Learn how to toast coconut to add irresistible crunch and golden color to cakes, pies, and more. Toasted coconut is easy to do in 10 minutes using an oven or stovetop method!
Use toasted coconut flakes in German chocolate cake, 7-layer bars and coconut macaroons!
Table of Contents
Easy Toasted Coconut in 10 Minutes!
Toasted coconut is so yummy! I sometimes just snack on it plain, but it also tastes amazing served over your favorite desserts. I love it on top of coconut cream pie, carrot cake, lemon coconut dessert lasagna and key lime pie.
Toasting coconut is SO easy and only takes a few minutes. When you toast the coconut, it really brings out the flavor and leaves you with a delicious and nutty, caramelized taste. I love to use it to elevate snacks or side dishes like coconut rice.
Baking coconut is my favorite way to toast it, but you can toast it on the stove. Both methods turn out crispy and golden. Sweetened coconut (my favorite) takes an extra minute or two more to toast than unsweetened, but adds the perfect sweet flavor.
How to Toast Coconut
- Oven method: Spread coconut evenly over the pan. Bake at 325° for 3 minutes and then stir. Bake an additional 2-3 minutes, or until it has turned golden brown. Watch carefully, as it can brown quickly.
- Stove top method: Place the coconut in a skillet and cook over medium-low heat until golden, stirring frequently for about 3-5 minutes.
Using Toasted Coconut
- Cakes: So many cake recipes taste great with toasted coconut on top. A few of my favorites are carrot cake, tres leche cake, chocolate turtle poke cake and Texas sheet cake.
- Cookies: Try adding to almond joy cookies, coconut caramel cookies and German chocolate cookies. We love it in coconut cookies!
- Pies: It’s such a nice addition to pie! It tastes delicious as a topping on lemon meringue pie, banana cream pie or chocolate silk pie.
- Ice Cream: Coconut and ice cream is a great pair! Some of my favorite ice creams to top with are homemade vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream or no churn ice cream.
- Snacks: I love using it in snacks throughout the day! It tastes great in my healthy granola, granola bars, parfaits, energy balls and breakfast cookies. I sometimes even top my smoothies or overnight oats with a sprinkle.
FAQs
I like to use sweetened shredded coconut when toasting it. That way it’s already sweet prior to toasting and tastes delicious! If you’d like to try sweetening it yourself, simply add about 4 teaspoons of sugar into 1/4 cup hot water and stir until dissolved. Then add in your unsweetened coconut and let the mixture absorb. Then spread out on a baking sheet to dry for about 30 minutes.
Spread 1/2 cup of coconut on a microwave safe plate. Microwave 30 seconds then stir. Continue to microwave in 30 second intervals until how you like your coconut toasted.
Storage
To store, place in an airtight container at room temperature for about 1 month. I like to store mine in a mason jar. I personally wouldn’t recommend refrigerating or freezing it, as it could become soggy and chewy.
Tropical Recipes with Coconut
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Toasted Coconut
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- Spread coconut evenly over the pan. Bake for 3 minutes and then stir. Bake an additional 2-3 minutes, or until it has turned golden brown. Watch carefully, as it can brown quickly.
- Alternatively, place the coconut in a skillet and cook over medium-low heat until golden, stirring frequently (about 3-5 minutes).
- Serve on top of your favorite desserts or snacks.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Dairy-Free, Desserts, Fruit Desserts, Stovetop, Toppings
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
I could eat this for snack! Love toasted coconut!
This is the only way Coconut should be eaten!
I’ve never toasted coconut, but it looks so easy with your step by step instructions!
I know for sure this would be a huge hit in my house!
You are a goddess!! I’ve never tried (nor heard of the stove top method). I’m going to try it this very minute! Thank you!
I love sprinkling toasted coconut whenever I can. Love how easy this is to make!
Love how easy this recipe is and what a difference it can make in desserts, or as a topping! Yum!