Author: This quick and easy vegan bacon recipe is crispy, chewy, with a smoky delicious flavor, and made with just 6 ingredients! The strips are marinated in a salty, sweet, smoky marinade that tastes just like bacon!
Serve this vegan bacon alongside my vegan buttermilk pancakes for a classic breakfast. For more tips on getting the best flavor from tofu, take a look at my guide on how to marinate tofu.
FEATURED COMMENT:
Delicious tofu bacon recipe. It smells like bacon, it tastes like bacon, it chews like bacon, and it makes an excellent BLT sandwich. ... This is now my go-to recipe for bacon. Thank you Sam! - Del ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This tofu bacon can marinate in the fridge for up to 3 days so you can prep this ahead of time, and cook it up fresh. Cook it in your air-fryer, bake it, or pan fry it. Perfect for a stress-free morning. It's so easy-peasy you're gonna love it! New to tofu? Check out my tofu 101 guide to get you started.
I have several vegan bacon recipes on the blog including my famous Banana Peel Bacon, Wheat Starch Bacon, Mushroom Bacon, and Tofu Bacon Bits. I also have a recipes for Rice Paper Bacon and Coconut Bacon in my first cookbook Fuss-Free Vegan! So yeah, I guess I have a thing for making vegan bacon recipes. While I love all of those recipes, I was craving a vegan bacon recipe that was even quicker and easier to prepare than any before! So I came up with this recipe for tofu bacon which I love because I can do the prep days in advance and then just cook it up when I'm ready to enjoy it. Leftover cold vegan bacon is really good too, making it great for meal prepping, BUT I warn you, if you leave this vegan bacon sitting out on the counter, it WILL get devoured and you will have to make it over again (good thing it's easy to make)! I love enjoying tofu bacon as a side with a hearty vegan breakfast, but you can also use this recipe pretty much anywhere you want smoky saovry tastiness! Other ways to serve vegan bacon:
- in a vegan BLT sandwich
- on salads
- on pasta
- on pizza
- on a vegan burger
- on vegan mac & cheese
- on vegan grilled cheese
- or anywhere you want to add some smoky vegan bacon!
Common questions:
How To Make Vegan Bacon? Slice extra-firm tofu into thin, bacon-sized strips. Marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or for up to 3 days in the fridge. Pan-fry, air-fry, or bake it. Easy! How long will this vegan bacon last? Marinate the bacon for up to 3 days in the fridge. Leftover cooked vegan bacon is also delicious, just allow it to cool and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Can I freeze this vegan bacon? Yes! Once the cooked bacon has cooled, put in a freezer-safe container and pop it in the freezer. (I do not recommend freezing the tofu when it is in the marinade, only the fully cooked tofu freezes well for this recipe). 
How to Prep Quick & Easy Vegan Bacon:
Prep the tofu: drain and cut the tofu into bacon-sized strips. I like to make long skinny strips like in the picture above, but this does make them delicate to work with. If you want the tofu to be a bit easier to handle, cut the tofu into thin strips then cut the strips in half to make shorter pieces of bacon that will be easier to flip without breaking. I also tried pressing the tofu first, but I didn't find the end result had much difference so I don't think it is worth the extra time, but if you wish to press the tofu first, you can do so. 
Marinate the tofu: In a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and liquid smoke. 
Add the tofu to a sealable container or bag (make sure the container or bag is secure enough that you can flip it upside down without any liquid leaking out). Pour the marinade over the tofu, and gently turn the container or bag to coat the tofu. Let marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 3 days in the fridge. If you are marinating it for a long time, I like to flip the container every now and then to ensure it marinates evenly. The longer you marinate it, the more flavorful it will become. 
How to Cook Quick & Easy Vegan Bacon:
Cook the vegan bacon: to cook the vegan bacon you can either pan fry it, air fry it, or bake it. Pan-fry method: heat 1 - 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium heat. When hot gently add the marinated tofu slices in a single layer, working in batches. Fry 2 - 4 minutes per side until dark golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. Cook the tofu on a lower heat and for longer to ensure it gets crispy. Drain on paper towel, the tofu will crisp up and become chewier as it cools. 
Air Fry method (my fave): preheat your air fryer to 400F (200C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a bit of spray oil. Add the tofu slices in a single layer working in batches if needed, and spray the tops with a bit of spray oil. (Omit the oil for oil-free). Air fry for about 6 minutes until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools. Oven method: preheat your oven to 425F (220C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Lay the tofu in a single layer on the baking sheet, using two baking sheets if needed. Bake for 7 - 12 minutes, keeping a close eye on it until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools. 
Thisquick & easy vegan bacon is...
- crispy
- chewy
- smoky
- savory
- easy to make
What to serve with quick & easy vegan bacon:
- Tofu Scramble Spice Mix (use to make tofu scramble)\
- Hashbrown potatoes
- Vegan Egg Yolk
- Vegan Cream Cheese (on a bagel or toast)
- Easy Vegan Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Super Easy Vegan Croissants
- Easy Vegan Carrot Muffins
If you try this recipe let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram. Bon appetegan! Sam Turnbull.
(click stars to vote)
Quick and Easy Vegan Bacon (made with tofu)
Servings: - 28 strips of vegan bacon (about 1 lb)
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Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons soy sauce, (gluten-free if preferred)
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 (350g/ 12.3oz) block extra-firm tofu, drained and sliced into thin strips (see notes)
Instructions
- Marinate the tofu: In a small bowl mix together the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and liquid smoke. Add the tofu to a sealable container or bag (make sure the container or bag is secure enough that you can flip it upside down without any liquid leaking out). Pour the marinade over the tofu, and gently turn the container or bag to coat the tofu. Let marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 3 days in the fridge. If you are marinating it for a long time, I like to flip the container every now and then to ensure it marinates evenly. The longer you marinate it, the more flavorful it will become.
- Cook the bacon: to cook the vegan bacon you can either pan fry it, air fry it, or bake it. Pan-fry method: heat 1 - 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet or non-stick frying pan over medium heat. When hot gently add the marinated tofu slices in a single layer, working in batches. Fry 2 - 4 minutes per side until dark golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. Cook the tofu on a lower heat and for longer to ensure it gets crispy. Drain on paper towel, the tofu will crisp up and become chewier as it cools. Air Fry method (my fave): preheat your air fryer to 400F (200C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with a bit of spray oil. Add the tofu slices in a single layer working in batches if needed, and spray the tops with a bit of spray oil. (Omit the oil for oil-free). Air fry for about 6 minutes until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools.Oven method: preheat your oven to 425F (220C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. Lay the tofu in a single layer on the baking sheet, using two baking sheets if needed. Bake for 7 - 12 minutes, keeping a close eye on it, until the tofu has reduced in size and is golden brown. It will crisp and get chewy as it cools.
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! 💕More Vegan Bacon Recipes You Might Enjoy...
Paula says
What can I replace maple syrup with…cannot source it in the part of Thailand I live. Thanks
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Paula! You can use agave, brown sugar, or even a bit of coconut sugar mixed with water 🙂
Leo says
This recipe works great! Did thicker slices in the AF and used them for some hearty TLT with avo and red onions; Satisfying!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Leo! That sounds amazing, TLT with avocado and red onion is such a good combo 😍
Trina says
I marinated the tofu last night, it made for a quick and tasty sandwich before I left the house this morning! Brilliant idea for quick meal.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Love that idea, Trina! So glad you loved it!
Jen says
Excellent recipe!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay Jen!! So happy you enjoyed it 😄 Thank you so much for the review!
Gemma says
This tastes AMAZING. Thank you for sharing 😋😋😋 this is the best vegan bacon recipe. I am hooked
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you so much for your review Gemma! 😄
Karen says
The flavor was good but the texture was off. I made 20ish slices and air fried them for 6 minutes at 400F and they didn’t crisp up. They were still very soft and not like bacon at all.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Karen, sorry that happened. Make sure you are cooking only a few slices at a time and that they aren't overlapping or touching (you need air flow). If they don't look browned and golden try cooking them a few minutes more. And they bacon will get much crispier as it cools. I hope that helps!
Andrea says
Will this work with Lentil Tofu? its normally really firm once its ready.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We think it should! Please let us know how it turns out if you give it a try.
Di says
I was pleasantly surprised
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Wonderful!
Darren says
I've just tried this today. unfortunately the "bacon" tasted a bit too salty and too much like soy sauce. Would light soy sauce help reduce that overwhelming flavour do you think? Or perhaps a substitute to the soy sauce?
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
If it was too overpowering, yes, you could definitely try light soy sauce or even a watered down soy sauce.
Sara says
I thought this recipe was great. I used barbecue seasoning instead of the smoke. I used it in BLTs.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it Sara 🙂
Brenda says
Very satisfying! I made it twice for warm spinach salad with red onions and mushrooms and that really hit the spot. I am now motivated to marinate it overnight for deeper flavor.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! SO thrilled you loved it Brenda! Yes marinating it overnight will make it even more delicious! Thank you for the review 🙂
Connie says
Not as good as expected, didn’t get right texture. Used convection oven at 400 for 20 minutes. I also used tamari and Braggs aminos because I was out of soy sauce, so flavor was off too. Not sure I’ll try again or not
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Connie! Bragg’s and tamari are a bit sweeter and less salty than soy sauce, which can throw off the flavor, and 20 minutes in a convection oven may have overcooked it. If you ever try again, I’d recommend sticking closer to the original method for better texture and taste 😊
Gay says
Can I make this without liquid smoke. I don’t have and would love to make today
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Gay! Yes you can, just add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the marinade instead. It won't be quite as smoky but still delicious. Enjoy!!
delaney says
Hi Sam,
I have coconut aminos in the house; not soy sauce. Even though they are similar, I know they are certainly different. Will I still get that bacony taste if I use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce? And if I did try that, would it still be 6 TBS?
Thanks!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Delaney! Coconut aminos will still work, but they’re milder and a bit sweeter than soy sauce, so the flavor won’t be quite as bold or salty. You can use the same 6 tablespoons, but you might want to add a pinch of salt and reduce or omit the maple syrup to help boost that bacony punch. Let me know how it turns out!
Jo says
This was my first attempt at anything vegan and I absolutely loved it!!! Have now got more confidence to try other recipes. Am very excited to go on this journey. Thank you.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We're happy to have you on this journey! Enjoy many more recipes!
Lindsey Reiker says
This worked out wonderfully for BLTs! I made it in the air fryer, and it turned out great. It was hard to not keep snacking on it while waiting to assemble the sandwiches, hah!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Oooh I love a good BLT! I also love a BALT (with the addition of avocado, yum)! Haha, so happy it worked perfectly for you Lindsey! Thank you for the review 🙂
Kim says
Has anyone tried this with previously frozen and and then pressed firm tofu? When I’ve done other recipes with that, it is easier to marinate because it doesn’t fall apart.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Kim, it should work but the texture might be spongey. Enjoy!
Elizabeth says
Simple and good.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Happy you enjoyed it Elizabeth!
Behaba Alibaba says
Great halal recipe. I give this recipe 5 big booms 💣💣💣💣💣
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Behaba, glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the explosive review!
Sandra says
So easy and delicious. Love my breakfast sandwiches with this. I make mine in the air fryer.
Thank you for yet another delicious recipe.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yay! So happy you loved it Sandra! Thank you for the wonderful review 🙂