Crispy Portobello Mushroom Bacon (Vegan)

[nverland]

Crispy Portobello Mushroom Bacon (Vegan)
Prep Time 15 minutes Cook Time 30 minutes Total Time 45 minutes Servings: 4

Ingredients

MARINADE
2 Tbsp avocado oil
1 ¼ Tbsp maple syrup
1 ¼ Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 ½ Tbsp coconut aminos (or tamari, but start with half and work your way up as it's saltier)
1 heaping tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
1 dash liquid smoke (ensure gluten-free friendly as needed)
1 rounded tsp chickpea (or soy) miso paste
3/4 tsp ground black pepper, plus more to taste

MUSHROOMS
2 medium portobello mushrooms, stems removed + sliced into 1/8th inch-wide strips (or sub comparable amount of other mushrooms, such as shiitake)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set an oven-safe baking/cooling rack on top for crispiness (if you don’t have a cooling / baking rack, just omit — it helps the “bacon” get crispier but isn't necessary).
Prepare marinade by adding avocado oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, coconut aminos, paprika, salt, liquid smoke, miso paste, and black pepper to a medium mixing bowl and whisking to combine. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more liquid smoke or paprika for smokiness, pepper for spice, vinegar for acidity, maple syrup for sweetness, or salt to taste.
Once the marinade is seasoned to your liking, add the sliced mushrooms to the bowl and gently toss / stir to coat. I prefer using my hands to toss the mushrooms in order to handle them more carefully and coat them more thoroughly.
Lay mushrooms on the oven-safe baking/cooling rack set over the parchment-lined baking sheet (or just directly on the parchment paper) and spread into an even layer, making sure the mushrooms are touching as little as possible.
Bake for 20-30 minutes in the top third of the oven, or until darker golden brown in color and fragrant. How long you bake the mushrooms depends on how crispy you like your mushroom “bacon.”
Remove from oven, peel off of cooling rack, and enjoy immediately with your favorite breakfast items, such as roasted sweet potatoes or in a scramble. Would also be delicious in vegan/vegetarian BLT sandwiches, wraps, or salads!
Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days and reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm. Not freezer friendly.