Bacon is good.
And a huge part of why I didn’t make it as a vegetarian.
Long ago Heather hipped me to the fact that Bacon Bits are vegan… but I have never cared for them. They taste like what I imagine dog food to be.
When Kat posted a recipe for vegan TVP Bacon Bits, I couldn’t WAIT to try my own recipe. Since I can’t have bacon this close to my competition (too much fat and sodium), this was the perfect time to make my own bits! I took Kat’s idea to use nutritional yeast and cumin, but I cut the sodium, sugar, and the oil. That does NOT mean I cut the taste though!
These smokey, spicy little bites are crunchy and packed with flavor. For the longest time I had only regular paprika in my cabinet… let me be the first to admit that was WRONG. Smoked paprika is the way to go. It makes a massive difference; I was shocked at the amount of smoke it lends to dishes.
I used stevia for a hint of sweetness and I added maple extract because… who doesn’t like maple bacon? I also like my bacon peppered, so that went into this mix as well.
In case none of this is strange to you, I created a #strangebutgood breakfast salad using these Smoked TVP Bacon Bits. It’s a simple mix of heirloom tomato, pear, cilantro…. and raspberries. Don’t be scared – tomatoes pair really well with fruit! The coolness of the fruit and the smokey, slightly spicy Bits are a fantastic contrast party in your mouth.
Eaten with cinnamon oatmeal and turkey “sausages” (that recipe is coming next week).
Smoked TVP Bacon Bits
- 1/4 C Texturized Vegetable Protein (TVP)
- 1/4 C hot water
- 1 T nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp maple extract
- 5-6 drops liquid smoke
- 3-4 drops liquid Stevia
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Stir the TVP into the water and allow to soak. Meanwhile, mix the dry ingredients together in a small bowl.
Once TVP has (mostly) absorbed the water, stir in the dry ingredients and add extract, smoke, and sweetener.
Squeeze out excess moisture and spread mixture across a lined baking sheet. This is important – you need to really spread it out so that moisture doesn’t gather.
Place in oven and bake for 20 mins, stirring half way through. When crispy and golden, remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week?
The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends!
Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.
Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂
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This time next week I’ll be with my trainer on the road to my 2nd figure competition to check in and get spray tanned!!!
Do you like bacon bits?
What one thing would you find most difficult to cut out of your diet? Healthy fats are the hardest for me right now!
Genius! And I heart that they’re vegan. These look pretty awesome, I don’t like bacon at all, but I’m guessing since they’re made with TVP they don’t actually taste like bacon. Oh, I can imagine them being great on salads!
You could make them any flavor – they are great little crunchy additions to salads and the like. 🙂
I never cared for bacon but this recipe looks amazing! I need to find some liquid smoke.
I could never live without bread. Hearty, dense whole grain bread. I’m lucky to live in a country where you can find awesome, affordable bread in every grocery store.
Europeans have the BEST bread!
I can’t believe I totally forgot about Kat’s recipe! But seriously, you had me at smoked paprika!! Gah, I remember the first time I tried it…I threw my regular paprika out and haven’t looked back since! 😉
Interesting combo with the tomatoes and raspberries. I’ve done tomatoes with cinnamon and tomatoes with peanut butter, but never with fruit! Hmm…
Aren’t you proud of me?! I linked up WITH a recipe for the first time in a MONTH! 😯
Have you dont tmaotoes and watermelon? That’s reallllly good too.
Super proud. You are rocking it out lately – workout out, recipes, and a WORK! So glad you’re on the mend. 🙂
I’m a big fan of [turkey] bacon, extra crispy please 😉 But I’ve never tried TVP… Tomatoes and melon with feta and a dash of freshly ground pepper is one of my favorite tomato salad combos!
That’s one of my favoites too! With some feta and basil or cotija and cilantro. Mmmmm…
That’s not #strangebutgood! That’s just genius! Gotta try this!
this is freaking awesome, I can’t begin to describe how much I love bacon bits so I bet these are so tasty
I cannot tell you how much I love TVP now! Thanks for the intro! I’ll definitely have to try this out – looks like the perfect soup/salad topper!
That makes me so happy! I’m thinking a tomato soup topper? With grilled cheese, of course. 😉
I love DIY subs! Love smoked paprika!
I practically jumped up and made my own bacon bits as soon as I read her post. Of course, I think I was at school/work and that was what prevented me. I LOVE(D) peppery bacon, dipped in maple syrup, and was totally thinking smoked paprika needed to be added to the mix. [Thanks for taking the work out of me actually having to make up my own recipe. Even though I might anyway.]
I just had a super success with TVP sausage crumbles…man, they are good.
Sarah, I KNOW you will make up your own anyway. It’s part of your charm. I bet it would be good on a certain mojito dish…
Mmm… I used to not be a big bacon fan but had to have some while at my parents the last few days, and it was amazing. Love the tvp bits!! Must try those. Stay strong in these final days (I know you will)!
Egg Whites and Oatmeal!!!
Your recipe sounds tasty to me!
I haven’t had bacon bits in forevs!
Gah! I miss eggs!!!
Mmmm, did someone say bacon??? Happy Friday Girl!
gah… tvp.. ENVY! I need a soy free version. boo hiss.
Hmmmm… lentils?!
These look absolutely delicious. I’ve been looking for some new ways to incorporate TVP into my food.
Thank you! Please let me know how you like it!
I guess I need to go buy tvp again. Actually, that’s what I need on my trip! And I’m that weirdo who never liked bacon. I do, however, like tempeh bacon. Totally not the same I know.
It would be perfect travel food!!!
Tempeh bacon rocks.
Genious!!! They sound delicious. I so much love the smoked/savory/sweet combo. Not stranged for me at all 🙂
I always pair my scrambled eggs with strawberries and cinnamon and top them with almond butter and cacao coconut butter bliss – as said – BLISS and #strangebutgood. Swizzy’s are so stubborn in their habits, it takes a lot to convince them. But I keep bothering them with strangebutgood things, I am even more stubborn 🙂
That sounds sort of like my PB & Jeggs! Try it with carrots or zucchini too – so #strangebutgood!
Wow never in a million years would i think TVP could produce faux bacon bits- impressive!! And a diet with no avocado or peanut butter- crazy talk!
I think that it would be very hard to cut out eggs from my diet. I eat a lot of them. As far as bacon, I’m a freak who never liked it. I know, I know!
I marvel at your ingenuity, Laura! Never a fan of bacon bits but these are really tempting. 🙂
I swear – these are MUCH better than the fake-o bits. 🙂
I SO need to try making these!! You are right, bacon bits are just NOT good!! 😉
Let me know if you do!!! I just ate more for breakfast. 🙂
totally making these. then making a HUGE batch of caramelized onion bacon dip. then coming up with a reason to have a party. bacon = party.
OMG – that sounds soooo good! Bacon party in Portland! I’m crashing.
I’m not actually crazy about bacon bits, but as always, I’m super impressed with your creativity in the kitchen. And I’m pretty sure I’d never be able to give up Greek yogurt. It’s what dragged me out of being vegan and my love for it is kind of borderline ridiculous.
You could make them any flavor… I’m thinking some sort of vanilla sprinkle-like version to top Greek?!
I love that I had a bacon recipe fail this week using real bacon, while you had a recipe win with fake bacon! Hilarious! It does look awesome too, might have to make these soon.
I like bacon but those fake bacon bit things they have are horrible! I still haven’t tried TVP but you make it sound so interesting with your recipes.
Please let me know if/when you do try TVP! 🙂
Um – YES please! These sound amazing. I’m have plans for these floating around in my head now…and may become part of my cabbage creation. 🙂 And YEA that you only have one more week before your competition – so exciting!!!!!!
I always see my bro savouring bacon so this delicious bite recipe will be such a change 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
LOL! I wonder if he’d like it??
These look good! I wonder if you could use the same seasonings but with lentils… since I can’t do soy. 🙁 I’m so excited for your competition!!! 1 week!!!!
I think that’s a great idea!!
Love that you still find flavor no matter what & people can learn from that big time!!! They don’t need tons of calories & fat for flavor! 🙂 Saying that, I am one of the few who does not care if I eat bacon… 🙂 Not a fan… I know!
Smoked paprika for the win! My mum doesn’t even know what she’s missing out on seeing as I’ve stolen, no, borrowed 😉 – her as of then unopened bag of it. It’s one my favourite spices and I’m using it in just about every savoury dish.
Even though I’ve never had “real” bacon bits before I had to try your recipe right today. I’ll report back once I’ve tried it in/on a dish as I prepared it after lunch so didn’t get a chance yet. Thanks for the fun idea to use TVP!
Haha – I “borrow” stuff from my mom all the time. 🙂
What did you think of the bits?
Ha! You know I love this, seeing as bar the maple, stevia, and smoke, this is what I frequently flavour my lunchtime tvp creations with. Smoked paprika FTW.
You could totally put this in a chocolate bar… 🙂
This sounds just wonderful, Laura! I need to give them a try and thanks for sharing them!
Yes another TVP recipe. You were the one who inspired me to actually purchase a thing of it. Surprisingly, Joshua actually enjoyed it in chili I made one night.
That is so awesome!! I’m really glad you guys are enjoying it.
You are sheer genius. Freaking genius.
I am intrigued! Love me some bacon. I used to dip bacon in maple syrup when I was little ahah
We used to cook it in the over with maple syrup or braown sugar and cayenne to make “pig candy.” Soooo good!
Made a batch of these the other day and my husband loves them! He is eating a fat-free vegan diet for his heart and also watching his salt so these were a real treat. I followed the recipe exactly except did not add the maple flavor or Stevia, wanting a more savory taste. The only problem I had was with my oven, which does not regulate temperature at all. So mine were crispy within 8 minutes! Going with a little less heat next time. But thanks for the great idea!
I’m so glad you like them! Thanks so much for letting me know. Good luck with that oven! 🙂