found them at well-stocked grocery stores. Good luck!
I am so intrigued! I need to try this out ASAP!
Never heard of coconut bacon, but I can’t wait to make some and not share with anyone!
I’ve always been anti coconut bacon, because really, you just can’t beat the real thing! I was a baco-vegetarian for a long time… I think you can deduce what that means :) but you may have convinced me it may be worth the try! Also, you should definitely include more pictures of Cookie in your posts. She is so cute!
Honestly, I’m anti meat substitutes *except* for coconut bacon! It’s really good! I used to be a baco-vegetarian but I gave it up after Cookie’s accident this year. More Cookie pics, coming up!
You are so clever! I especially think my coconut crazed daughter who recently decided to stop eating pork will be especially happy with this!
Thanks, Liren! I think she’ll love it!
Bacon is a huge problem of mine, so I love seeing this idea. Never knew! So cool.
It’s going to be interesting to see if our cats are as eager to eat the coconut bacon…:) it sure looks delicious and Cookie is sooooo cute! Great shots (big of the bacon and the dog…:)
Well I have all the ingredients in my pantry just waiting to be transformed… I will have to try this!
PS. Cookie is such a sweetie, I love that little face
Thanks, Emma! I hope you’re enjoying the coconut bacon!
I feel like my lunch time salad will be sorely missing this coconut bacon, I will have to try to make some at the weekend.
Those pics of Cookie are absolutely precious! Keep ’em coming! I made coconut bacon for the first time about a month ago, and my carnivorous husband LOVED it! It disappeared very quickly.
Thank you, Holly! Glad to hear you’re both on the coconut bacon train! :)
It looks so awesome. I will definitely give it a shot :)
What a clever idea! I’ll have to look out for those big pieces of coconut (the “shredded” variety is all I have on hand). Great photographs.
Thanks! If you have any leftover coconut flakes, they’re great in granola.
Gah! Cookie is so freaking cute! :o) I’ve never made coconut bacon before…I might just have to try it!
Thanks, Mary! I hope you enjoy the coconut bacon!
Well this is super cool! NEVER would have thought coconut could be a good substitute for bacon, but now I am incredibly curious to try this!
Thanks, Meg! Hope you give coconut bacon a try—it’s pretty shocking how much it tastes like the real deal!
this sounds too good to be true, but i am definitely willing to give it a try!
I’m not a vegetarian and I actually don’t care for coconut and yet I’m tempted to try this out! Probably because Cookie looks so adorable. I hope she shows up in posts more often!
Hmm, well, you might still like the coconut bacon! The coconut flakes are really a different experience than the shredded/sweetened stuff. They have a more mild flavor and a cool texture. Cookie is always happy to model for me, so I’ll try to publish pics of her more often! I used to be afraid of overdoing it, but I really just hear requests for more. :)
Awww…Cookie is way too cute! I’ve been really intrigued by the idea of coconut bacon but haven’t yet managed to make some. It looks like I really should! First I need to find some liquid smoke though but I don’t think it will be an impossible task.
Thanks, Sini! I hope you can find Liquid Smoke. It’s usually near the barbecue sauce here in the states… but I’m not sure you can buy barbecue sauce over there! Let me know if you can’t find any. I’ll mail you some. :)
I’m really stoked about this! Like, really! I hadn’t eaten any meat in 18 years. Up until 2 years I go, I started dabbling in the consumption of bacon and feel totally awful about it. I’m going to try this and hope it hits the spot. Btw-those pictures of Cookie are just adorable!!! LOVE!
Miss Violet, I hope you love the bacon! I used to eat bacon on occasion, but I stopped after Cookie’s accident earlier this year. Just can’t do it. Fortunately, coconut bacon is a delicious alternative!
Pup is ADORABLE! We have made a similar version of this and called it vegan crack :)
Thanks, Barbara! I can see why you would call this stuff crack. I’m about to go snack on some more…
Brilliant!!!
Thanks, Kate! :)
This sounds amazing and will definitely try, but I adore the photos of your pup, how adorable!
Thanks, Judie! I hope you enjoy the coconut bacon. Cookie says hi!
Aaaaah Cookie is soooo cute! She really looks like my dog Jip :)
Totally love the idea of turning coconut into bacon!
I always hesitate with using liquid smoke, but here’s a good video on a trusted website that explains the harms (or not so much) of liquid smoke as a carcinogen and more importantly (more harmful) is smoking meat!
http://nutritionfacts.org/video/is-liquid-smoke-flavoring-carcinogenic/
I look forward to trying this recipe!
Fauna, thank you for sharing your link! I’m going to go watch it now.
I remember reading this last year and thinking that I wasn’t enough of a bacon-lover to go this far. But, it’s so easy! And must add some really great depth of flavor to just about everything. I’m going to try it! I’m sure my poor omnivore husband would appreciate even a vegetarian attempt at a BLT once in a while :)
COOKIE IS KILLING ME! With cuteness! Soooo adorable. I die.
Sophie, hope you give coconut bacon a shot! It’s so easy and really good, I promise!
I tried to make BEET bacon yesterday and it totally didn’t work. Going to give your coconut version a try!
Beet bacon would’ve been interesting. Your beautiful beet chips you posted a few days ago made me wish I liked beets! Eeps.
This looks so delicious! Now to track down liquid smoke … can’t wait to give it a try!
Thanks, Christine! Liquid Smoke is usually near the barbecue sauce in grocery stores. Good luck!
Crazy genius recipe. This I need to try. My kids will freak too!
xoxox
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Thanks, Erin! Hope you all love the coconut bacon as much as Cookie and I do! :)
Cookie is unbelievably adorable!
Thanks, Janet!
Such an interesting idea! The vegetarian brother is coming for dinner tonight and this might just find its way into the salad!
Huh – I am skeptical indeed…which is why I will try it right away!
I would love to try however unsure where to find unsweetened coconut flakes?? Anyone – please let me know!!! I see dried coconut chips at Trader Joe’s but they are already baked and sweet. I would love a source to locate the needed ingredient!!!! Thanks
Jessica, I’m sorry I didn’t provide details on where to find the coconut flakes! I’ve updated the post with details, including a link to Amazon, if you want to buy online. I found my flakes at Whole Foods, in the baking aisle. I’ve also found them at well-stocked grocery stores and other health food stores.
Jessica, I found them in the baking aisle at Whole Foods. Just made this and it is pretty gosh-darn amazing. Even though I haven’t eaten bacon in about ten years, this definitely tasted familiar to me. Next time I will lower the temp on my oven and keep a closer eye on it, though, because it started to burn about five minutes in. I never learn.
Thanks, Lorna! Glad you liked the bacon. Were you baking at a higher temp than 350? Mine has burnt quickly at 375 and up.
I had it at 350; I’m pretty sure my oven is just weird because I’ve burned other things in it, too. You’d think I would learn my lesson, but no. I plan on making another batch very soon, though, so I’ll be more careful!
Hmm, sounds like your oven is acting up! I’ve made this stuff in two different ovens and all batches have turned out well at 350. You might want to invest in an oven thermometer—they cost about ten dollars, and they’re especially helpful if your oven has a viewing pan and a light. I leave mine in the oven and it’s nice reassurance that the temperature is where it should be.
I actually had the same problem, mine burned after 350F. I usually don’t have this problem with my oven so it’s pretty strange.
It’s still eatable despite there being a lot of black pieces ;).
Oh no, I’m sorry! Were your coconut pieces on the small side? Maybe try 325 next time and keep an eye on it!
correction: viewing pane
What a great idea!! Perfect for salads!!
Great idea. I’ve got all the ingredients in my kitchen. BLT’s for lunch…can hardly wait.
Great pictures of Cookie!!! Adorable!
Thanks, Kathy! Hope you loved the “B”LT’s!
Oh dear Cookie. If only she had tongs. :) These look absolutely delicious!
If its a good as it sounds I have to try it!
What a creative idea! l love all the Cookie pictures too…I think that’s a testament to how delicious this must have smelled! I do have to admit that I miss bacon from time to time, so I’m excited to try this substitute. Are unsweetened coconut flakes easy to find?
Hey Julia! I’m sorry I didn’t mention where to buy the ingredients. Coconut flakes are pretty easy for me to find these days, in well-stocked grocery stores and natural food stores. I found it most recently at Whole Foods, in the baking aisle.
Thanks, Kate! Isn’t Whole Foods the best? I’m excited to try this!
Indeed! Hope you love the “bacon”!
So many adorable photos of Cookie! How could I NOT make this?! We do that silly thing where we put a little crust of toast or something on the table corner and our pup Maggie is so, SO persistent in pawing at it or doing her little jumps to get closer.
Now I want coconut bacon for breakfast :))
Cookie has a crazy vertical. She’s always stealing stuff from the edge of the kitchen counters when I’m not looking. The other day, I was spinning in circles in my kitchen, looking for the small loaf of artisan bread I’d *just* set down. That’s when I noticed Cookie trying to skulk past my feet with the loaf of bread securely planted between her jaws. Those dogs! I wish Maggie and Cookie could have a play date. :)
I’ve been obsessed with coconut bacon since another blogger mentioned it earlier this year. SO GOOD!!! (Clearly Cookie agrees!) I’m trying your recipe next. :)
So interesting! I will admit I am a bit skeptical but I will have to give it a try – after all your coconut milk based ice cream tips did wonders for me:) I am thinking of doing a vegetarian cobb salad with tempeh and this could sub in for the bacon!
Trust me on this one! :) Your tempeh cobb salad sounds awesome!
OMG, KATE, this is genius! Love the pictures of the dog trying to eat the bacon, cuteness overload!
Thank you, Phi! :)
I can’t wait to try out this recipe. Cookie is absolutely adorable! Love the pics you added of her. If it is good enough for Cookie, I’m sure it will be delicious.
Thank you, Susan! Cookie is a coconut bacon fiend, for sure. Hope you love it, too!
I’m so intrigued! Bacon is so incredibly delicious (especially the new-found natural kind without nitrates/nitrites!) but I love the idea of using coconut if it still hits the spot. Pinning!
cookie is the cutest! our pup, quint is such a crumb chaser, and he always surprises us with eating (and liking) the oddest things! i remember your salad from last year and thinking that coconut bacon sounded so intriguing. looking forward to giving a try soon!
Thanks, Lindsey! Glad to know your pup’s name now. He’s so cute!
Oh my goodness, Cookie’s face says it all. Those bacon-crazy eyes and the cutest little grabby paws :)
If it’s Cookie Approved then I’ll have to give it a try. For some reason the first thing I thought of was: doughnuts. Everyone seems to have a recipe for bacon salted caramel doughnuts, and now I can eat one too :)
Thanks Kate!
This bacon definitely earned Cookie’s stamp of approval, yes! :) Now I want to try coconut bacon doughnuts!!!
Holy moly. I can’t wait to try this!
Interesting…Cookie has convinced me to try this. I’m officially on the hunt for Liquid Smoke. Happy Nesting!
Thanks! Liquid Smoke is pretty readily available in stores, near the barbecue sauce!
Ohhhh that sweet furry Cookie! Love! This post definitely sells it Kate, I cannot wait to try this gorgeously bacon-y coconut wonder! Haha… Oh dear. Half a pack of gum? Was she okay (I’m imagining tummy troubles, though I do know that dog digestion is much better than ours!) xx
Ha, thanks Laura! She was fine after she ate the gum. I had to call poison control to make sure one of the ingredients wasn’t dangerous (it wasn’t). Sometimes she steals the chapstick out of my purse, so I make sure they’re non-toxic. Sheesh!
I’ve been a little hesitant to jump on the coconut bacon bandwagon, just because I wasn’t sure if it was worth it. But you’re really selling it!