If you’re concerned about eating bacon, have you ever thought about sweet potato bacon?
The other day while cooking up some leftover sweet potatoes, we just happened to notice…Sweet potato chips look a lot like bacon, don’t they? So we put them out on the table, announced, “Come get some bacon!” and within seconds the sweet potatoes were all gone.
Now we’re not saying we could ever truly pass them off as bacon. But in a way, these sweet potatoes provide just what eggs (even vegan eggs) cry out for – something salty and crunchy to stand up next to them. And they might occasionally serve as a reasonable substitute. So give it a try and see if at least once a week you can drum up some interest in a potato-based substitute for bacon. Who knows, you could start a whole new trend.
Sweet Potato Bacon
Sweet Potato Bacon
Thinly sliced sweet potatoes fried up to make a reasonable stand-in for bacon.
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes, coarsely peeled
- 1/2 cup peanut oil
- salt and paprika to taste (smoked paprika if possible)
Instructions
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Slice the sweet potatoes in a food processor or mandoline so that they are approximately 1/16 inch thick. Spread them out on a paper towel and let them dry for about 30 minutes.
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the peanut oil and heat to 350 degrees (the potato slices should sizzle when you drop them in). Fry potato slices in small batches, flipping them after they turn golden brown on the bottom. (This should take approximately 30 to 45 seconds per side). Remove the potato chips and place them on a paper towel to absorb the oil.
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When all of the chips are cooked, pour them into a large paper bag. Sprinkle with salt and paprika and shake in the bag until evenly mixed. Serve immediately, preferably with eggs and toast.
After all, if you’re going to fry anything up in the morning, wouldn’t you rather be frying sweet potatoes?
P.S. If you’re looking for another bacon alternative, try one of our favorites. Watermelon Bacon is dehydrated spiced watermelon that hits all of the right flavor notes.
P.P.S. If you just want colored potato chips, try our favorite Purple Potato Chips.
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This sweet potato “bacon” is a crispy and tasty vegan replacement for bacon.
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Hi! I'm Jeanne Fratello - a writer, reporter, and food enthusiast who is on a mission to write great stories about food and where your food comes from.
Although I’m a huge fan of bacon, I love this idea for a healthier alternative! I’m sharing your post on my Healthy Food Examiner Facebook page.
Thanks, Deb! And yes – notice how I didn’t recommend cutting bacon out of your diet entirely – That would be a tough sell in my house!
What a fun idea!
This sounds like a yum idea, I also like to maranate strips of tempeh or fim toufu for healthy bacon alternative – also really good.
That sounds great too – Thanks for the idea!
sounds yummy! Do you have a peanut oil alternative to recommend for those who are allergic?
Thanks for asking, Kelly – I just got this question by email as well. Canola oil would be a good substitute because it is another oil (like peanut oil) that works well for deep-frying. If you can find it, almond oil or avocado oil would work well too!