Yes, you read that right, this is banana peel bacon. A vegan bacon recipe made from the banana peels that you would otherwise toss away. Am I crazy? Maybe a little. Does it taste good? Yes, it does. It really, really does!
There has been a recent trend of making a vegan pulled pork type sandwich using banana peels, but for the most part, people have had bad experiences with it, saying that it actually tasted awful. But I didn't let that get me down. I was more intrigued by the idea of making banana peel bacon than the pulled pork (but let me know if you want me to give the pulled pork a try too). It took several experiments, but then the magic happened. Let me tell you, the results are good. Like actually really good. Like addictively yummy good.
The banana peel bacon is crispy, chewy, and a bit greasy just like traditional bacon. A bit thinner than traditional bacon, the flavour is smoky, salty, slightly sweet, and has a subtle hint of banana taste which is actually quite delicious. I'm not the only crazy one who liked it, my partner Adam and my dog Chickpea were both crazy about it too!
Banana peel bacon would be delicious alongside a vegan fried egg, tofu scramble, on a sandwich, chopped and served on a salad, or to top a pasta dish!
To make banana peel bacon:
The number one most important step is to use bananas that are very ripe. Stay far away from green bananas, the bacon will taste terrible. The riper the banana the better the flavour so pick bananas that are yellow with lots of brown spots.
To prepare the banana peels, remove the peels from the bananas and tear into about 4 strips per banana. Use a spoon to lightly scrape off the white inside part of the banana peel leaving just the peel.
Make the marinade by mixing the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and garlic powder together in a dish that will fit your banana peels.
Add the banana peels and toss to coat. Let marinade for a minimum of 10 minutes, but as long as a few hours.
You will likely have leftover marinade. Feel free to make more banana peel bacon or to save the marinade for a few days in a container in the fridge to use again later.
When ready to cook the bacon, heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. When hot add the peels and fry a couple of minutes per side until they are golden and bubble up a little. It may get a little smoky as the sugars will burn so make sure to turn on your hood fan. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel. They should get crispier as they cool.
Now if you want to use up those bananas you just peeled, try more of my vegan recipes such as my banana milk, banana nut muffins, banana bread oatmeal, healthy breakfast cookies, banana coconut French toast, or any of my dessert flavoured smoothies.
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Banana Peel Bacon
Ingredients
- 2 very ripe banana peels,, (from 2 bananas, see instructions)*
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon light oil, (or more if needed)
Instructions
- The number one most important step is to use bananas that are very ripe. Stay far away from green bananas, the bacon will taste terrible. The riper the banana the better the flavour so pick bananas that are yellow with lots of brown spots. To prepare the banana peels: remove the peels from the bananas and tear into about 4 strips per banana. Use a spoon to lightly scrape off the white inside part of the banana peel leaving just the peel.
- Make the marinade by mixing the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and garlic powder together in a dish that will fit your banana peels. Add the banana peels and toss to coat. Let marinade for a minimum of 10 minutes, but as long as a few hours.
- When ready to cook the bacon, heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. When hot add the peels and fry a couple of minutes per side, until they are golden and bubble up a little. It may get a little smoky as the sugars will burn so make sure to turn on your hood fan. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel. They should get crispier as they cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Catherine says
This was great for a quick vegan bacon especially if you eat bananas daily like I do... followed the recipe exactly and i was impressed by the result
Geetha says
I make plantain chips in 7 flavors and we have a lot of very greenplantain peels. I am composting it now, but looking at your post, wondering if I can make the Pulled pork with the plantain peels vs the banana peels - the difference is the plantain peels are green.
Reese says
I haven’t tried these yet, but I’m about to and excited to see how they hold up as I’m also a fan of not wasting food product. Sorry for the unnecessary comment, but the amount of people on here criticizing you for using the banana peels or saying you use organic is pretty irritating. Most people just want to complain and don’t recognize that almost all food products (especially in the US) are going to be subpar and not exactly great for you health-wise. People are pretty ignorant generally when it comes to food, so my condolences for you having to deal with the sheer amount of idiocy witnessed in the comment section. Using scraps that are supposedly “not healthy” because of pesticides?? Okay, but also recognize that these people are probably eating Oreos or other substitutes with ingredients and additives that are just as bad, if not worse. Stay educated, people, or simply open your eyes to the entire food crisis in America instead of haranguing a food blogger for being productive. Partial ignorance is bliss, banana-peel haters.
Robert Blodgett says
You asked for nutrition information on banana peels, this link provides some:
https://www.businessinsider.com/benefits-of-eating-banana-peels-2015-9
Aim says
Hey Sam & all,
I came across your site and recipe when i was searching for diy banana peel fertilizer for my plants. So, I'm not a vegan, and in preparing food for my 2 men (husb and 15 y.o.son) there's def regular bacon consumed. I have baked it instead of frying bc of greasy mess. Im wondering if this nanner-bacon would work if you brushed w oil and baked on cookie sheet or parchment paper?
Veronica says
Love the idea of using all of the banana, but I can't quite make it work! I have tried twice now, once with really thin peel and today with some of the pith left. They are slightly too salty for me but that easily remided by using a little less soy next time. The thing that bothers me is that they have this sour/ bitter hint to them. The facon is only black at the edges but the middle part also taste a bit sour and I can detect a hint of banana as well, so it cannot be due to it being burnt. I followed the recipe, only omitted the garlic powder and used a few drops liquid smoke instead of smoked paprika,
I would so much like this to work!!!! Any suggestions?
Meli says
Heyo! I’m trying out this recipe right now 🙂 In other blogs about making banana peel pulled pork (or Brazilian “crazy meat” carne casca louca) they instruct soaking the peels in a bit of vinegar and water for 5 mins to get rid of the astringency. Maybe try that?
Veronica says
Hi Meli,
Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that next time! 🙂
Ms. says
Maybe try preparing as originally written, not omitting or switching up ingredients. You can't really say it did not work, if you did not follow the recipe as written-right?
Veronica says
Like I mentioned in the comment I tried it twice. First time I followed the recipe as is. Only the second time I replaced smoked paprika with two drops liquid smoke and no garlic powder. Both times it didn't quite work for me so I asked for suggestions because I really want to make them.
If it works for you as is, great.
Patti says
Love the idea of not wasting the peels! Any idea so as not to let these burn, as it affects the flavor. I realize that sugar will naturally burn, so perhaps add the maple syrup last (much like grilling) or perhaps an alternative ingredient? Many thanks!
April Reding says
I tried this recipe with plantain peels. Doesn't have the sweet banana flavor. Great recipe. Thanks
Nay says
It took me months to finally be able to make this. Of course I thought what many people thought. This recipe idea is ridiculous! Banana peels? Just STOP with the DIY vegan alternatives already!
But I was eating so many bananas... what would be so wrong in trying it out?
OH ME, OH MY! This is actually scarely really delicious! Even though I made it, ate it, and loved it, it's still unfathomable. Genius. Tasty.
TIP: If you have no liquid smoke, or smokey paprika, just get the pan burning a little after cooking, throw all these bad boys in, cover the pot, and turn off the fire. Natural smokiness in a minute, y'all!
Sam Turnbull says
Hahaha! Thrilled you loved it Nay!
Marta says
Sam,
I would love to try this! My husband loves bananas and we always have them in the house. Problem is, he likes them barely ripe. My question is, is there any way to ripen the peels after they have been removed from the banana?
Thanks!
Ian says
Refrigerating the peels afterwards should speed up the process, or at least it has for me in the past.
Andrea says
Made this and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Doubled the recipe and added a teaspoon of liquid smoke. Was not able to get the crunchiness that I expected, but the taste was amazing. May try extra liquid smoke next time around + test it in the air fryer.
Elize says
The banana peels themselves offer additional nutrients, including: Vitamin B6. Vitamin B12. Magnesium.
...
Nutrients per Serving
Calories: 105.
Fat: 0 grams.
Carbohydrates: 27 grams.
Sugar: 14 grams.
Fiber: 3 grams.
Protein: 1 gram.
Aug 18, 2020
http://www.webmd.com › ... › Reference
Banana Peel: Health Benefits, Nutrients, Preparation, and More
Janee says
Thanks!
raffaella says
Dear Sam unfortunately bananas, pinapples and tropical fruit come from very far away and are spayed with chemicals that have to keep the fruit fresh for long time, fight fermentations and high temperature. The peels of bananas even inhibit compost processes because of that This recipe is very unhealthy. Big hug
Josh says
Not only pesticides, but filth. Bananas are known to be shipped crawling with insects and vermin (and the waste they excrete). They're one of the dirtiest crops Americans eat.
I would, at very least, scrub the hell out of these peels before I ate them, and even then, I would think twice.
Veronica says
Hi Raffaella,
I agree with you about the pesticides and always buy organic. Using organic bananas removes the risk of digesting pesticides, so you could safely try the recipe.
Love the idea of using everything on the banana instead of throwing away food. 🙂
Jo says
Plant your own banana tree and don't spray it. They pop out of the ground all over the place where I live.
P.s. I hope you don't eat any processed foods. Or any fruit or vegetable that's not grown in your own backyard.... They're pretty covered in pesticides. Oh and shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, beauty products, feminine products, clothing, etc. They all have residual amounts of toxins that are deamed safe when using that product, though not tested in combination with everything else you're using. Gotta choose your battles. Eat food, and don't waste. Much better philosophy.
Kylie says
It depends where you're from, I'm reading this recipe from Australia and we grow our own bananas. ♀️
raffaella says
Thank you Kalie you are absolutely right. I come from Switzerland so we import bananas, pinapples, mangoes....better to avoid this recipe but for you it is absolutely ok. Enjoy it !
Izzi says
I have to admit that I've been making "fake-on" for awhile, using rice paper strips dipped in a similar marinade then baked. They're really pretty good if you like your bacon crispy. This looks more like a slab bacon slice ...I'm totally trying it!
Susan Roman says
Sam, I wish you could have seen my husband's before and after face when I told him I made these and then when he tasted it. I made banana bread and decided to try this with the peels, just for fun. Next time I'll probably be making bacon and then making banana bread just for fun! (I used liquid smoke because I didn't have smoked paprika.)
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! I love that story 🙂
Veronica says
I had the exact same thought when I read this recipe! 😀
Sam Turnbull says
That's why I say to use organic in the recipe notes 😉
Jap says
Hello!
I find this recipe after I ate a bit of banana peel. By the way, what could be the alternative to maple syrup if it's unavailable?
Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Any liquid sweetener would work such as agave or corn syrup.
Vegan-hen says
My fitness pal says a banana peel is 70 cal
Jane says
Could I leave them in the marinade longer? Like days? My partner typically adds a banana to his protein shake every day, and I'm wondering if we could just stash them in a Tupperware in the fridge and cook like 3-5 days worth of bananas at once? I was also wondering if I could freeze them? Before or after cooking?
Sam Turnbull says
I've left them overnight before and they worked fine. I imagine longer would be fine as well. I imagine freezing them might not be as successful though. Enjoy!
Kim Emons says
I've looked at this recipe a number of times and thought...nope, nada, forget it...banana peel bacon. Then for some odd reason I stumbled across this recipe at the same time I was using a couple of bananas for a smoothie and thought, what the heck. I've been following Sam for so long now, I should know better than to question her skill in creating amazing tasting food. So...I gave it a try and WOW. This is fantastic. The taste is amazing, it's so easy to make (like 99% of Sam's recipes). The only thing I would watch out for is it can burn easily.
Thanks again Sam for yet another fantastic recipe. I'll never say no again!
Sam Turnbull says
Bahaha! I love this comment, I even shared it in my Instagram stories. Thank you Kim! 🙂
Rachel says
I cant wait to try this and turn it into a BLT sandwich! Thank you, Sam!
Bruno Boulanger says
Here is what I found:
The skin of the banana is as nutritious as its flesh: it provides iron, potassium, calcium and vitamins A, B, C and K. It also contains significant amounts of manganese, fiber, antioxidants and copper.
Banana peel is also a source of tryptophan, a protein that the body converts to serotonin, a natural relaxant.