Coconut lends its toasty, buttery rich flavor and super crunchy texture to this quick, easy, bacon-esque snack. 
Coconut Bacon. Bacon Coconut? Just to be clear: this is coconut that tastes like crispy, salty, sweet, smoky bacon. There’s no pork involved. Coconut gets mixed up with some super sneaky bacon flavors like liquid smoke, maple syrup, soy sauce, black pepper, and paprika. Then, this bacon-y coconut gets the granola treatment; cooked low and slow with no stirring whatsoever. The end result is big clusters of toasted coconut that smell and taste a whole heck of a lot like bacon. 
How would you enjoy this unusual vegan snack? I’m so glad you asked! These Maple Bacon Coconut Clusters are great by the handful, but they would also be wonderful:
on top of a salad,
smashed into a (Coconut)BLT sandwich,
mixed in with your favorite trail mix,
sprinkled on top of oatmeal,
swirled into ice cream,
and crumbled into a baked potato.
Not only is this snack the perfect balance of salty-sweet-crunchy-addictive, it’s filled with the nutritional power of coconut. Coconut is full of easily digestible fat, fiber, and protein, along with a long list of vitamins and minerals. I happen to love coconut everything, but if for some reason you don’t (the horror!), fear not. The bold flavors of the maple, liquid smoke, and soy sauce overpower the flavor of coconut here. As long as you like the flavor of bacon, you will love this coconut-based snack.
Sometime about 10 years ago I realized I would rather rub a pig’s belly than eat it, but I’m not here to pass judgement on your bacon eating habits. Whether you’re a real-deal bacon lover or not, I think you are going to enjoy this maple bacon coconut. I fed it to my sister Heather, who ate a handful and said “Hmm…tastes like bacon”. We then devoured it on a BLT-inspired salad for dinner, so I’d say it passes the bacon test. Don’t believe me? Make a batch and let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, or tag me #bakedgreens on Instagram so I can see all your musings on coconut bacon.
Maple Bacon Coconut Clusters
Ingredients
- 3 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke*
- 2 Tablespoon soy sauce I used liquid aminos
- 2 1/2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon each black pepper and paprika
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- 2. Put all ingredients onto the sheet pan, and mix to combine. Spread coconut out in an even layer.
- 3. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until coconut is golden brown. Let cool completely, then use a spatula to break up coconut into clusters. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- 4. Enjoy as a snack, or on top of any foods you would normally add bacon to.
Notes
I’ll take a big handful, if you don’t mind.