Description
This Air Fryer Carrot Bacon recipe offers a deliciously smoky and crispy plant-based alternative to traditional bacon. Using simple ingredients like liquid smoke, maple syrup, and smoked paprika, thinly shaved carrots are marinated and air fried to perfection, providing a flavorful vegan option that’s perfect for breakfast sides, sandwiches, or salad toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrot Bacon
- 2 large carrots
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of black pepper
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for air fryer basket)
Instructions
- Prepare the carrots: Peel the carrots thoroughly and using a vegetable peeler, shave them into long, thin strips that resemble slices of bacon.
- Make the marinade: In a shallow dish, combine liquid smoke, maple syrup, soy sauce (or tamari), smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until well blended.
- Marinate carrot strips: Place the carrot strips into the marinade, ensuring each strip is evenly coated. Allow them to marinate for at least 15 minutes so the flavors can infuse.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and let it preheat briefly.
- Prepare air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the carrot strips: Layout the marinated carrot strips in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook them in batches for best results.
- Air fry the carrots: Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, checking at the halfway point to avoid burning. The carrot bacon should become crispy and develop a golden brown color.
- Cool and crisp up: Remove the carrot bacon from the air fryer and place on a wire rack to cool for a few minutes, which will help them crisp up further.
- Serve: Enjoy your carrot bacon immediately as a savory breakfast side, a flavorful filling for sandwiches, or a crunchy topping for salads.
Notes
- Use a sharp vegetable peeler to get thin, even strips for the best texture.
- Marinating longer (up to 30 minutes) can intensify the smoky and savory flavors.
- Keep an eye on the strips while air frying to prevent burning as cooking times can vary by air fryer model.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat briefly in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- This recipe is vegan and gluten-free if using tamari instead of soy sauce.
