Food trends come and go, but eggplant “bacon” is definitely here to stay. If you’ve tried the coconut version, you know it’s delicious. The texture, on the other hand? Not so bacon-y. That’s where eggplant comes in, taking the tasty vegan breakfast staple to a whole new level.
Making Minimalist Baker‘s heavenly, cruelty-free Crispy Eggplant Bacon might look complicated. Surprisingly, that’s not the case at all: It only takes a few minutes of prep time. After creating thin strips of eggplant using a mandoline slicer, brushing on a marinade made up of spices, maple syrup, tahini, and vegan Worcestershire, and popping it in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, you’ll be left with a healthy side dish even meat-eaters will happily dig into.
Oh, and here’s the best part: Eggplant bacon doesn’t just taste great—it’s so much healthier, too. With 28 calories and 2.2 grams of fat per slice compared to 43 calories and 3.3 grams of fat in actual bacon, it’s the answer to all your prayers. Delicious plant-based breakfast, coming right up.
Updated from March 3, 2017 on May 17, 2019.