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This is not the first time banana peel recipes have trended on our timelines. Remember when Nigella Lawson mixed her banana peels with cauliflower and chef Nadiya Hussain suggested turning them into a substitute for pulled pork or chicken? Turns out banana peels can also be used to make vegan bacon! The idea of using banana peels for bacon might seem unusual at first, but they can be transformed into a delicious, crispy alternative that mimics the savoury and smoky flavours of traditional bacon.
Charles Hunter III was inspired by TikTok star Tabitha Brown’s attempt to make bacon out of banana. Hunter however did certain things differently. He ditched the air fryer altogether. Instead, he marinated the peels with Liquid Smoke and smoked paprika, to infuse them with that strong bacon-y flavour.
Some of his iterations on TikTok also encourage soaking the peels in seasoning for a few hours. “It’s definitely better in something rather than something you’d eat straight out of the skillet,” he says about this version of vegan bacon. The chef has used them in BLTs, salads and in wraps. However, if you want to try vegan bacon made out of banana, there’s an easy way to do it.
Ingredients
Banana Peels: 4-6 ripe but not overly ripe bananas. Use organic bananas if possible, as the peels are the main ingredient.
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free option)
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or another sweetener like agave)
1 tablespoon olive oil (or another neutral oil)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (for a smoky flavor)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
A pinch of black pepper
Preparation
Start by thoroughly washing the bananas to remove any pesticides or dirt from the peels. This is especially important if you're not using organic bananas. Peel the bananas and set the fruit aside for another use (like smoothies or baking).
Using a spoon or a knife, gently scrape off the inner white flesh from the peels. This step helps reduce any bitterness and makes the texture more pleasant. Cut the banana peels into strips, roughly 1-2 inches wide, depending on your preference.
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and liquid smoke. Mix well to create a smooth marinade.
Taste the marinade and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more sweetness, smokiness, or saltiness according to your preference.
Place the banana peel strips in the marinade, ensuring they are fully submerged. You can use a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag. Let the peels marinate for at least 30 minutes, but longer is better. Marinating for a few hours or even overnight in the refrigerator will intensify the flavour.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat a skillet over medium-high heat if you prefer pan-frying. If baking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Arrange the marinated banana peels on the sheet in a single layer.
Bake for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the banana peels are crispy and slightly browned. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
If pan-frying, heat a small amount of oil in the skillet and cook the peels for a few minutes on each side until crispy and caramelized.
Once cooked, remove the banana peel bacon from the oven or skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately while still warm and crispy. The vegan bacon can be enjoyed in sandwiches, salads, as a topping for avocado toast, or on its own as a snack.
