Desiccated Coconut Recipe

Feel the summer vibe anytime by making yummy, nutty, and natural Desiccated Coconut!

What is desiccated coconut? It is basically coconut meat that you need to dry and grate until fine. You can use it whenever you want to add a nutty and sweet flavor to your recipe.

It’s one of my favorite one-ingredient recipes because it’s easy and quick to make at home. Even if it’s made from scratch, it still gives the best flavors!

Aside from the flavor it gives, you can also expect lots of health benefits from it. Take your diet to the next level with organic, yummy, and simple desiccated coconuts!

How to Make Desiccated Coconut

Making desiccated coconut is easier than it seems. From a whole coconut fruit, you can turn it into a versatile food. Don’t worry, everything will be worth it!

Ingredient

Coconut

Join the coconut craze to experience the healthy and filling effects of the coconut!

It may be firm on the outside, but it’s full of surprises on the inside. The coconut is like a two-in-one fruit because it has coconut meat and coconut water.

You will surely find the coconut water delicious. On the other hand, the coconut meat is chewy, nutty, and sweet. And one of the best things you can do with coconut meat is desiccated coconut!

Whether it’s summer or not, we always have coconuts at home. I love using these fruits for Nigerian Egg Rolls, Coconut Chin Chin, and Coconut Rice for the family!

From now on, these fruits will never go to waste. Turn them into tasty and healthy desiccated coconuts!

Directions

Check out how easy it is to make desiccated coconuts!

1. Break the coconut open and slice it.
2. Then, peel off the brown skin.
3. Grate the coconut meat with a grater. 
4. Line a tray with parchment paper.
5. Spread the coconut evenly on the tray.
6. Cover the tray with a food net cover.
7. Then, let it air dry for several days.
8. Once dried, transfer it into a jar or resealable bag to store.

Trust me, making desiccated coconut does not get easier than this. It’s a natural way of using coconut meat to improve your dishes and your health!

Tips

Buying Coconuts

• Shake the coconuts to check for water sounds inside.
• The more liquid they have inside, the fresher they are.
• As suggested by Tasting Table, a fresh coconut should have a solid and heavy weight.
• Additionally, the huk should not have cracks on it. 
• One of the eyes of the coconuts should be thinner and softer.
• The thin and soft eye should also not have molds.

Opening Coconuts

Here’s a quick guide on how you can easily open these fruits:

1. Poke the soft eye with a knife.
2. Push the knife inside until you reach the center of the fruit.
3. Then, flip the coconut onto the glass to get the coconut water.
4. Set the coconut water aside. 
5. Use a hammer to break the coconut open.
6. Turn the coconut as you break it open.
7. Once you see a crack, it will be easier to break it apart. 

Storing Coconuts

• Store whole coconuts at room temperature for a few months.
• Once opened, put them in bags and store them in the fridge for up to five days. 
• On the other hand, store peeled and sliced ones in the fridge for two days.
• Otherwise, freeze them in freezer bags to extend their shelf life to four months. 

Grating Coconuts

If you don’t have a grater, then you can use a food processor o a miller. You can also finely chop it with a knife instead. 

Dehydrating Coconuts

Try these other methods to prepare this condiment. You can do it using these ways too.

Oven

1. Spread the grated coconut meat on the tray.
2. Cook it in the oven at 60°C for at least an hour.
3. Then, shake the baking tray every 20 minutes.
4. Take them out of the oven once dried.

Dehydrator

1. Arrange the coconut meat on the dehydrator tray.
2. Then, set the machine to 40°C.
3. Let it dry for about four to six hours.

Desiccated Coconut Variations

Aside from the classic desiccated coconut version, you can try the sweet variety. According to Alpha Foodie, mix four teaspoons of sugar in a quarter cup of sugar. Then, stir in the plain grated coconut. Cook these together until fully mixed.

Once the liquid absorbs, spread the remaining contents on a tray and let it dry in the air or use an oven or dehydrator. Alternatively, you can replace the sugar with maple syrup or honey for better options.

Recommended Tools

• Grater: Grate the coconuts using a grater. 
• Knife: Open and peel the coconut with a knife. 
• Tray: Dry the coconut meat on a tray. 
• Parchment paper: Line the tray with this paper.
• Food net cover: Cover the tray to protect it from insects.
• Jar: Store the desiccated coconut in a jar.

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How to Use Desiccated Coconuts

One of the easiest ways to use desiccated coconut is to add it to cereal and baked goods. You can also have them as snacks! It’s also perfect for salads, toppings, smoothies, and sauces. 

Moreover, I suggest using it for delicious dishes such as:

• Nigerian Coconut Rolls
• Coconut Chin Chin
• Coconut Rice

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Store the desiccated coconut in a jar or resealable bag. Keep it at room temperature to last up to several months. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is desiccated coconut? 

Desiccated coconut is grated and dried coconut meat from natural fruit. It is peeled, grated, and dried at room temperature or using an oven or dehydrator. 

What is the difference between shredded coconut and desiccated coconut?

Shredded coconut is moist coconut meat; you don’t need to dry it. It is grated and stored immediately. On the other hand, you need to grate and dry desiccated coconut before use and storage. 

What is desiccated coconut made of?

It is made up purely of coconut meat. However, the sweet version includes sugar and water. Make sure to use fresh coconuts to make it last longer.

Where does desiccated coconut come from?

Desiccated coconut comes from organic coconut meat. You need to grate and dehydrate or dry it to get the texture that you need.