Yes, you read that right, this is banana peel bacon. A vegan bacon recipe made from the banana peels that you would otherwise toss away. Am I crazy? Maybe a little. Does it taste good? Yes, it does. It really, really does!
There has been a recent trend of making a vegan pulled pork type sandwich using banana peels, but for the most part, people have had bad experiences with it, saying that it actually tasted awful. But I didn't let that get me down. I was more intrigued by the idea of making banana peel bacon than the pulled pork (but let me know if you want me to give the pulled pork a try too). It took several experiments, but then the magic happened. Let me tell you, the results are good. Like actually really good. Like addictively yummy good.
The banana peel bacon is crispy, chewy, and a bit greasy just like traditional bacon. A bit thinner than traditional bacon, the flavour is smoky, salty, slightly sweet, and has a subtle hint of banana taste which is actually quite delicious. I'm not the only crazy one who liked it, my partner Adam and my dog Chickpea were both crazy about it too!
Banana peel bacon would be delicious alongside a vegan fried egg, tofu scramble, on a sandwich, chopped and served on a salad, or to top a pasta dish!
To make banana peel bacon:
The number one most important step is to use bananas that are very ripe. Stay far away from green bananas, the bacon will taste terrible. The riper the banana the better the flavour so pick bananas that are yellow with lots of brown spots.
To prepare the banana peels, remove the peels from the bananas and tear into about 4 strips per banana. Use a spoon to lightly scrape off the white inside part of the banana peel leaving just the peel.
Make the marinade by mixing the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and garlic powder together in a dish that will fit your banana peels.
Add the banana peels and toss to coat. Let marinade for a minimum of 10 minutes, but as long as a few hours.
You will likely have leftover marinade. Feel free to make more banana peel bacon or to save the marinade for a few days in a container in the fridge to use again later.
When ready to cook the bacon, heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. When hot add the peels and fry a couple of minutes per side until they are golden and bubble up a little. It may get a little smoky as the sugars will burn so make sure to turn on your hood fan. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel. They should get crispier as they cool.
Now if you want to use up those bananas you just peeled, try more of my vegan recipes such as my banana milk, banana nut muffins, banana bread oatmeal, healthy breakfast cookies, banana coconut French toast, or any of my dessert flavoured smoothies.
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
(click stars to vote)
Banana Peel Bacon
Servings: strips
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Ingredients
- 2 very ripe banana peels,, (from 2 bananas, see instructions)*
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon light oil, (or more if needed)
Instructions
- The number one most important step is to use bananas that are very ripe. Stay far away from green bananas, the bacon will taste terrible. The riper the banana the better the flavour so pick bananas that are yellow with lots of brown spots. To prepare the banana peels: remove the peels from the bananas and tear into about 4 strips per banana. Use a spoon to lightly scrape off the white inside part of the banana peel leaving just the peel.
- Make the marinade by mixing the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and garlic powder together in a dish that will fit your banana peels. Add the banana peels and toss to coat. Let marinade for a minimum of 10 minutes, but as long as a few hours.
- When ready to cook the bacon, heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. When hot add the peels and fry a couple of minutes per side, until they are golden and bubble up a little. It may get a little smoky as the sugars will burn so make sure to turn on your hood fan. Remove from pan and drain on paper towel. They should get crispier as they cool.
Notes
Nutrition
Fernand says
Good enough to try again This time i will follow your recipe When i told my friends that i was eating banane peels !!!! will not say what they said
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Glad you enjoyed!!
Sarah says
I had one very ripe banana and tried this. I had heard it was good from someone a couple of years ago so I thought I'd give it a try. I was actually telling my son beforehand that monkeys eat the whole banana peel and all. Which reminded me of the banana peel bacon. This recipe popped up. I served it to 2 of my teens. I think I fried it a little too much but wanted to make sure it was crisp for them Instead of soggy. It was good and I would fix it again and cook it less. It didn't taste like bacon either but overall I like that you can eat the peels and not waste them.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Yes! Waste not, want not!
aleks says
it's honestly ground-breaking, everyone i've told about it seemed sceptical at first and then tried and loved it!
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
We love to hear that you're spreading the good word!
Andrew Dabrowski says
Why is it necessary to scrape off the "white inside part"?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Andrew, because that part is quite bitter and mushy so it will stop your bacon from getting the correct crispy texture and savory taste. I hope that helps!
Andrew Dabrowski says
Thanks. Any use for the mushy part?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I don't think so! There really isn't much (probably only a few teaspoons from 1 banana). I suppose you could add it to a smoothie but note that it would add a bitter taste.
Camas Camas Baugh says
you can use the white part for a face mask
JOAN says
And I believe the inside banana peel is often used to polish leather shoes.
celine says
can we make it on the barbecue or in the oven under the grill? I didn't try it yet but love the idea so I put 5 stars!
Camas Camas Baugh says
Has anyone tried this with frozen peels? I have a TON of frozen, unpeeled bananas...
Lisa says
would love your pulled pork recipe. mom is vegan always looking for new things to make things for her
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
I haven't tested it, but my guess is that it would be too delicate to make on on a barbecue. And I am guessing it would burn too easily under the grill. I hope that helps!
Carrie Ann Ruiz says
DOGS ARE NOT SUPOSE TO EAT GARLIC IT CAN BE TOXIC!
Other than the garlic I want to try this recipe.
Rico Micallef says
It is good- it doesn't taste like bacon that is why I only gave it 4 stars so not consistent with the name, but it is good. It did not taste like banana nor bacon, but I liked it and will make it again! I recently discovered you can eat banana peel, so I am intrigued and trying different ways to eat the peel.
Jess @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for giving it a try!
Jessica Starks says
Hay Sam Turnball/ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken I've had the plant based Banana peel bacon, and it taste exactly like bacon!! When I first tried it my mind was blown away at how it taste exactly like real bacon. I've made it a little over a dozen times already lol. You were right about having more Maranian and making more. Thanks again for great doable recipes.
Ang. says
Perfect first time! No issues for me such as some of the comments. Scraped the organic and washed peel and blotted on paper towell, then fry at a medium low and flip time to time until medium brown. Then on to paper towell and they do crisp up well!!
A new favorite bacon method! Thanks Sam!!
Bridget says
Some pieces tasted too much like banana, which I don’t want in my bacon, others just not tasty. The texture of chewing through a banana peel was off putting. I’ll stick with thinly sliced tofu bacon.
Tina says
Just curious if these have to be eaten immediately or if they keep in the fridge. I’m thinking it would be nice to have some on hand for blt’s through the week. Has anyone tried keeping them?