Air Fryer Carrot Bacon: A Tasty, Healthy Treat

If you're looking for a vegan bacon alternative, carrot bacon is a delicious, crunchy, and salty option. Made with thin carrot ribbons, this dish is cooked in an air fryer or oven and makes for a great side. The recipe involves marinating the carrots in a mixture of maple syrup, soy sauce, liquid smoke, and spices, and then air frying or baking them until they're crispy. It's a simple, tasty, and healthy treat that you can easily make at home.

Choosing the right carrots

The best carrots to use for carrot bacon are those with the greens still attached. These carrots are not only fresher but also tend to be more flavourful and nutritious, making them the ideal choice for this dish. Another excellent option is rainbow carrots, which come in various colours like purple, yellow, and white. They not only taste great but also add a vibrant touch to your dish, making them perfect for a holiday brunch or special occasion.

On the other hand, peeled baby carrots are not suitable for carrot bacon as they are too small and difficult to slice into thin strips. Regular-sized carrots are preferable as they provide a fuller bacon experience.

Preparing the marinade

The marinade is what gives the carrot bacon its distinctive flavour, and there are several different recipes to try. The basic ingredients are maple syrup, soy sauce, and liquid smoke, with a variety of spices.

One recipe suggests 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Another suggests 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1/2 tablespoon of garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.

You can also add olive oil, tahini, and paprika. One recipe suggests 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1 1/2 teaspoons of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke, and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika.

Whisk or blitz all the ingredients together until you have a thick marinade.

Slicing the carrots

Choosing the Right Carrots:

• Look for large, full-size carrots with the greens still attached. These are the healthiest option and will give you more surface area to work with.
• Rainbow carrots are also a great choice, adding a beautiful pop of color to your dish.
• Avoid using peeled baby carrots, as they are too small and difficult to slice thinly.

Tools for Slicing:

• Mandolin: A mandolin is a kitchen tool that allows you to create uniform, thin slices. It is the best option for achieving paper-thin slices efficiently.
• Vegetable Peeler: A regular vegetable peeler can also be used. Look for a Y-shaped peeler or a peeler with a swivel blade, which will give you more control and precision.
• Other Options: You can also use a food processor with a slicing disc or a box grater with a slicing function.

Slicing Technique:

• Wash and peel your carrots.
• Use your chosen tool to slice the carrots lengthwise into thin, uniform strips. Aim for a thickness that resembles bacon slices.
• If using a mandolin, adjust the blade to your desired thickness.
• If using a vegetable peeler, apply gentle pressure and run the peeler down the length of the carrot, creating long, thin strips.

Tips for Perfect Slices:

• For safety, always use a cutting board and watch your fingers when slicing.
• Try to maintain a consistent thickness throughout the slicing process.
• If your carrot has a thicker top, you can trim it to create a more uniform shape before slicing.

By following these steps, you'll end up with perfectly sliced carrots that are ready to be marinated and transformed into delicious carrot bacon in your air fryer!

Cooking the carrot bacon

Now that you've got your carrot slices and marinade ready, it's time to cook your carrot bacon!

First, preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C). If you don't have an air fryer, you can also use a regular oven; preheat it to 350°F (180°C).

Next, you'll need to marinate your carrot slices. Place them in a container and pour over the marinade. Make sure that all the slices are well-coated. Leave them to marinate for at least 5 minutes, but the longer the better—the longer they marinate, the more flavourful your carrot bacon will be. You can also leave them to marinate in the fridge overnight for maximum flavour.

Once your carrot slices have finished marinating, it's time to cook them! Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on a lined baking sheet if using an oven. Cook the carrot bacon in batches if needed.

If using an air fryer, cook the carrot slices for 3 minutes, then flip them over and cook for another 2 minutes or until crispy. Repeat this process with the remaining carrot slices.

If using an oven, bake the carrot slices for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don't burn.

Your carrot bacon is ready when it starts to bubble and get wavy in the air fryer or oven. It may not be completely crispy yet, but it will continue to crisp up as it cools.

If you want your carrot bacon to be extra crispy, you can try a few things. First, make sure your carrot slices are thin and uniform in size. The thinner they are, the crispier they'll be. You can use a mandolin or a vegetable peeler to get thin, even slices.

You can also try adding a pinch of salt to the carrot slices before cooking. This will help draw out moisture, making them crispier.

Finally, if your carrot bacon is still not crispy enough for your taste, you can try cooking it for a few minutes longer. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't burn.

Now you have perfectly cooked carrot bacon! Enjoy it as a side dish, on a sandwich, or however you like.

Storing and reheating carrot bacon

Carrot bacon is best enjoyed fresh, as storing it in the refrigerator will cause it to lose its signature crispy texture. However, if you do have leftovers, there are some steps you can take to preserve and reheat them.

Storing Carrot Bacon

Ideally, carrot bacon should be consumed immediately after cooking. However, if you have leftovers, it is best to store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a maximum of three days. Do not refrigerate or freeze carrot bacon, as cold temperatures will ruin its texture.

If you must store carrot bacon in the refrigerator, it will stay fresh for up to three to four days. Keep in mind that it will lose its crispiness and soften during storage.

Reheating Carrot Bacon

To reheat carrot bacon, there are two recommended methods: using an oven or an air fryer.

Oven Method:

• Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Arrange the carrot bacon slices on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Reheat in the oven for three to four minutes. Keep a close eye on the bacon to avoid burning it.

Air Fryer Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the carrot bacon in the air fryer basket and air fry for two minutes.
• Stay nearby and use your sense of smell to determine if the carrot bacon needs to be removed sooner to avoid burning it.

It is worth noting that the reheated carrot bacon may not regain the same level of crispiness as when it was freshly cooked.

Frequently asked questions