Satisfy your cravings with these easy vegan bacon bits! They’re smoky. They’re sweet. They’re spicy. And they literally take 2 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to bake. Enjoy on baked potatoes, salads, and straight into your mouth.
Preheat oven to 400° F (204° C). Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients and stir, until pecans are evenly coated with liquid and seasonings. If you want them to marinate in the sauce, let stand for 10-20 minutes. Otherwise, spread pecans on baking sheet.
Pop in the oven and bake for about 5 minutes, or until the pecans start to sizzle and slightly brown. You'll know they are done when the maple syrup has caramelized and they become sticky! These are easy to overcook, so just keep a watchful eye. When finished, remove from oven and transfer back to small bowl. Serve over a baked potato, on top of potato soup, or as a healthy snack.
Notes
Make these bits soy-free by omitting the tamari sauce, OR using coconut aminos instead.
Increase the spice level by upping the cayenne pepper to ½ teaspoon.
Want them sweeter for desserts? Up the maple syrup to 2 tablespoons and omit the tamari sauce.
These vegan bacon bits will keep up to two weeks stored in the fridge in an airtight container.