Eggplant “Bacon”

This eggplant version of bacon is a fun snack and tasty side dish to fill into hamburgers. It’s eggplant cut into thin strips, brushed all over with a mixture of olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, paprika, and liquid smoke, then baked until cooked through and beginning to get crisp. Coming out flavorful, this bacon will keep you satisfied. Ready to give it a try?

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Eggplant “Bacon”

Recipe by Bell BrittanyCourse: Sides, SnacksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8-10

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

50

minutes

Total time

1

hour 

If you are finding something good yet incredibly easy to make with eggplants, this eggplant bacon is right up your street.

Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant

• 2 tbsp. soy sauce

• 1 tsp. maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp. Liquid Smoke

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Prepare 2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
• Cut eggplant in quarters, lengthwise. Slice each quarter into long, thin strips.
• Add olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, paprika, and liquid smoke to a small bowl, whisk to combine.
• Transfer onto baking sheets and brush both sides with sauce. Season with pepper.
• Bake until eggplant is cooked through and beginning to get crisp, 45-50 minutes.

Recipe Video

Notes

Eggplant “Bacon” is a baked vegetable side or snack made by slicing eggplant into thin strips and coating it with a savory, smoky mixture. Olive oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and liquid smoke are brushed onto the eggplant before baking, giving the strips a deep color and concentrated flavor as they cook. The low oven temperature allows the eggplant to dry out gradually while still cooking through.

This recipe works because eggplant readily absorbs seasoning and releases moisture slowly in the oven. Thin slices ensure even cooking, while the combination of salty, smoky, and slightly sweet ingredients helps mimic the flavor profile the recipe is aiming for. Baking until the strips are just starting to crisp keeps them chewy with lightly crisp edges rather than brittle.

This dish is well suited for everyday cooking since it uses a short ingredient list and simple preparation. It works as a side dish, sandwich filling, or snack. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven to restore some texture. The seasoning blend can be adjusted slightly, but keeping the balance of oil, salt, and smoke is key to the final result.

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a55771/eggplant-bacon-recipe/