Vegan Panna Cotta with Coconut Milk and Berries
Why this recipe works
- Creamy but dairy-free: Full-fat coconut milk gives the panna cotta richness while keeping the recipe completely plant-based.
- Fresh balance: Lime-dressed berries cut through the coconut’s richness and keep the dessert light.
- Easy to prepare ahead: The panna cotta needs chilling time, so it can be made in advance and finished with berries just before serving.
Get the most out of this recipe
Timing notes
- Allow enough time to set: The panna cotta needs at least 2 hours in the fridge to become softly firm with a gentle wobble.
- Cool before chilling: Let the filled ramekins cool until just warm before refrigerating so the set forms evenly.
- Add berries at the end: Spoon the berries over the panna cotta just before serving to keep the fruit fresh and prevent excess juice.
Ingredient notes
- Agar-agar sets differently: Agar-agar must come to a proper boil to activate; gentle warming alone will not give the panna cotta a reliable set.
- Use full-fat coconut milk: Full-fat coconut milk gives the best creamy texture and a cleaner set than lighter coconut milk.
- Balance the fruit: Use lime juice sparingly at first, then adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of the berries.
Texture tips
- Whisk until smooth: Make sure the agar-agar is fully dispersed before heating so the finished panna cotta is smooth rather than speckled.
- Keep it undisturbed: Once poured into ramekins, avoid moving the panna cotta while it cools so the structure can set cleanly.
- Boil and whisk steadily: Whisking during the brief boil helps the agar dissolve evenly and prevents a grainy texture.
Make-ahead tips
- Make the bases in advance: The panna cotta can be prepared ahead and kept covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Keep fruit separate: Store the berries separately and add them at the last moment to stop them softening and releasing too much juice.
- Good the next day: The set holds well overnight, making this a practical dessert for entertaining or planned meals.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Set out 4 ramekins. In a saucepan, whisk together the coconut milk, caster sugar, fine sea salt and dried agar-agar until smooth with no visible lumps.
- Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil, whisking often. Once boiling, cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly so the agar-agar fully activates and the mixture looks slightly thicker.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Divide the mixture between the ramekins, then leave to cool for 15 minutes until just warm.
- Chill the panna cotta for at least 2 hours, until softly firm and set with a gentle wobble. If you are serving unmoulded, run a thin knife around the edge and briefly dip the base of each ramekin in warm water, then invert onto plates.
- Finely zest the lime, then squeeze a little juice over the mixed berries and toss gently. Spoon the berries over the chilled panna cotta and finish with a pinch of lime zest.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Agar-agar needs a proper boil to set well, so make sure the mixture bubbles for the full 2 minutes while you whisk.
- For the cleanest set, pour the mixture into the ramekins while it is still hot and fluid, then avoid moving them until they have cooled slightly.
- If serving to anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, use pasteurised coconut milk and wash the berries thoroughly.
Substitutions
- Replace Vanilla extract with vanilla bean paste for a more intense vanilla flavour.
- Replace Lime with lemon for a softer citrus note with the berries.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Keep the panna cotta covered in the fridge and add the mixed berries just before serving to prevent weeping. If already topped, the berries will soften and release juice, but it will still be good the next day.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 3h 10min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Italian
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →
Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa with Milk and Ghee)
Carrot halwa cooked in milk with ghee, cardamom and nuts
Mango Shrikhand (Indian Yoghurt Dessert)
Chilled mango shrikhand made with thick yoghurt and cardamom
Atole de Guayaba (Guava Masa Pudding Drink)
Warm guava atole thickened with masa harina and milk
Crema Catalana (Catalan Custard with Caramelised Sugar)
Chilled cinnamon and citrus custard with a caramelised sugar crust
Queen of Puddings (Breadcrumb Custard with Jam and Meringue)
Breadcrumb custard baked with jam and meringue
Dulce de Camote (Sweet Potato Paste with Cinnamon)
Sliceable sweet potato paste cooked with sugar and cinnamon
Budino di Riso (Tuscan Rice Pudding Tart)
Tuscan rice pudding tart baked in shortcrust pastry
Gorditas de Azúcar (Sweet Fried Masa Cakes)
Sweet fried masa cakes coated in cinnamon sugar
Holiday Flan (Festive Caramel Custard)
Silky baked flan with caramel, vanilla, and sweet milks.
Bignè alla Crema Pasticcera (Italian Choux Buns with Custard)
Crisp choux buns filled with smooth crema pasticcera
Hummingbird Cake
Spiced banana and pineapple cake with cream cheese icing
Eton Mess Parfait
Eton mess parfait with strawberries, cream and meringue
Vegan Panna Cotta with Coconut Milk
Vegan coconut panna cotta set with agar-agar and vanilla
Modern Light Flan
Light vanilla flan baked over caramel and chilled until set
Rote Grütze (German Red Berry Pudding)
Chilled German red berry pudding thickened with cornflour
No-Churn Thai Coconut Ice Cream
No-churn coconut ice cream made with double cream and coconut milk
Cocadas (Mexican Coconut Macaroons)
Chewy coconut macaroons baked into small golden mounds
Caribbean Ginger Beer (Non-Alcoholic Ginger Drink)
Chilled ginger beer with lime, cinnamon and cloves
You might also like
Poke Bowl with Crispy Onions
Salmon poke bowl topped with crunchy crispy fried onions.
Crispy Fried Chicken with Buttermilk and Spiced Flour
Buttermilk fried chicken with a crisp spiced coating
Kourabiedes (Greek Christmas Almond Biscuits)
Greek almond biscuits baked crumbly and dusted with icing sugar
Lingonberry-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Thyme
Chicken thighs simmered in a tangy lingonberry and thyme glaze
Phirni (Chilled Rice Pudding with Saffron)
Chilled phirni rice pudding with cardamom, saffron and nuts
Christmas Sugar Cookies with Vanilla Butter Dough
Buttery vanilla sugar cookies cut into festive shapes
Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
WMF Mini Saucepan 16 cm with Lid
- High-quality stainless steel
- Even heat distribution
- Higher price point
T-fal Specialty Nonstick Handy Pot with Glass Lid 3 Quart
- Easy food release
- Dishwasher safe
- Not induction compatible
All-Clad Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
- Excellent heat control
- Premium build quality
- Expensive
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.
