Carrot Bacon Recipe

Carrot bacon? Oh yes, it’s a thing—and it’s amazing. Smoky, crispy, and ridiculously easy to make, this is plant-based magic at its best.
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Strips of carrot bacon on a plate.
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Turning carrots into bacon is one of those kitchen tricks that’s almost too good to be true—but it works. With a quick slice, a smoky marinade, and a little oven time, you’ve got crispy, savory strips that are the perfect stand-in for the real deal. Carrot bacon is super easy to make, ridiculously fun to eat, and will have you side-eyeing your produce drawer wondering what else you’ve been missing.

Whether you’re layering it in a sandwich, draping it onto a bagel or avocado toast, (or just sneaking pieces straight off the baking tray!), carrot bacon is here to make your life a little crispier, smokier, and a lot more delicious. Let’s get into it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Carrot bacon isn’t just another trendy recipe—it’s a total game-changer. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and the kind of thing that makes you look like a kitchen wizard with minimal effort. Whether you’re new to plant-based cooking or just looking to shake up your vegan breakfast game, this recipe is here to deliver:

  • It’s shockingly simple. A few carrots, a quick marinade, and your trusty oven (or air fryer!) are all you need to pull this off.
  • Big bacon vibes, no bacon needed. Smoky, savory, and just the right amount of crispy—carrot bacon gives you everything you love without the cholesterol.
  • Customizable to your cravings. Prefer less smoky and more sweet? More spice? You’re in control here.
  • Ridiculously versatile. Layer it in sandwiches, crumble it over salads, or just eat it straight up as a snack. It works with everything.
  • Better for you and the planet. Plant-based, wholesome, and kinder on the environment—it’s a win-win.
Smoky carrot bacon on  a plate.

Key Ingredients

The beauty of carrot bacon is in its simplicity—just a handful of common pantry staples come together to create that smoky, savory, bacon-y magic. Each ingredient plays a key role in building layers of flavor and texture that make this recipe truly shine. Here’s what you’ll need:

Key ingredients for carrot bacon with labels.
  • Carrots: The star of the show! Thick, sturdy carrots are perfect for creating ribbons that crisp up beautifully in the oven. They soak up the smoky marinade like a dream, transforming into the perfect bacon substitute.
  • Soy Sauce or Tamari: This is where the umami comes in. Soy sauce adds depth and a salty kick, while tamari is a gluten-free alternative that’s just as flavorful.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of tanginess balances out the smoky and savory flavors, giving the marinade a subtle brightness that keeps things interesting.
  • Maple Syrup or Agave: The sweetness here is key—it offsets the salty and smoky flavors and helps the carrot bacon caramelize in the oven for that irresistible crispy finish.
  • Smoked Paprika: This spice is a bacon mimic’s best friend. It adds a smoky depth that’s essential to capturing that classic flavor.
  • Liquid Smoke: A little goes a long way! Liquid smoke gives the marinade an authentic, smoky edge that mimics the smoky quality of bacon… without the bacon.

Pro Tips For Smart Seasoning

The beauty of carrot bacon? You can tweak it to fit your vibe:

  • Want it less smoky? Cut the liquid smoke in half.
  • Craving some heat? Amp up the pepper and cayenne.
  • If you’re all about that salty crunch, skip the spices and let the marinade do the work.
  • If you’re a garlic lover, toss in a pinch of garlic powder for an extra punch of flavor—it’s always a good idea.

How To Make Carrot Bacon

Making carrot bacon is one of those recipes that feels fancy but is secretly so easy. It’s all about slicing, marinating, and baking—three simple steps to crispy, smoky perfection. Scroll to the end of this post for the full recipe details, but here’s a quick peek at how it comes together:

Carrots on a plate with some of them sliced.

Step 1: Peel your carrots like a pro. Use a vegetable peeler to slice thick, ribbon-like strips of carrot.

Thinly sliced carrots on a plate.

Aim for a mix of sizes—they’ll all turn out deliciously crispy, so no pressure for perfection here.


Step 2: Mix up that smoky marinade. Whisk together a few pantry staples like soy sauce, maple syrup, and liquid smoke to create a marinade that’s full of big bacon vibes.

Slices of carrot in a baking dish with marinade.

Step 3: Let those carrots soak it all in. Toss the carrot ribbons in the marinade and let them hang out for at least 30 minutes. The longer they sit, the deeper the flavor—overnight works great if you’re planning ahead!

Carrot slices on a cooling rack.

Step 4: Bake them to crispy bliss. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lay the marinated carrot ribbons on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Flip halfway through and bake for 10-15 minutes more until crispy.

Carrot bacon on a plate.

Be sure to keep an eye on them toward the end—they can easily char in the last 5 minutes… enjoy!

Pro Tip For Crispy Carrot Bacon

For the crispiest results, try baking your carrot bacon on a wire rack instead of directly on parchment paper—it helps the heat circulate for an even cook. If you’re short on time, a quick 15-minute marinade works great, but if you’re after bold flavor, an overnight soak is the way to go.

Just keep in mind that longer marinating can make the carrots a little softer in the center, so balance flavor and texture based on your preference!

How To Serve

Our favorite ways to serve up smoky, crackly carrot bacon? The possibilities are endless! From topping burgers to sneaky straight-from-the-pan snacking, this recipe knows no limits. Whether you’re keeping it classic or getting a little adventurous, here are some tasty ideas to get you started:

  • Classic BLT, but make it carrot-y. Swap out traditional bacon for these crispy ribbons in a carrot bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. Add a smear of vegan mayo for extra zing.
  • Burger topper extraordinaire. Pile it high on a sesame-bunned veggie burger for a smoky, savory upgrade that’ll take your burger game to the next level.
  • Snack it straight off the pan. Nothing beats snacking on these crispy strips fresh out of the oven. Fair warning, they disappear fast.
  • Elevate your hummus platter. Arrange it alongside pita, veggies, and dips for a party-worthy platter that’s as easy as it is impressive.
  • Upgrade your salads. Drape it over your favorite greens for a smoky crunch that’ll make you look forward to eating salad (yes, really).
  • Jazz up your breakfast. Serve it alongside a tofu scramble, on a plant-based breakfast sandwich, top it over a vegan cream cheese-slathered bagel with capers and onions, or pair it with avocado toast for a classic with a unique spin.

FAQs

What does carrot bacon taste like?

Carrot bacon has a smoky, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness from the marinade. The texture is crispy on the edges and slightly chewy in the center, making it a delicious stand-in for traditional bacon. It’s the perfect blend of salty, smoky, and satisfying.

What is veggie bacon made from?

Veggie bacon is made from plant-based ingredients like carrots, tempeh, tofu, or even mushrooms. For carrot bacon, thin ribbons of carrots soak up a smoky, salty marinade before being baked to crispy perfection.

Is carrot bacon healthy?

Yes! Carrot bacon is made from whole, plant-based ingredients and is free from cholesterol. It’s a lighter alternative to traditional bacon, packed with nutrients and fiber.

A plate of crispy veggie bacon made from carrots.

If you make this carrot bacon recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know what you think in the comments below! I love reading your comments!

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Easy Vegan Carrot Bacon

5 from 13 votes
This easy carrot bacon is the snacky, crispy, savory magic you didn’t know your veggie drawer was hiding. It’s everything you love about bacon—salty, smoky, savory—but 100% plant-based and cruelty-free. Toss it on a sandwich, serve it up as a bold breakfast side, or drape it over a toasted bagel with vegan cream, cheese with all the fixings for a little extra wow-factor. Honestly, it’s so good, you might not make it past snacking straight from the pan!
Strips of carrot bacon on a plate.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Marinating time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 1 -2 cups

Ingredients

  • ½ pound thick carrots or 2 large width carrots
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce, or tamari if gluten-sensitive
  • 2 tablespoons oil, olive, sesame, or peanut work well
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter, or tahini if nut-sensitive
  • ½ tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup or agave
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

Instructions

  • Please plan to marinate your carrots for at least 30 minutes before baking.
  • Prepare the carrots by rinsing them, chopping off the ends, and peeling the first layer off of the carrots (optional).
  • Placing one carrot at a time onto the cutting board, use the peeler to shave thick ribbons slices using a heavy hand and you peel. Try to aim for at least ½-1” in width. When one side seems to be close to the center, flip the carrot to the other side and continue to peel into thick strips.
  • Mix up your marinade by adding all of the rest of the ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk well. Add the carrot ribbons and toss gently. Let them sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes or more. The longer, the better.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Once the carrots are finished marinating, place one ribbon at a time onto a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Leave a tiny bit of room between each ribbon. Bake for 10 minutes, turn each ribbon over, and cook for another 10-15 minutes, depending on your oven. In the last 5 minutes, check often so that the carrot bacon does not burn.

Notes

  • Leftovers for Days: Store your carrot bacon in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. To reheat, toast it in the oven at 350°F for a few minutes to bring back that crispiness.
  • Air Fryer Magic: Short on time? Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes, then cook the carrot ribbons at 300°F for about 4 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them toward the end—crispy is good, but burnt is not the vibe.
  • Salty or Not? You Decide: If you’re watching your sodium, go for low-sodium tamari, soy sauce, or coconut aminos. This recipe isn’t super salty to start with, but it’s easy to adjust to your taste.
  • Save Those Scraps! Don’t toss the carrot peels you didn’t use—they’re perfect for homemade veggie broth, soups, or even compost. Bonus points if you choose organic carrots and keep the skins on to maximize nutrition.

Nutrition

Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1122mg | Potassium: 496mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 19542IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 1mg
Course — Side
Cuisine — American
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5 from 13 votes

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Recipe Rating




21 comments
  1. 5 stars
    I notice you say to preheat the air fryer to 400 but cook at 300 — is this right or a typo? I can see how the cooking could work with the temp falling, but just wanted to make sure! Thank you!

    • Hi Barbara! Most air fryers seems to only preheat at 400 degrees, so that’s why the directions are noted that way. Cooking at 300 degrees allows the carrot bacon to get crispy, but not burnt. If you don’t have to preheat your air fryer, you can skip that part and just cook the bacon a little bit longer. Just make sure to check it often. Hope this helps! 😀

  2. 5 stars
    One of my favorite recipes to make and the perfect substitute for a crispy, salty, smoky side. Soo good!

  3. 5 stars
    I never tried carrot bacon but this looks really good!

  4. 5 stars
    Love how creative this is!

  5. 5 stars
    WOW OBSEESED with how crunchy and tasty these carrot bacon were. what a fantastic recipe

  6. 5 stars
    Bacon-like carrot snack, wow! What a great idea, perfect for my picky eaters, thanks!

  7. 5 stars
    This one was a huge hit! I don’t even like carrots but I gave it a try, one of the most amazing vegan bacon recipes I’ve tried! Mine got a little burnt but still tasted really good.

    • Fantastic! So glad you shared. I almost feel like a little bit overdone is even better for this carrot bacon – lol!

  8. 5 stars
    Such a perfect carrot bacon recipe! Easy to make and full of flavor (with the perfect crunch!).

  9. 5 stars
    Thank you for a simple and flavorful recipe for carrot bacon! This is a great option for a snack, side…whatever your heart desires. My favorite part? The fact it’s guilt free.

    • I know! Isn’t that the best? Healthy and also snack-like. A win-win!

  10. 5 stars
    Love that there’s an air fryer version too. So good!

    • So happy that the air fryer version helps! I tried it both ways and liked both – a little different, but in a good way 🙂

  11. 5 stars
    the recipe was fantastic. I use the veggie bacon strips for our Sunday vegan grill on top of impossible burgers. Delicious!

    • So happy to hear it! What a great idea to add it on top of a vegan burger 😀

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