Smoky Sweet Carrot Bacon Strips

Ever wish bacon could be healthy and plant-based? Yeah, me too. That’s when I found carrot bacon—and oh wow, it changed everything.

These strips are smoky, sweet, and just the right amount of crispy. They’re so fun to make and taste kinda like the real thing. I mean, who knew carrots could do that?

I love how I can snack on these without feeling heavy. Plus, they’re perfect in sandwiches or on salads. Seriously, once you try them, you’ll get what I mean.

So, grab a few carrots, and let’s make magic. You’re gonna love this one. Trust me—it’s a keeper!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deliciously Smoky & Sweet: The blend of smoked paprika and maple syrup creates a rich, smoky flavor with a touch of sweetness that is impossible to resist.
• Crispy Texture: These strips achieve the perfect balance of crispy edges and tender centers, making every bite satisfying and full of texture.
• Easy & Quick: You can have these carrot bacon strips ready in under 40 minutes, making them perfect for busy mornings or when you want to impress guests with a new dish.
• Vegan & Gluten-Free: This recipe is plant-based and gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: Cook a big batch of these smoky sweet carrot bacon strips and store them in the fridge for use throughout the week. They’re great for adding to salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure you have the necessary tools to get started:

1. Baking Sheet: You’ll need a baking sheet to roast the carrot strips. If you have a wire rack, that can help with even crisping, but a regular baking sheet will work just fine.
2. Parchment Paper: Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper ensures easy cleanup and prevents the carrot strips from sticking.
3. Sharp Knife or Mandoline Slicer: For cutting the carrots into thin strips. A sharp knife will do, but if you want perfectly uniform strips, a mandoline slicer is a great tool to have on hand.
4. Mixing Bowl: A medium-sized bowl to mix the oil, maple syrup, and spices together.
5. Measuring Spoons: Accurate measurements for the spices and seasonings will help ensure your carrot bacon turns out perfectly.
6. Basting Brush (optional): To evenly coat the carrot strips with the marinade, but you can also use your hands if you prefer.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these smoky sweet carrot bacon strips (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

• Carrots: You’ll need fresh carrots, peeled and sliced into thin strips. Aim for strips that are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, similar to traditional bacon strips.
• Olive Oil: The oil helps give the carrots a crisp, roasted texture and brings out the flavors of the spices.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a natural sweetness that complements the savory smokiness of the paprika.
• Smoked Paprika: This is the star of the show. It gives the carrot bacon that signature smoky flavor, making it taste almost like the real thing.
• Garlic Powder: Adds savory depth to the flavor profile, balancing out the sweetness from the maple syrup.
• Onion Powder: Complements the garlic powder and enhances the overall umami flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: A mild kick of heat to elevate the savory flavors.
• Sea Salt: To bring everything together and enhance the natural flavors of the carrots and spices.
• Cayenne Pepper (optional): If you like a little extra heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper will do the trick to make the bacon strips spicy.

Variations for Smoky Sweet Carrot Bacon Strips

While this recipe is perfect as is, you can always mix it up to suit your tastes. Here are a few ideas for variations:

• Add Liquid Smoke: If you want an even stronger smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the marinade. This will amplify the smokiness and make the carrot bacon even more bacon-like.
• Sweeten It Up: If you have a sweet tooth, try adding a little extra maple syrup or even a drizzle of agave nectar for a different type of sweetness.
• Add Herbs: For a more herbal touch, try adding some dried thyme or rosemary to the spice blend for a more aromatic flavor.
• Use Coconut Oil: If you prefer coconut oil over olive oil, feel free to swap it in. It adds a light, tropical note that pairs nicely with the sweetness of the maple syrup.
• Go Spicy: If you really want a kick, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add chili flakes for an extra spicy version of carrot bacon.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that we’ve got all the ingredients and variations covered, let’s dive into the fun part – making these Smoky Sweet Carrot Bacon Strips! You’re going to love how easy and quick it is to create this crispy, smoky snack or meal addition. Here’s how to do it:

1. Preheat Your Oven

First things first, we need to preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). A high temperature ensures the carrots get that crispy, bacon-like texture that we’re aiming for. This is the magic that transforms humble carrots into crispy, smoky strips of plant-based goodness.

2. Prepare the Carrots

While the oven is heating up, it’s time to prep the carrots. Take your fresh carrots and peel them to remove any rough skin. Next, slice them into thin strips, roughly the size of traditional bacon. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer to achieve uniform strips. The thinner the slices, the crispier they’ll get, so aim for about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

If your carrot strips are uneven, that’s okay – some might crisp up more than others, which just adds variety to the final dish! But the more even your strips, the better the end result.

3. Make the Marinade

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the following ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil: This helps coat the carrots and contributes to their crispiness.
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup: The maple syrup adds sweetness and caramelizes slightly in the oven, creating a lovely glaze.
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika: This is the ingredient that brings the essential smoky flavor to the dish.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder: For savory depth and richness.
• 1 teaspoon onion powder: This complements the garlic and enhances the smoky flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: For a mild kick.
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt: To bring out the flavors.
• A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional): For those who like a bit of spice in their bacon strips.

Use a whisk or a spoon to mix everything together until well combined. The marinade should be smooth and slightly thick, perfect for coating the carrot strips.

4. Coat the Carrot Strips

Now, take the carrot strips and add them to the bowl with the marinade. Use your hands or a basting brush to coat each strip thoroughly. Make sure each carrot strip is covered with the marinade for maximum flavor. If you’re using your hands, I recommend gently massaging the marinade into the carrots, so they’re all evenly coated.

Once all the strips are covered, you’re ready to move on to the next step. If you have time, you can even let the carrots sit in the marinade for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to soak in a bit more, but this step is optional.

5. Arrange the Carrots on a Baking Sheet

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and helps the carrot bacon crisp up without sticking.

Next, arrange the carrot strips in a single layer on the baking sheet. Try not to overcrowd them. If the strips are too close together, they might steam rather than crisp up. If you don’t have enough space on one baking sheet, use a second one – it’s important that each strip has enough room to roast evenly.

6. Bake the Carrot Bacon Strips

Now it’s time to pop the baking sheet in the oven! Bake the carrot bacon strips for about 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them as they cook, and make sure to flip them halfway through the baking time. The flipping step is important to ensure the strips cook evenly on both sides and get that golden, crispy texture.

At the 15-minute mark, check the strips. Depending on your oven, some may be done earlier than others, and that’s okay! Once they’re a beautiful golden brown and crispy around the edges, they’re ready to come out.

7. Let the Bacon Cool & Crisp Up

Once the carrot strips are finished baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. As they cool, they’ll become even crispier, which is exactly what you want.

Take a bite after a couple of minutes, and you’ll notice that the texture is crispy and slightly chewy – just like bacon! The flavors will have melded together to create a smoky, sweet, and savory combination that’s just irresistible.

8. Serve & Enjoy

These smoky sweet carrot bacon strips are delicious on their own, but they’re also perfect in a variety of dishes! Here are a few ideas for how to enjoy them:

• On Avocado Toast: Layer them on top of mashed avocado on a slice of toasted sourdough for a savory breakfast or snack.
• In Salads: Use them as a topping for a salad to add some extra flavor and crunch. They go great with mixed greens, arugula, and even a simple Caesar salad.
• In Wraps & Sandwiches: Add a few strips to your wraps, sandwiches, or burgers for a smoky flavor that mimics bacon. They’re especially great in vegan BLTs or breakfast burritos!
• As a Snack: Serve them as a healthy, plant-based snack. You won’t be able to stop at just one!
• Tacos or Burritos: Use the carrot bacon as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. The smokiness pairs wonderfully with fresh cilantro, avocado, and a squeeze of lime.

How to Store Leftover Carrot Bacon Strips

If you have any leftover carrot bacon strips (which is a good problem to have), storing them properly ensures that they stay crispy and delicious for the next time you’re craving a bite.

Storing in the Fridge:

1. Cool Completely: Allow the carrot bacon strips to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent them from becoming soggy when they’re stored.
2. Airtight Container: Place the carrot bacon in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag. To help keep them crispy, you can place a layer of paper towels between the strips to absorb any moisture.
3. Refrigerate: Keep the container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Freezing (Optional):

If you want to make a large batch and freeze the strips for later, you can:

1. Cool Completely: Just like with refrigerating, allow the carrot bacon strips to cool completely.
2. Lay Out on a Tray: Place the carrot bacon strips in a single layer on a baking tray and freeze them until solid. This prevents them from sticking together.
3. Store in a Freezer Bag or Container: Once frozen, transfer the strips to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat Carrot Bacon Strips

Reheating carrot bacon strips can be a bit tricky since we want to keep that crispiness. Here are a few methods to try:

Oven Method (Recommended):

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the carrot bacon strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Bake for 5-8 minutes until the strips are warmed through and crispy again. You may need to flip them halfway through.

Skillet Method:

If you don’t want to heat up the oven, you can reheat the carrot bacon in a skillet:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the carrot bacon strips and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they’re crispy and warmed through.
3. Be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

Microwave (Not Ideal for Crispiness):

If you’re in a rush, the microwave is the fastest option, but the strips won’t be as crispy:

1. Place the carrot bacon strips on a microwave-safe plate.
2. Heat on high for 20-30 seconds until warmed through.
3. Note: The microwave may soften the texture, so you might want to give them a quick reheat in a hot skillet afterward to crisp them up again.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: ~1 medium carrot (about 8 strips)
Servings Per Recipe: ~2

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	70
Total Fat	3.5g
└ Saturated Fat	0.5g
Cholesterol	0mg
Sodium	180mg
Total Carbohydrate	9g
└ Dietary Fiber	2g
└ Sugars	5g
Protein	1g
Vitamin A	110% DV
Vitamin C	4% DV
Calcium	2% DV
Iron	2% DV

Conclusion:

There you have it – a simple, delicious recipe for smoky sweet carrot bacon strips that you can enjoy on their own or as part of a larger meal. These strips are a game-changer for plant-based eaters or anyone looking to reduce their meat consumption without sacrificing flavor. The smoky, sweet, and savory combination is unbeatable, and you’ll find yourself reaching for them over and over again.

I hope you enjoy making these carrot bacon strips as much as I do! Don’t forget to store them for later, or even double the recipe if you’re feeding a crowd. You can use them in so many dishes – the possibilities are endless!