Air Fryer Vegan Pancetta

Looking for a bold, smoky, meaty flavor…but in a healthy way? This air fryer vegan pancetta is it!

Made with seasoned tofu that has been air fried to perfection, this vegan pancetta is the perfect protein rich, crispy, chewy, smoky, meaty, plant-based alternative to pork Pancetta or bacon bits.

Jazz up any salad and elevate any pasta dish with this easy to make, air fryer vegan pancetta.

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What is Vegan Pancetta

Let’s start with traditional Pancetta. Traditional pancetta is a salt-cured meat made from pork belly. It’s a salty, savory, meaty ingredient that is used to add flavor and texture to soups, sauces, and more. Although I love what pancetta can bring to the table, I prefer to skip the whole pork aspect. So making a vegan pancetta was a must!

This version of vegan pancetta is made from tofu that has been pressed, seasoned and air fried to perfection. The result? A protein rich flavor bomb that is absolutely perfect for adding a smoky, meaty, savory flavor to any dish!

How to make air fryer vegan pancetta

Making air fryer vegan pancetta is incredibly simple to make and is the perfect ingredient to prep in bulk and add to dishes all week long!

Step one: Press your tofu for vegan pancetta

You can heat up and eat tofu right out of the container. But pressing it is highly recommended. 

By pressing the tofu, a lot of the extra liquid is released. This improves the texture by making it firmer. It also allows the tofu to have room to absorb the flavors it’s being cooked or marinated in. Plus it browns and crisps more easily when pressed. 

You can press your tofu by placing a heavy object on top of it, such as an iron skillet. But if you consume tofu frequently I recommend buying a tofu press. They are cheap, simple and get the job done effectively. 

You should press your tofu for a minimum of 10 minutes. But 30-60 minutes is ideal. 

Step two: Cut and season your tofu for vegan pancetta

Once your tofu has been pressed, it’s time to dice it up! Cut your tofu into small cubes about 1/4 inch by 1/4 inch.

Now it’s time to season your tofu. To transform flavorless tofu into a delicious vegan pancetta, we need to create a savory, salty, meaty flavor. Yes, this can be done without actually using meat! Simply toss your tofu in a combination of soy sauce (salty, umami flavor), tomato paste (acidity), maple syrup (sweet), liquid smoke and paprika (smoky, meaty flavor), and garlic powder (bonus flavor).

Mix until evenly coated and allow everything to marinate for at least 10 minutes, but the longer the better!

Step three: Air fry your vegan pancetta

Now that your tofu has been pressed, chopped, seasoned and marinated, the only thing left to do is air fry it!

Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F. Place your tofu in the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes or until the outside is nice and crispy. Add more time if needed, but be careful not to let it burn.

That’s it! Perfectly air fried, vegan pancetta!

BAKED VEGAN PANCETTA

Don’t have an air fryer? No problem! You can bake your vegan pancetta instead.

Place seasoned tofu on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Check it at the 20 minutes mark and give it more time if needed.

How to use vegan pancetta

Vegan Pancetta is a protein rich, flavorful ingredient that is the perfect addition for many meals! Toss it in a salad for a meaty, smoky protein. Add it to pasta dishes, such as Vegan Carbonara. Use it as a meat substitute for bacon, ham or pancetta.

This vegan pancetta is perfect for meal prep! Prepare a batch or two in the beginning of the week. Store in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Toss it in salads, soups, omelets, pizzas, pastas all week long!

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