This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Healthy vegan salad recipes don’t have to be bland and boring! Delicious salad toppings are the key to making salads healthy and exciting. Make these super simple and quick vegan bacon bits to jazz up your salad. They add lots of delicious, smokey, and salty flavor.
Guys.
I have an addiction and it’s so embarrassing yet so amazing.
It’s a little thing called Pokemon Go (I’m sure you’ve heard of it) and it actually gets me OUT OF THE HOUSE but also away from my computer where I get my work done. It’s bad. I need Pokemon Go management skills.
I wasn’t prepared for this awesome thing, especially since I wasn’t even into Pokemon as a kid. My justification is the exercise + tan I’m getting from being outside so much, ha! And a tired toddler.
What do vegan bacon bits have to do with Pokemon Go? Nothing really. Except for the fact that I was suppose to write this blog post last week…and then…SQUIRTLE!
Squirtle is the new squirrel.
I’m sorry. Did I mention I was 24 years old? -hangs head-
But I’m back in action and feeling motivated to get things done. But not motivated enough to share with you an elaborate, plant-based meal that takes 2 hours to prepare. Because being addicted to this game also means that my healthy meals need to be QUICK and healthy. And my favorite quick & healthy meal is always a veggie-packed salad loaded with texture and flavor.
Enter: Vegan Bacon Bits Alternative!
These smokey little morsels are crazy easy to make and taste absolutely amazing with a creamy dressing, like a dairy-free ranch (love Just Ranch by Hampton Creek) or my tzatziki dressing.
These “bacon bits” are made with sunflower seeds, smoked paprika, salt (I prefer pink salt), and oil so the spices stick to the seeds. Healthy, crunchy, super quick and simple, and bursting with absolutely amazing flavor.
I love adding smoked paprika to soups and other dishes that call for bacon to add that smokiness that usually bacon usually gives. Smoked paprika is the perfect bacon alternative!
I love sunflower seeds on my salads anyway, and spicing them up just adds another level of excitement to a salad. No boring salads here!
Psst: vegan bacon bits are also yummy just as a snack!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sunflower seed kernels - (roasted, unsalted)
- 1/2 teaspoon oil*
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients until the sunflowers are coated evenly in the spices.
- Use right away or store in the fridge for later.
Alix says
I didn’t have sunflower seeds so I crushed some sliced almonds and it worked great! I had it on a baked potato with avocado slices and earth balance. Tastes just how I remember bacon bits tasting. Thank you for the super fast, healthy, and yummy recipe!
Karissa says
Yum! That sounds awesome.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I always have these ingredients on-hand, so I will definitely try making this recipe. Looks like the perfect addition to a green salad!
Martha Netuschil says
Looks good