4.6 from 165 votes
Easy Tempeh Bacon
Quick, crispy tempeh bacon with maximum flavor thanks to tamari, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and black pepper. Just 8 ingredients required!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 (3-slice servings)
Calories: 112 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Breakfast
Cuisine:
Vegan
Ingredients
- 8 ounces tempeh (ensure gluten-free as needed)
- 1 Tbsp oil (avocado oil // if oil-free, omit or add slightly more tamari and maple syrup)
- 3 Tbsp tamari (or coconut aminos if soy-free, just use a bit more as it’s not as salty as tamari)
- 2 ½ Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 healthy pinch sea salt
- 1 ½ tsp liquid smoke
- 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper (plus more for coating)
- 1 dash cayenne (optional // omit for less heat)
Instructions
- Slice the tempeh in half widthwise (so you have 2 even squares), then thinly slice each square in thirds so you have six very thin squares (it’s easiest to do this by placing the tempeh flat on your cutting board and holding the knife horizontally for an even cut). Then slice each square into three rectangular strips. You should have ~18 pieces of tempeh (as the original recipe is written).
- In a shallow bowl, rimmed plate, or baking dish, whisk together the oil, tamari, maple syrup, salt, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne (optional). Taste and adjust flavor as needed. It should be quite salty, smoky, a little spicy, and plenty sweet (even a little too sweet, as it needs to balance the bitterness of the tempeh).
- Add the tempeh and toss to coat (using a pastry brush is helpful for fully coating). Marinate for 10-15 minutes, flipping once for even flavor dispersion.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Transfer tempeh (reserving excess marinade for brushing) to the parchment-lined baking sheet and arrange in a single layer.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven, flip, and brush generously with reserved marinade. Bake for 8-10 minutes more, or until browned and slightly crispy.
- Enjoy immediately or store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 350°F (176°C) oven or on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with avocado oil and without optional ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1three-slice serving
Calories
112
(6%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
8.2g
(16%)
Fat
4.3g
(7%)
Saturated Fat
0.7g
(4%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1.2g
Monounsaturated Fat
2.1g
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
520mg
(22%)
Potassium
165mg
(5%)
Fiber
3.3g
(13%)
Sugar
5.1g
(10%)
Vitamin A
201IU
(4%)
Vitamin C
0mg
(0%)
Calcium
28.1mg
(3%)
Iron
1.1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6(3-slice servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 112
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1three-slice serving | |
| Calories | 112 | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 8.2g | 16% |
| Fat | 4.3g | 7% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.7g | 4% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.2g | 7% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2.1g | 11% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 520mg | 22% |
| Potassium | 165mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 3.3g | 13% |
| Sugar | 5.1g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 201IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 28.1mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.