Author: 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.
(click stars to vote)
Banana Peel Bacon
Servings: strips
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Ingredients
- 2 very ripe banana peels, (from 2 bananas, I used organic bananas and washed them before making the bacon)
- 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
⭐ Did You Make This Recipe?
I’d love if you left a rating and comment, it helps others find the recipe and makes my day! 💕
Sandy says
My husband and I are neither vegetarian or vegan, but we both loved this! We live in France, where American-style bacon is pretty much nonexistent. I'd made mushroom bacon several times in the past, but this is better IMO, because the strips look more like "real" bacon. Thanks for helping us reduce the compost!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Sandy, I love this so much!! So glad you enjoyed it (and yay for reducing waste too!). Thank you for sharing 💛
Georgia E Brooks says
Just getting back to vegan after 2 years. You certainly have helped make it easier for me and my husband. I made the banana peel bacon, loved it! Even had my husband's brother (who loves real bacon) say it was good. Tomorrow making tofu scrambled breakfast. Cut up the veggies I want to add and made the seasoning today. Like black salt as egg substitute. Bought my first book, will be buying the other 2 as soon as I can. Thank you for making it easier for 2 old retirees to eat healthier!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That’s so wonderful to hear, Georgia! I’m honored to be part of your return to vegan life, and I love that even the bacon lover approved 🥰 Enjoy that tofu scramble tomorrow! And thank you so much for supporting my work and my books! 💚
Carol says
I saved peels from 4 bananas in a zip loc bag in fridge over several days. By the time I got back to it they were all brown, but did not look spoiled, so I went ahead with the recipe. Other than a couple of skins that were too delicate to scrape, I had a good crop. I planned to do a short marinade, but partner got into the kitchen space so I waited until he was done, so they were marinated about 1 hour. I cooked them a couple minutes on each side. Because they were so dark, I could not tell if they were browned. They crisped up slightly, but not crispy. They took on too much of the soy sauce taste. In the future, I will make sure I can cook them in a shorter time and probably add something to dilute the soy sauce. They had the texture of a sauted, marinated mushroom. Not BLT worthy yet. I used them chopped up in a fried rice with other vegetables and they were pretty good in it. Apparently they are high in potassium and fiber, so it is a resource I will be open to exploring in the future. Thanks for the inspiration!
Carol says
FYI, I am a different Carol than the one that commented below.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, Carol!
Carol says
I made this today. It's pretty good, but I did find it a little on the bitter side. The peels I used definitely had brown spots on them, and I scraped the inside mushy part very well. It is kind of salty, so I would recommend either using a low sodium soy sauce or tamari if that bothers you. I tried one right out of the skillet, then used the other ones in a bagel/vegan cheese/BP bacon sandwich. Definitely delicious! I will be keeping a container of marinade in the fridge and reusing the banana peels from now on. If I had the option, I would have given it a 4.5 star rating. Much nicer than paying out several $$ on fake bacon from the store.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
So happy you enjoyed it Carol. Try marinating the peels a bit longer or adding a touch more sweetness next time to help cut the bitterness. Enjoy!
Martin R Jorgensen says
Nope, nope. not even close.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Martin, Can I ask what didn't turn out for you? I would love to help you troubleshoot what might have gone wrong. 🙂
Marts says
So great to use all parts of the banana. I was soaking my banana peels in H2O & feeding my plants. But now I can eat the peel, get the goodness and the tastiness. Thank you
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
You're most welcome Marts 🙂
Chris says
And you can still use that white part you scraped from the peels for your plant soak water...
Sena says
You did it again, Sam! This came out great! I had my first ever BLT yesterday after making this recipe. It was incredible. I had it on homemade crusty sliced bread. There are so many banana peel bacon recipes online now, but I came here because your recipes are reliable. By the way, the saltiness was perfect for me, but I will use a low sodium tamari for my husband next time. Also, I used maple syrup instead of agave. Thank you for this recipe!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I'm so happy you loved it Sena!! Thank you for trusting my recipes 🙂
Kathleen English says
Loved this! Unfortunately I made the mistake of telling my very thrifty husband about this idea and now he won’t let me compost any of our banana peels. He literally saves them all and turns them into bacon! I can’t stop him 🙂
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Haha! I love that!!
Denise Weddell says
can you air fry them??
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I haven't tested it, but it should 🙂
Thea says
Just to let you know, air fried mine today!
6-10 minutes, keep a close eye!!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for the tips!
John D says
Don't do this unless you have death wish!
A lot of fungicide and pesticide is prayed onto commercially grown bananas because they are an intensive tropical fruit and you absolutely aren't supposed to eat the peel.
There is no effective method to remove these toxic chemicals from the peel before you eat it.
This recipe should be removed.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi John, that is why I used organic bananas and washed them before making the bacon. Organic bananas are grown without synthetic pesticides and fungicides, making the peel safe to consume when prepared properly. I hope that helps clarify!
Fernand says
Good enough to try again This time i will follow your recipe When i told my friends that i was eating banane peels !!!! will not say what they said
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Glad you enjoyed!!
Sarah says
I had one very ripe banana and tried this. I had heard it was good from someone a couple of years ago so I thought I'd give it a try. I was actually telling my son beforehand that monkeys eat the whole banana peel and all. Which reminded me of the banana peel bacon. This recipe popped up. I served it to 2 of my teens. I think I fried it a little too much but wanted to make sure it was crisp for them Instead of soggy. It was good and I would fix it again and cook it less. It didn't taste like bacon either but overall I like that you can eat the peels and not waste them.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes! Waste not, want not!
Jan says
Actually only captive monkeys eat bananas. They wouldn’t find them in the wild!!
Delicious recipe
aleks says
it's honestly ground-breaking, everyone i've told about it seemed sceptical at first and then tried and loved it!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We love to hear that you're spreading the good word!
Andrew Dabrowski says
Why is it necessary to scrape off the "white inside part"?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Andrew, because that part is quite bitter and mushy so it will stop your bacon from getting the correct crispy texture and savory taste. I hope that helps!
Andrew Dabrowski says
Thanks. Any use for the mushy part?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I don't think so! There really isn't much (probably only a few teaspoons from 1 banana). I suppose you could add it to a smoothie but note that it would add a bitter taste.
Camas Camas Baugh says
you can use the white part for a face mask
JOAN says
And I believe the inside banana peel is often used to polish leather shoes.
celine says
can we make it on the barbecue or in the oven under the grill? I didn't try it yet but love the idea so I put 5 stars!
Camas Camas Baugh says
Has anyone tried this with frozen peels? I have a TON of frozen, unpeeled bananas...
Lisa says
would love your pulled pork recipe. mom is vegan always looking for new things to make things for her
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I haven't tested it, but my guess is that it would be too delicate to make on on a barbecue. And I am guessing it would burn too easily under the grill. I hope that helps!
Pat says
I made this yesterday. Followed recipe to a T! The author spouts that it really, really does taste good. It doesn't.
I like everything about this; the no-waste, the nutrition, the ease, the look and the texture. But, it does not "really, really" taste good. It does not taste horrible, but it is a tad bitter. I would not go out of my way to make it again, at least not like this. I have another idea; maybe just marinate in a smoke sauce.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Pat, I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t your favorite! A bitter taste usually comes from using bananas that aren’t very ripe—the peels should have lots of brown spots to ensure they’re sweet enough. Also, making sure to scrape off all of the white inner part of the peel is key, as that can add bitterness. Most people really love this recipe (as you can see from the 200+ five-star reviews!), so it sounds like something might have gone a little off. If you decide to try it again, I hope these tips help! Let me know if you have any other questions. 😊
Carrie Ann Ruiz says
DOGS ARE NOT SUPOSE TO EAT GARLIC IT CAN BE TOXIC!
Other than the garlic I want to try this recipe.
Rico Micallef says
It is good- it doesn't taste like bacon that is why I only gave it 4 stars so not consistent with the name, but it is good. It did not taste like banana nor bacon, but I liked it and will make it again! I recently discovered you can eat banana peel, so I am intrigued and trying different ways to eat the peel.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for giving it a try!
Jessica Starks says
Hay Sam Turnball/ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken I've had the plant based Banana peel bacon, and it taste exactly like bacon!! When I first tried it my mind was blown away at how it taste exactly like real bacon. I've made it a little over a dozen times already lol. You were right about having more Maranian and making more. Thanks again for great doable recipes.
Ang. says
Perfect first time! No issues for me such as some of the comments. Scraped the organic and washed peel and blotted on paper towell, then fry at a medium low and flip time to time until medium brown. Then on to paper towell and they do crisp up well!!
A new favorite bacon method! Thanks Sam!!
Sean says
Hi,
How long did you leave them to crisp up?
Mine were quite soggy even thought i cooked them for quite a while.
Ang. says
I think that I scraped the peel down further making them thinner which provided for quicker cooking as well as crisping. it was a good experience but, a bit tricky compared to other ways I've been trying to make faux bacon
Bridget says
Some pieces tasted too much like banana, which I don’t want in my bacon, others just not tasty. The texture of chewing through a banana peel was off putting. I’ll stick with thinly sliced tofu bacon.
Tina says
Just curious if these have to be eaten immediately or if they keep in the fridge. I’m thinking it would be nice to have some on hand for blt’s through the week. Has anyone tried keeping them?