Creamed coconut is one of my favourite ingredients in the kitchen. I have been cooking with it for decades and use it in all sorts of ways, from creamy curries and nourishing soups to fudge, oat bars, cheesecakes and breakfast bowls.
It brings such a luxurious richness to food. It can thicken a sauce, help a dessert to set, bind an oat bar together or simply melt into a soup and transform the whole thing into something rather special.
On this page you will find my collection of creamed coconut recipes. They are all plant-based and naturally gluten-free, with plenty of savoury meals, soups, breakfasts and delectable sweet treats to explore.
These recipes were created by Anastasia Eden, founder of Kind Earth. Anastasia has spent more than 30 years developing plant-based recipes and has worked internationally as a retreat chef, creating nourishing vegan food for groups.
Table of Contents
Ways to Use Creamed Coconut in Recipes
1. Creamed Coconut Fudge and Energy Balls
2. Creamed Coconut Oat Bars and Baked Treats
3. No-Bake Brownies, Cheesecakes and Pies
4. Curries, Stews and One-Pot Meals with Creamed Coconut
5. Savoury Bakes, Pies and Tacos
6. Soups Made with Creamed Coconut
7. Creamed Coconut Patties and Burgers
8. An Easy Sauce with Creamed Coconut
9. Creamed Coconut Breakfasts, Porridge and Smoothies
10. More Recipes You Can Make with Creamed Coconut
Frequently Asked Questions about Creamed Coconut Recipes
What Is Creamed Coconut?
I am talking about CREAMED COCONUT here, which usually comes in a solid block. It is made from the finely ground flesh of a mature coconut and melts when heated.
Creamed coconut is different from coconut cream and coconut milk, which can be confusing because the names sound so similar. It is also essentially the same thing as coconut butter, although creamed coconut is generally sold in a block and is often much less expensive.
Watch my short YouTube video with over 100,000 views
In this short video I explain exactly what creamed coconut is and how it compares with coconut cream and coconut butter.
What actually is Creamed Coconut (versus coconut cream & coconut butter)?
If you want to understand exactly what it is, how it behaves and how to use it properly, have a look at my guide here: What is creamed coconut, how to use it and why it works?
Creamed coconut in your recipes can transform your culinary experience.
Ways to Use Creamed Coconut in Recipes
Creamed coconut is exceedingly versatile. I use it to:
- create creamy curries, stews and one-pot meals
- enrich and thicken soups
- make simple sauces
- bind oat bars, burgers and patties
- help cheesecakes, fudge and no-bake desserts set
- add a gentle coconut creaminess to porridge and smoothies
A little goes a long way because it is pure, concentrated coconut. In hot savoury recipes, I usually chop it into small pieces and let it melt directly into the dish. For fudge and chilled desserts, I often melt it gently first or blend it with the other ingredients.
Creamed Coconut Fudge and Energy Balls
Creamed coconut works beautifully in fudge and other no-bake treats. It melts into a creamy base and then firms up again as it cools. This means we can make seriously good fudge without dairy or complicated ingredients. Yay!
Coconut chocolate fudge with only four ingredients
This is possibly the most heavenly fudge in the world. It is a world apart from regular fudge, which is usually laden with dairy and refined sugar. My version uses creamed coconut, cacao, maple syrup and vanilla. It only takes a few minutes to make before it goes into the fridge or freezer to set.
Coconut Chocolate Fudge with Creamed Coconut
Blueberry and lemon creamed coconut fudge
This is the most fun fudge I have ever made! The blueberries create a beautiful colour while lemon brings a gorgeous little zing. It is rich, delicious and made with only four ingredients.
Blueberry and Lemon Fudge with Creamed Coconut
Raw cacao coconut energy balls
Creamed coconut transforms an energy ball recipe to another level. These are naturally sweetened with dates and made with walnuts, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds and cacao. Delicious little bites for an afternoon lift or a hiking snack.
Raw Cacao and Coconut Energy Balls
Creamed Coconut Oat Bars and Baked Treats
Creamed coconut is especially useful in oat bars because it acts as a binder in place of butter. It melts into the mixture when warm and firms up as the bars cool, helping everything hold together beautifully.
Vegan creamed coconut oat bars
These are wonderfully simple oat bars made with creamed coconut, oats, raisins, cinnamon and date syrup. They are easy to make, naturally sweetened and rather difficult to stop eating haha!
Vegan Creamed Coconut Oat Bars
Creamed coconut flapjacks or granola bars
These flapjacks were born out of my obsession with creamed coconut. I wanted to see whether I could use it instead of butter or margarine and it worked a treat. They are infused with a naturally sweet coconut flavour and hold together beautifully.
In Britain we call these flapjacks, while in North America they would be more commonly known as granola bars.
Creamed Coconut Flapjacks or Granola Bars
No-Bake Brownies, Cheesecakes and Pies
One of the magical things about creamed coconut is that it sets when chilled. This makes it an excellent ingredient for no-bake desserts. It can create structure, richness and a creamy texture without dairy.
Strawberry no-bake vegan cheesecake
Everyone loves strawberry cheesecake, without the need for cheese! Creamed coconut blends with strawberries, cashews and lemon to create a delectable topping that firms up in the freezer.
Vegan No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake
Raw superfood brownies with creamed coconut and lucuma topping
Doesn’t that sound fancy? This is the recipe you need when you want to make something exceedingly delicious yet healthy. The creamy lucuma topping contrasts beautifully with the rich cacao brownie base.
I originally created this generous version for 20 people, making it especially useful for retreats, gatherings and celebrations.
Raw Superfood Brownies with Creamed Coconut and Lucuma
Raw chocolate covered coconut bliss bars
Oh my goodness, these are delectably delicious. I often serve this kind of no-bake treat when I am catering for groups on retreat. The room usually goes quiet as everyone savours each mouthful.
Creamed coconut works in both the coconut filling and the homemade chocolate coating.
Raw Chocolate Covered Coconut Bliss Bars
Blueberry chocolate fudge layer pie
This gorgeous no-bake pie has three distinct layers. There is an almond base, a chocolate creamed coconut middle and a blueberry topping made with cashews, dates and more creamed coconut.
It looks impressive, tastes divine and is surprisingly easy to create.
Blueberry Chocolate Fudge Layer Pie
Curries, Stews and One-Pot Meals with Creamed Coconut
Creamed coconut melts directly into hot curries and one-pots, creating a rich sauce without needing dairy or a tin of coconut milk. I usually chop the block into small pieces so that it melts quickly and evenly.
Easy vegan sweet potato curry
Everyone loves this curry. It is awesome simplicity at its finest. We are talking sweet potatoes, chickpeas, passata and creamed coconut. These ingredients are a match made in heaven.
Thai coconut curry with kaffir lime and butternut squash
Creamed coconut plus curry equals DIVINE ALCHEMY. This Thai-inspired curry is incredibly satisfying. Kaffir lime leaves bring their beautiful fragrance while the creamed coconut melts into the sauce and creates a dreamy tropical infusion.
Thai Coconut Curry with Kaffir Lime and Butternut Squash
Spicy black bean one-pot
The sauce in this black bean recipe is so good. Creamed coconut brings everything together and turns it from something delicious into something out of this world. Serve it with pasta, potatoes, rice, quinoa or wedges.
Easy squash and black bean one-pot
This is exactly the sort of thing I whip up when I have little time. Toss everything into one pot, add creamed coconut and you soon have a magical pot of luxurious yet super healthy deliciousness.
Easy Squash and Black Bean One-Pot
My go-to vegan one-pot stew
This is a more recent recipe and one I make for easy batch cooking and freezing. It is packed with sweet potatoes, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, peppers and warming spices. A little creamed coconut melts through the whole pot, bringing the flavours together and adding a lovely richness.
It is simple, flexible, nourishing and makes ten generous portions.
Savoury Bakes, Pies and Tacos
Creamed coconut works beautifully with tomato-based sauces. It softens the sharpness of the tomato, adds body and creates a wonderfully creamy filling for pies, bakes and tacos.
Vegan butter bean coconut bake
This is a healthy and satisfying bake made with butter beans, cauliflower, rosemary and nutmeg, finished with an oat and sunflower seed crumble topping. The creamed coconut sauce makes the filling feel especially comforting.
Vegan Butter Bean Coconut Bake
Roast butternut squash pie
I am always creating sauces with creamed coconut. In this bake, it melts into a thick tomato sauce that coats the beans, broccoli and golden roasted squash. Always goes down a treat!
Black bean and mushroom shepherd’s pie
Such a good way to enjoy black beans and mushrooms. The filling is infused with warming spices, tomato and creamed coconut, then topped with comforting mashed potatoes. Yum!
Black Bean and Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie
Black bean vegan tacos
These tacos use a rich tomato and creamed coconut sauce around the black bean filling. Stuff it into your taco shells, bake briefly and you have got yourself a delicious meal.
Soups Made with Creamed Coconut
Soup is one of the easiest places to use creamed coconut. You can chop it and add it directly to the pan, where it melts into the hot liquid and creates a creamy, satisfying texture.
Sweet potato and lentil soup
Divine! That’s all I can say. This soup is made with sweet potato, cauliflower, mushrooms, red lentils, passata, ginger, coriander and a generous amount of creamed coconut.
Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup with Creamed Coconut
Serenity mint pea soup
There is a reason this is called Serenity Soup. It infuses a depth of peace, calm and a sense of oh my goodness this is ahhhhhhhh so, so good.
It is one of the most popular soups I serve when catering on retreats. Fresh mint, peas, potato and creamed coconut create something remarkably simple and beautiful.
Easy squash and ginger soup
This is a super easy soup with very few ingredients. Roasting the squash brings a wonderful depth of flavour, while ginger adds warmth and creamed coconut takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Easy Vegan Squash Soup with Ginger and Coconut
Spicy vegan sweet potato soup
This soup combines sweet potato, chickpeas, warming spices and a little creamed coconut. The coconut balances the spices and brings a gentle richness without overwhelming the other flavours.
Beetroot and shiitake soup
This is a wonderfully earthy soup made with beetroot, squash, shiitake mushrooms, ginger and creamed coconut. The coconut softens and rounds the deeper earthy flavours beautifully.
Creamed Coconut Patties and Burgers
As creamed coconut cools and firms up, it can help bind burgers and patties together. It also adds a rich, subtle coconut flavour that works surprisingly well with potatoes, sweet potatoes, herbs and spices.
Easy turmeric potato patties
These are simple potato patties made with turmeric and creamed coconut. Serve them with brunch, lunch or a main meal, or let them cool and enjoy them as a snack.
Coconut mint potato patties
These patties have only four ingredients and are an excellent way to use leftover boiled potatoes. Creamed coconut and fresh mint turn them into something exceedingly nurturing and delicious.
Sweet potato hemp burgers
These nourishing burgers use sweet potato, shelled hemp seeds, spices and creamed coconut. The coconut helps everything bind together while adding a lovely depth of flavour.
An Easy Sauce with Creamed Coconut
My original Tomoconut Sauce
Tomoconut is one of my signature sauces and originally appeared in my recipe book Angelicious. It is essentially a magical medley of passata and creamed coconut, seasoned simply with salt and pepper.
Sometimes less is more. This works with veggie burgers, wedges, falafels, roast vegetables and pasta. It is probably the only sauce you will ever need!
Creamed Coconut Breakfasts, Porridge and Smoothies
You only need a small amount of creamed coconut to make porridge or a smoothie taste extra creamy and satisfying. It is such a simple way to bring a little more nourishment and deliciousness to breakfast.
Creamy coconut and cinnamon oat porridge
I make a version of this almost every day. It is simple, delicious and very adaptable. A little creamed coconut melts into the oats, creating a hearty feel-good breakfast.
Creamy Coconut and Cinnamon Oat Porridge
Creamy coconut and banana porridge
Just a hint of creamed coconut can transform your breakfast into a whole new realm. Ripe banana brings natural sweetness while the coconut creates an extra creamy bowl of porridge.
Creamy Coconut and Banana Porridge
Papaya and coconut smoothie bowl
This tropical smoothie bowl has only three ingredients: papaya, frozen banana and creamed coconut. It is simple, refreshing and gloriously creamy.
You can serve it in a bowl or pour it into a glass and enjoy it as a smoothie.
Papaya and Coconut Smoothie Bowl
More Recipes You Can Make with Creamed Coconut
The following recipes use coconut cream or coconut milk in the main ingredient list, but I have also included guidance within each recipe for making them with creamed coconut block.
Sweet potato and coconut soup with warming spices
This uses coconut cream in the original recipe, but you can replace it with approximately 50g of creamed coconut and adjust the water as needed.
Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup with Warming Spices
Coconut cauliflower and chickpea soup
Another versatile soup. If you do not have coconut cream, you can use 50g of creamed coconut block instead.
Coconut Cauliflower and Chickpea Soup
Creamy coconut cauliflower soup
This gentle soup with nutmeg and rosemary can be made with different forms of coconut, including creamed coconut.
Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Soup
Creamy cauliflower sauce
One of the five variations of this versatile cauliflower sauce is my Totally Coconut Sauce. Simply add creamed coconut before blending for a gorgeous infusion of coconut.
Creamy Coconut Cauliflower Sauce Five Ways
Frequently Asked Questions about Creamed Coconut Recipes
Can I add creamed coconut directly to a curry or soup?
Yes. I usually chop it into small pieces and add it directly to the hot pan. Stir as it heats and it will gradually melt into the liquid.
How much creamed coconut should I use in a savoury recipe?
It depends on how much food you are making and how creamy you want it. Many of my soups and savoury meals use between 35g and 100g. I recommend starting with less because creamed coconut is concentrated. You can always add more.
Can creamed coconut replace butter in baking?
It works beautifully as part of the fat and binding mixture in oat bars and flapjacks. It is not necessarily a direct replacement in every baking recipe, but in recipes developed specifically for it, creamed coconut helps the mixture bind and firm up as it cools.
Why does creamed coconut work so well in no-bake desserts?
Creamed coconut melts when warmed and sets firmly when chilled. This makes it excellent for fudge, cheesecake toppings, bars and other no-bake desserts that need to hold their shape.
Is creamed coconut the same as coconut butter?
Yes, they are essentially the same ingredient. Both are made from finely ground coconut flesh. Creamed coconut is generally sold in a solid block and is often less expensive.
Can I use creamed coconut instead of coconut milk?
Yes, in many recipes you can melt creamed coconut with hot water to create coconut milk. The amount of water depends on how thick or thin you want it. I will be sharing a complete guide to making coconut milk from creamed coconut separately.
Explore something new with creamed coconut
Who knew that one simple block of coconut could do so much?
Creamed coconut can create luxurious sauces, comforting soups, easy curries, nourishing breakfasts and the most delectable fudge and desserts. It is one of those ingredients that opens up a whole world of possibilities once you understand how to use it.
I hope these creamed coconut recipes inspire you to try something new. Please do let me know how you get on.
Anastasia
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Who knew creamed coconut had so many savory & sweet applications? That blueberry & lemon fudge is stunning!
Yes, so versatile isn’t it. I am a big fan of coconut, so I use it in just about everything 🙂
I wonder if creamed coconut is the same as coconut butter? It looks and cooks the same. Thanks for the lovely recipes, they all look so good!
It is pretty much the same stuff Linda, yes. There is usually a bit of coconut oil with the creamed coconut though (that separates) – you can use coconut butter & creamed coconut inter-changeably. The creamed coconut is often quite a bit less pricy though 😉
All these recipes look amazing! I’m especially excited to try the desserts. 🙂
Thank you Amy! Oh yes the desserts – the trouble is when you take a bite you just can’t stop ha ha.
Thank you so much for sharing these! They sound divine, and I just have to try the Creamed Coconut Mint Patties!
All these recipes look so good. I love the mixture of sweet and savory!
I loved it <3