Explore the many forms coconut can take with our selection of vegan coconut recipes from all over the world! For National Coconut Day, we have collected over two dozen sweet and savory recipes from soups and curries to crepes, pudding, and cakes from East African, Thai, Malaysian, Cantonese, Jamaican, Senegalese, and other cuisines. Additionally, we have included some delicious hot & iced vegan coconut-based drinks, as well as several tutorials on how to make your own coconut milk, butter, bacon, and more. Enjoy!
Savory Vegan Coconut Recipes
Vegan Coconut Curry by Conscious Cooking
Vegan curry is probably the recipe that relies on coconut milk the most. It’s creamy, spicy, delicious, and you can always experiment with veggies and plant proteins! In the case of Conscious Cooking’s curry, there’s chickpeas, zucchini, okra, carrot, and a whole bunch of spices!
Click here for the full recipe.
Sunshine Coconut Millet Bowl by Haile Thomas
If you aren’t a fan of millet, this is one of those vegan coconut recipes that might turn you around! Cooked with spices and coconut milk, the porridge is then topped with spicy tofu, flavorful mushrooms, and avocado. Yum!
Click here for the full recipe.
20-Minute Channa Bateta (Kenyan Chickpeas and Potatoes in Coconut Broth) by Sanjana Feasts
Channa Bateta is an East African classic. Sanjana, the author of the recipe, describes it as “an orchestra of tender potatoes and chickpeas, a spicy chili-laced coconut broth, fresh and fragrant coriander, a crunchy potato chip topping, and sour raw mango chutney that brings the entire thing to life.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! This vegan coconut recipe includes a range of topping options so you can customize your bowl however you like.
Click here for the full recipe.
Coconut Turmeric Rice by I Can You Can Vegan
Step up your side game with this vegan coconut turmeric rice recipe! It’s easy to make, is rich and flavorful with simple ingredients, and will pair well with your favorite plant proteins and veggies!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Nasi Lemak by Chez Jorge
If you’re looking for a special way to serve your coconut rice, try this vegan version of the Malaysian national dish, Nasi Lemak (“creamy rice”). It’s packed with flavors and served with spicy & briny sambal, roasted peanuts, fried tofu, and fresh cucumbers. Delicious!
Click here for the full recipe.
Coconut Bao Buns by Dee’s Table
Who knew that at the intersection of Jamaican Cocobread and Bao Buns, you could find vegan Bao Buns that are so versatile that they could be used in both sweet and savory recipes? (i.e. dessert ice cream sandwich or breakfast tacos). If you are as intrigued as we are, head on over to Dee’s Table and check out this vegan coconut recipe in full!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Tom Yum Zoodles Soup by Woon Heng
You have likely heard or even tried tom yum – one of the signature soups of Thai cuisine. But if you’ve never tried to make it at home, this is the recipe to follow! The rich broth is spicy and fragrant from all the spices, but the flavor is balanced out by the creaminess of coconut milk. And zucchini noodles are a fun add-on!
Click here for the full recipe.
Creamy Quinoa Coconut Soup by Plant-Based RD
Another rich and creamy vegan coconut recipe for nourishing tomato-based soup loaded with garlic, fennel, basil, quinoa, and chickpeas. It’s meal prep and pantry-friendly, as well as gluten-free.
Click here for the full recipe.
Comfy Lentil Soup by Sweet Greens Vegan
Coconut milk works really well in dishes heavy on spices and seasonings, such as curries or soups. This vegan coconut recipe isn’t any exception – with half of the ingredient list devoted to various spices, it’s deeply flavorful and delicious!
Click here for the full recipe.
Garlic Green Beans with Smoky Coconut Flakes by Rachel Ama
Not all savory vegan coconut recipes go for milk, sometimes they opt for its fresh or dried flesh, such as this side dish topped with smoky coconut flakes (which are also made with coconut aminos!). This recipe will work well on a holiday table, but who said you can’t enjoy it any time of the year?
Click here for the full recipe.
Papaya Coconut Island Salad by Upbeet Anisha
As we are moving on to sweet vegan coconut recipes, this island salad feels like the perfect transition – fresh, sweet, and tangy, made extra flavorful with a sweet-savory orange-coconut-ginger dressing. Save us some!
Click here for the full recipe.
Sweet Vegan Coconut Recipes
Coconut Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies by Sweet Simple Vegan
Another form coconuts can take is flour, believe it or not! It’s said to be harder to work with than other kinds, but if you follow this recipe to a T, you will end up with some chewy, chocolatey, and perfectly sweet vegan cookies!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Cashew Coconut Energy Balls by The Mindful Hapa
This vegan coconut recipe uses toasted shreds in combination with rich cashew butter, and sweet Medjool dates for a quick and yummy grab-and-go snack. If you don’t ever want to get hangry, be sure to have some of these coconut balls close by!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Orange and Toasted Coconut Cake by Happy Vegannie
Another sophisticated way to use coconut shreds is to make this decadent vegan cake! Imagine layers of fluffy cake topped with rich and creamy vanilla frosting, with an added crunch from the toasted shredded coconut… Are we racing to the kitchen yet?
Click here for the full recipe.
Neapolitan Cheesecake by Thriving on Plants
If you can’t decide between berry or chocolate cheesecake, Cherie Tu of Thriving on Plants says you don’t have to – just make her vegan Neapolitan cheesecake and have the best of both worlds! This recipe is really heavy on coconut: using cream, yogurt, AND oil, and we love it!
Click here for the full recipe.
Jamaican Coconut Drops by Healthier Steps
This vegan coconut recipe is a traditional Jamaican dessert that makes sweet, chewy coconut pieces that have the gummy texture of toffee. Chef Marsha, the author of the recipe, says that “this dessert is unlike anything you have ever made”, which makes it sound all the more exciting!
Click here for the full recipe.
Kuih Dadar (Pandan Rolled Crepes with Grated Coconut in Gula Melaka) by Nm Meiyee
If you’ve never heard of Kuih Dadar, it’s a Southeast Asian bite-sized snack that’s made with fragrant coconut Pandan rolled crepes filled with freshly grated coconut in palm sugar. A truly mouthwatering combo!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Nyonya Kaya by More Than Veggies
Another popular South East Asian vegan coconut recipe that pairs it with pandan is Nyonya Kaya – a velvety smooth and coconut-y sweet breakfast spread. It takes a couple of hours to make, but the flavor, texture, and color are so worth it!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Coconut Ice Cream with Roasted Peach, Fig + Pecan by Sweet Potato Soul
One of the best recipes for the summer must be this smooth nice cream that’s topped with seasonal deliciousness such as roasted peach and fig with toasted pecans! Keep in mind that you will need an ice cream maker (and at least 8 hours) to prepare this.
Click here for the full recipe.
3-ingredient Mango Coconut Popsicles by Astig Vegan
An even easier way to make vegan ice cream this summer is this vegan coconut recipe that only uses mangoes, canned coconut milk, and sweetener of choice (in addition to a blender and popsicle molds, of course)!
Click here for the full recipe.
Coconut Put Zai Go Pudding Cake by East Meets Kitchen
A pudding cake that’s not actually pudding – this is one way to describe put zai go, a popular Cantonese treat, which used to be sold from carts. It’s chewy, stretchy, and easy to make, so get your pudding cups and skewers ready!
Click here for the full recipe.
Senegalese Sombi Pudding with Fresh Mangoes by A Sweet Point of View
This Senegalese dish is a creamy rice pudding made with coconut milk, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, and topped with mangoes. If you don’t have access to mangoes, pair it with some citrus fruit which will work wonderfully with the coconut flavor!
Click here for the full recipe.
Vegan Coconut Drink Recipes
Blue Spirulina Smoothie with Vanilla & Coconut by Veggie Kins
Smoothies are good for you any time of year, but they’re especially enjoyable in the summer. This vegan coconut recipe is a treat for the stomach and the eyes, has a flavor similar to vanilla ice cream, and of course, the most gorgeous blue hue provided by spirulina!
Click here for the full recipe.
Coconut Milk Vietnamese Iced Coffee by I Heart Umami
If you’ve ever tasted Vietnamese coffee, you know it’s usually strong and sweet, made with condensed milk. Luckily, you can find dairy-free (usually coconut-based) sweetened condensed milk in stores these days, or easily follow your own! Head on over to I Heart Umami to find out how to make the perfect Vietnamese iced coffee with homemade condensed coconut milk.
Click here for the full recipe.
Spiced Coconut Chai Tea by The Minimalist Vegan
During chillier times you can always turn to hot coconut-based drinks for comfort. This dairy-free chai tea is spicy, rich, and has an added depth of flavor from the coconut milk & sugar combo!
Click here for the full recipe.
Cinnamon Coconut Cream Latte by Pick Up Limes
Another delicious hot drink you can make with coconut milk at home is this cinnamon coconut cream latte that has a sweet, creamy, caramel flavor that is unlike anything else!
Click here for the full recipe.
Bonus: Coconut How-to Guides
How to Crack a Coconut by The Viet Vegan
Click here for the full guide.
How to Make Raw Vegan Coconut Milk by Mariko Sakata
Click here for the full guide.
How to Make Coconut Butter by Murielle Banackissa
Click here for the full guide.
How to Make Vegan Butter by SO VEGAN
Click here for the full guide.
How to Make Vegan Coconut Bacon by Jessica in the Kitchen
Click here for the full guide.
How to Make Vegan Maple Coconut Cream Cheese Glaze by Make It Dairy Free
Click here for the full guide.
Editor: Anna Kot.
