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    Recipes » Recipes » Baking & Desserts

    Vegan Coconut Macaroons (Gluten-Free)

    Last updated - July 11, 2021; Published - April 1, 2020 By Rhian Williams 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    A collage of two Vegan Coconut Macaroons photos

    These Vegan Macaroons are soft, chewy, fragrant and nutty. They're easy to make, requiring just 5 simple ingredients, one bowl (food processor) and no aquafaba! They're made with coconut and can easily be customised by flavouring them with almond or dipping in dark chocolate. They're gluten-free, refined sugar free and grain-free.

    Six vegan macaroons drizzled with melted chocolate on a sheet of brown baking paper

    What is the difference between macaroons and macarons?

    Macaroons, which are a bit like coconut cookies, are usually made from coconut, egg whites and sweetened condensed milk. They're dense, moist and sweet and are often dipped in chocolate.

    Macarons are a French meringue-like confection made using egg whites, icing sugar and ground almonds. They're soft and chewy and have a melt-in-the-mouth texture. Food colourings and flavourings are often added, and they're sandwiched together with a buttercream or ganache.

    Do macaroons have dairy?

    Although they traditionally are made using sweetened condensed milk, dairy-free coconut macaroons are easy to make - the condensed milk can be replaced by another similarly sticky liquid sweetener, such as agave syrup or brown rice syrup.

    How do you make macaroons without eggs?

    Egg whites in traditional macaroons are used as a binder and a raising agent. However, eggless coconut macaroons are easy to make. You can add baking powder as the raising agent, and blending up the coconut in a food processor causes it to become sticky and easy to stick together.

    Are macaroons healthy?

    Traditional macaroons have a high sugar and fat content. However, these vegan coconut macaroons are relatively healthy as they contain less sugar. The coconut is a good source of dietary fibre too!

    What type of coconut should you use for macaroons?

    These macaroons need to be made using desiccated coconut. I wouldn't recommend using coconut flakes.

    How to make this recipe

    Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.

    • Place the desiccated coconut, coconut oil, agave syrup and vanilla in a food processor.
    Desiccated coconut, coconut oil and agave syrup in a food processor
    • Whizz for around 30 seconds to a minute, until the coconut becomes more fine and sticks together when you take a small amount in your hands.
    Shredded coconut in a food processor against a white background
    • Add the baking powder and pulse briefly to combine.
    Shredded coconut and baking powder in a food processor
    • Place in the fridge for 10 minutes (or longer) to allow the mixture to firm up slightly - this will make it easier to form into macaroons.
    • Use a cookie scoop to scoop the mixture (make sure the mixture is closely packed together inside the cookie scoop) onto a rectangular baking tray lined with baking paper (you should be able to make 18 macaroons).
    Nine raw vegan macaroons on a baking tray covered in brown baking paper
    • Bake in the oven for 6-7 minutes until golden brown - be careful to make sure they don’t burn.
    Nine vegan macaroons on a baking tray covered in brown baking paper

    How to make chocolate-dipped macaroons

    • Once the macaroons have cooled, dip the bottoms in melted chocolate and drizzle over melted chocolate if desired.
    • Make sure the chocolate has hardened completely before putting away to store.

    Troubleshooting tips for macaroons falling apart

    • Make sure you have blended the mixture for long enough in your food processor to ensure that it has become sticky enough to form into shapes.
    • If you're still having trouble moulding the mixture, keep the mixture in the fridge (or the freezer) for slightly longer, as the oils from the coconut solidify in colder temperatures, which means the mixture will firm up and be easier to mould into shapes. Keep a close eye on the mixture if it's in the freezer so it doesn't freeze completely!

    How do you store macaroons?

    • These vegan macaroons keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a few days.
    • If it is quite hot where you live, I'd recommend keeping them in the fridge as they might melt/get too soft.

    Substitutions you can make

    • You can replace the agave syrup with brown rice syrup - I wouldn't recommend maple syrup as it's too liquidy.
    • You can omit the vanilla extract.

    Flavour alternatives

    • Cocoa powder.
    • Matcha powder.
    • Beetroot powder - for a pink colour.
    • You can replace the vanilla extract with almond extract.
    • You can replace the vanilla extract with lemon extract.
    Five vegan macaroons drizzled with melted chocolate on a sheet of brown baking paper

    More vegan coconut desserts

    • Coconut Cupcakes
    • Coconut Cream Pie
    • Coconut Cake

    If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.

    Watch how to make this recipe

    Five vegan coconut macaroons drizzled with melted chocolate on a sheet of brown baking paper

    Vegan Macaroons (Gluten-Free)

    These Vegan Macaroons are soft, chewy, fragrant and nutty. They're easy to make, requiring just 5 simple ingredients, one bowl (food processor) and no aquafaba! They're made with coconut and can easily be customised by flavouring them with almond or dipping in dark chocolate. They're gluten-free, refined sugar free and grain-free.
    3.77 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: vegan coconut macaroons, vegan dessert, vegan macaroons
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes
    Total Time: 22 minutes
    Servings: 18 macaroons
    Calories: 79kcal
    Author: Rhian Williams

    Ingredients

    • 150 g (1 ½ cup) desiccated coconut
    • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
    • 6 tablespoons agave syrup (or sub brown rice syrup*)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)

    To decorate (optional):

    • Dark chocolate , melted (ensure vegan/gluten-free if necessary)

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
    • Place the desiccated coconut, coconut oil, agave syrup and vanilla in a food processor.
    • Whizz for around 30 seconds to a minute, until coconut becomes more fine and sticks together when you take a small amount in your hands.
    • Add the baking powder and pulse briefly to combine.
    • Place in the fridge for 10 minutes (or longer) to allow the mixture to firm up slightly - this will make it easier to form into macaroons.
    • Use a cookie scoop to scoop the mixture (make sure the mixture is closely packed together inside the cookie scoop) onto a baking tray lined with baking paper (you should be able to make 18 macaroons).
    • Bake in the oven for 6-7 minutes until golden brown - be careful to make sure they don’t burn.
    • Dip the bottoms in melted chocolate and drizzle over melted chocolate if desired - make sure the chocolate has hardened completely before putting away to store.
    • Keeps in an airtight container for a few days.

    Video

    Notes

    *I wouldn't recommend maple syrup as it's too liquidy.
    • Make sure you have blended the mixture for long enough in your food processor to ensure that it has become sticky enough to form into shapes.
    • If you're still having trouble moulding the mixture, keep the mixture in the fridge (or the freezer) for slightly longer, as the oils from the coconut solidify in colder temperatures, which means the mixture will firm up and be easier to mould into shapes. Keep a close eye on the mixture if it's in the freezer so it doesn't freeze completely!
    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Macaroons (Gluten-Free)
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 79 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 4g20%
    Sodium 3mg0%
    Potassium 67mg2%
    Carbohydrates 7g2%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 5g6%
    Vitamin C 0.2mg0%
    Calcium 12mg1%
    Iron 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

    Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jay

      July 28, 2020 at 9:36 pm

      5 stars
      Hi,
      Can I use coconut flour instead of desiccated coconut?
      I can't find it anywhere.

      Reply
      • Rhian Williams

        July 29, 2020 at 5:46 pm

        Yes it should be ok, but you'll have to use much less! I can't advise on quantities as I haven't tested the recipe that way, but would love to hear how you get on if you do try it!

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    Hi, I'm Rhian! I make easy, undetectably vegan + gluten-free recipes, including healthy comfort food and naturally sweetened desserts using plant-based ingredients.

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