Making Bacon from Carrots?
Making BACON from CARROTS?! is a medium American recipe that serves 2. 175 calories per serving. Recipe by Edgy Veg on YouTube.
Prep: 45 min | Cook: 15 min | Total: 1 hr 10 min
Cost: $1.20 total, $0.60 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 large Carrots (peeled and shaved into thin strips)
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (use gluten‑free if needed)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (extra virgin recommended)
- 1 tablespoon Maple Syrup (pure maple for best flavor)
- 1 tablespoon Tahini (smooth, stir before measuring)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (adds smoky flavor)
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper (freshly ground preferred)
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Liquid Smoke (adjust to taste; start low)
- ¼ teaspoon Salt (optional, for extra crispness after marinating)
Instructions
Peel and Shave Carrots
Use the sheet peeler to shave the carrots into thin, bacon‑like strips about 1/8‑inch thick. Discard the ends and set the shavings aside in a bowl.
Time: PT5M
Prepare the Marinade
In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, olive oil, maple syrup, tahini, smoked paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, and liquid smoke. Whisk or blend until smooth.
Time: PT5M
Marinate the Carrot Strips
Add the carrot shavings to the bowl, toss to coat evenly, then transfer to a clean bowl or zip‑top bag. Let sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Time: PT30M
Preheat Air Fryer
Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: 380°F
Air Fry First Batch
Arrange a single layer of marinated carrot strips in the air fryer basket. Cook for 6 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through.
Time: PT6M
Temperature: 380°F
Air Fry Remaining Batches
Repeat the process with the remaining carrot strips, keeping an eye on color. Adjust time by ±1 minute if needed.
Time: PT6M
Temperature: 380°F
Cool and Serve
Transfer the cooked carrot bacon to a plate and let cool for 5 minutes; it will crisp up further as it cools. Serve in sandwiches, salads, or as a snack.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 175
- Protein
- 3 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
Dietary info: Vegan, Gluten-Free (use gluten‑free soy sauce), Dairy-Free, Nut-Free
Allergens: Soy, Sesame
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Soy Sauce: Tamari, Coconut aminos
- Instead of Olive Oil: Avocado oil, Canola oil
- Instead of Maple Syrup: Agave nectar, Brown rice syrup
- Instead of Tahini: Sunflower seed butter, Almond butter (for non‑sesame allergy)
- Instead of Smoked Paprika: Regular paprika + a drop of liquid smoke, Chipotle powder (less sweet)
- Instead of Black Pepper: White pepper
- Instead of Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic (use less), Garlic granules
- Instead of Liquid Smoke: Smoked salt, Additional smoked paprika
- Instead of Salt: Sea salt, Kosher salt
Equipment Needed
- Skinny Vegetable Peeler (optional)
- Sheet Vegetable Peeler
- Mixing Bowl
- Hand Blender or Whisk
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
- Plate or Tray
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Shaving carrots to uniform thin strips
- Ensuring the carrot strips are fully coated and marinated for at least 30 minutes
- Cooking at the correct temperature and time to avoid soggy or burnt strips
Chef Tips from the Video
- Add a pinch of sea salt just before air frying to draw out extra moisture for a crisper bite.
- For extra smokiness, increase smoked paprika by ½ teaspoon and reduce liquid smoke.
- If you prefer a chewier texture, cut the carrot strips slightly thicker (about 1/4 inch).
Troubleshooting
Carrot bacon is soggy after cooking.
Pat the strips dry after marinating, reduce the air‑fryer temperature to 350°F, and extend cooking time by 2‑3 minutes.
Strips are burnt on the edges.
Lower the temperature to 350°F and check after 4 minutes; flip more frequently.
Flavor is too salty.
Reduce soy sauce to 1 tablespoon and add a splash of water to the marinade.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Re‑crisp in the air fryer for 2‑3 minutes before serving.
Freezer: Not recommended; freezing changes texture.
Room temperature: Do not leave out longer than 2 hours for food safety.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Marinate the carrot strips overnight for deeper flavor.
- After cooking, keep the bacon in a single layer on a wire rack; reheat in the air fryer for a quick crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of carrot bacon in vegan cuisine?
Carrot bacon is part of the modern plant‑based movement, offering a vegetable‑based alternative to traditional pork bacon. It reflects a growing trend to recreate familiar comfort foods using sustainable, health‑focused ingredients.
How does carrot bacon fit into the broader American vegan cuisine tradition?
In American vegan cooking, carrot bacon provides the smoky, salty crunch that many people miss from meat‑based dishes. It’s often used in vegan BLTs, salads, and breakfast plates, showcasing how classic American flavors can be achieved without animal products.
What traditional ingredients are used in authentic carrot bacon versus acceptable substitutes?
The core ingredients are carrots, soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke. Substitutes include tamari for soy sauce, agave nectar for maple syrup, and smoked salt instead of liquid smoke, allowing flexibility for dietary restrictions.
What occasions or celebrations is carrot bacon traditionally associated with in vegan culture?
Carrot bacon is popular at brunches, holiday breakfasts, and vegan holiday feasts where a familiar bacon flavor is desired without meat. It’s also a favorite for casual snack gatherings and vegan potlucks.
What other American vegan dishes pair well with carrot bacon?
Carrot bacon pairs beautifully with vegan avocado toast, tofu scramble, kale salads, and vegan mac & cheese. Its smoky crunch also complements grain bowls and veggie‑packed sandwiches.
What makes carrot bacon special or unique in vegan cuisine?
Unlike rice‑paper or tempeh bacon, carrot bacon provides natural sweetness, a bright orange color, and a subtle earthy flavor while still delivering the salty‑smoky profile of traditional bacon, making it both nutritious and visually appealing.
How has carrot bacon evolved over time in vegan cooking?
Early versions used simple soy‑maple glazes and oven baking. Recent adaptations, like Edgy Veg’s, incorporate tahini for richness and air‑fryer technology for a crispier texture, reflecting advances in both ingredient creativity and kitchen gadgets.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making carrot bacon?
Common errors include cutting the carrots too thick, not marinating long enough, overcrowding the air‑fryer basket, and cooking at too high a temperature which can burn the strips before they crisp.
Why does this carrot bacon recipe use an air fryer instead of a traditional oven?
The air fryer circulates hot air rapidly, creating a uniform crispness with less oil and a shorter cooking time compared to a conventional oven, which helps preserve the carrot’s natural sweetness while achieving a bacon‑like snap.
What does the YouTube channel Edgy Veg specialize in?
The YouTube channel Edgy Veg, hosted by Candace, specializes in creative vegan recipes that transform familiar comfort foods into plant‑based versions, often adding bold flavors and modern cooking techniques.
How does the YouTube channel Edgy Veg's approach to vegan cooking differ from other vegan cooking channels?
Edgy Veg focuses on bold, flavor‑forward reinterpretations of classic dishes, using unconventional ingredients like carrot bacon, and often incorporates quick, appliance‑friendly methods such as air frying, setting it apart from channels that emphasize whole‑food or raw vegan recipes.
Last updated: September 2, 2026
