You can take shredded coconut a step further with this awesome tutorial on how to make toasted coconut! Trust me, it makes a difference!
I LOVE coconut. Coconut anything for that matter! Not sure how I felt about it as a child, but now you cannot keep me away! I try to explain to people how wonderful it is, but there are still those hesitant people. Personally, I highly recommend toasted coconut over plain coconut as there is a huge difference in flavor (and with little effort!)
Since I always take things a step further, I am presenting you with my tutorial on how to make toasted coconut. Do not be fooled, it is super easy. The easiest recipe out there! And the worst part(or maybe the best part now?) Stores will charge you double the price for toasted coconut compared to the non-toasted variant. So not only are you making something "homemade," but you are saving money as well!
You start off with any amount of unsweetened or sweetened shredded coconut and layer it in single fashion on a baking sheet. It will last a couple of weeks so you can choose to do a small amount or a lot. I tend to like it on everything (oatmeal, ice cream, on its own, you name it!) so I go with anywhere between two and three cups. Sweetened or unsweetened depends on your preference. I used to be a sweetened lover, but now I do with unsweetened and add sugar accordingly!
What do you mean, Kacey? Well, let me tell you! If you only have unsweetened coconut on hand and a recipe calls for sweetened, you can mix in some confectioners' sugar before baking the coconut to add sweetness. Go with 1 tbsp. confectioners' sugar to about ½ cup of coconut. Or, you can just add more sugar to the recipe but some people may get a bit nervous with that. I have done the confectioners' sugar method with no issues, and since the shredded coconut releases oils while cooking, the sugar should stick no problem 🙂
📖 Recipe
Tutorial: How to Make Toasted Coconut
Take shredded coconut to the next level with this tutorial on how to make toasted coconut! Easy, quick, and suitable for any dietary choices!
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded coconut (you can choose whether you use sweetened or unsweetened!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. You can line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up if desired (but it is not necessary.)
- Sprinkle coconut onto baking sheet and spread out in single fashion. Place into oven and bake for 5 minutes. Toss coconut. Continue cooking for another 10 minutes, or until nicely golden, making sure to stir often so the coconut does not burn.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Store in air-tight container for a couple of weeks.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 388Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 242mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 8gSugar: 31gProtein: 3g
Now, a tutorial would not be complete without some recipes where I actually use the toasted coconut! Let's just say I have many, but feel free to use it anywhere you like! On top of ice cream, topping for pies, oatmeal or even cereal. I have brought coconut-haters over to the awesome side when I introduced them to toasted coconut. My neighbor, Melissa, hates coconut, but I made her some toasted coconut and ever since she cannot go back (and loves it on ice cream!) Heck, I even tend to use coconut oil in most of my baking now and while it is often masked, the flavor sometimes pulls through and I have had no complaints (soon everyone will be coconut lovers!)
Justine | Cooking and Beer
Toasted coconut is the BEST! Thanks so much for sharing these tips with us!
Kacey
You are welcome! It is definitely the best!
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie
Looks Delicious! Love Toasted Coconut.
Jennifer A Stewart
I love coconut on just about anything! My favorite is to use the large flakes so I can have that texture. I even found some coconut strips at Trader Joe's that is like coconut jerky! It is a must if you like coconut. Thanks for this tutorial as I always burn the edges:)
Kacey
OMG, coconut jerky?! I need to find these!! Thanks!
Michelle @My Gluten-free Kitchen
I appreciate the tutorial! So helpful! I've only done toasted coconut once before - a friend was actually doing it while I was at her house. Unfortunately, we got to talking and forgot about it being in the oven until we saw smoke billowing out of the oven and opened it to find the coconut on fire. I'll never forget that!
I look forward to trying it your way! lol
Kacey
I am so sorry, but this story made me laugh out loud, haha. Don't worry, I feel every time I watch the Food Network, someone is burning their coconut 🙂
Erin
I don't know why I have never toasted coconut! This looks so easy. And delicious. 🙂
Kacey
Erin, once you try it, you are never going back!
Michelle | A Latte Food
Toasted coconut is SO good! This is such a helpful tutorial!
Katerina @ Diethood
Um. Can I just eat that by the handfuls?!? 😀 Love me some toasted coconut!
Kacey
I won't lie, I have eaten toasted coconut by the spoon before...
Joanie @ Zagleft
I could add toasted coconut to just about anything! I love the flavor, great tutorial!
Levan
Such a comprehensive guide for roasted coconut! Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Ginny McMeans
So glad to have this information! Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love GIve
What a great tutorial - and those cupcakes look amazing!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet
Love this! Do you think this would work with flaked coconut too?
Kacey
Yes, Lauren! Just keep an eye on the coconut and you will be good to go 🙂 I really need to grab some flaked coconut.
Misty
I was thinking about rolling chocolate covered pretzels or homemade doughnuts in this.
Kacey
Sounds like a great idea to me!