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Fruits · Tropical fruit

Desiccated coconut

Dried, finely grated or shredded coconut flesh; used in baking, sweets, curries and coatings.

Also called: dried coconut, shredded coconut, coconut flakes

A kind of coconut

32 recipes with it

What it is

Desiccated coconut is the white flesh of mature coconuts grated and dried until low in moisture. It is sold fine (desiccated), shredded or in larger flakes, sweetened or unsweetened. It is drier and less fragrant than fresh coconut but keeps far longer.

How it’s used

  • Baked into macaroons, lamingtons and cakes
  • Cooked into coconut barfi and ladoos
  • Toasted and added to curries and chutneys
  • Used to coat sweets and fried prawns

Characteristics

Taste
Mildly sweet and nutty.
Texture
Dry, fine or flaky.
When cooked
Toasts fast and burns easily; soak in warm water to stand in for fresh coconut.
Sold as
dried, flakes
Cooking uses
Suitable for baking, Used as a garnish, Commonly cooked

Storage

Cool, dry and dark. Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, or the fridge in hot climates; it goes rancid over time.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Coconut is not one of the common tree-nut allergens, but US labelling lists it as a tree nut; check if you have a nut allergy.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
660 kcal
Protein
6.88 g
Carbohydrate
23.65 g
Fat
64.53 g
Fibre
16.3 g
Sugars
7.35 g

USDA FoodData Central: Nuts, coconut meat, dried (desiccated), not sweetened.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

  • Coconut — Use about 1½ times the weight in fresh grated coconut; moister.

Related ingredients

Recipes with desiccated coconut

See all 32

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