How to Toast Coconut

Coconut from the shell yields the freshest and most authentic flavors.

The flavor of coconut is enhanced when it is toasted. Coconut is most easily purchased in flake form, either sweetened or unsweetened. It is a bit more difficult to use coconut purchased as a whole coconut, because they are infamously difficult to break in to, although this does yield the freshest and most authentic results. Many recipes call for toasted coconut, but few reveal how to toast it.

Things You'll Need

• Coconut flakes
• Confectioners' sugar (optional)
• Baking sheet
• Oven

Instructions

1. Place the unsweetened coconut flakes in a sealable plastic bag. Add 2 or 3 tbsp. of confectioners' sugar to the bag and shake it, distributing all the sugar on the flakes. This step is optional if your coconut flakes are already sweetened, or if you want your toasted coconut flakes to remain unsweetened.

2. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.

3. Lay the coconut flakes on a baking sheet, making sure they are in a single layer.

4. Place the baking sheet into the oven for approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Check on the flakes periodically, in order to achieve the level of toasting you want. Some people prefer that only the edges of the flakes are toasted, leaving the rest of the flake chewy. Others wish the entire flake to be brown. Leave the baking sheet in the oven for as long as it takes to achieve the level of toasting you want.

5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the coconut flakes to cool. Remove the flakes from the baking sheet, as the heat from the sheet will continue to toast the coconut, perhaps beyond the level you desire.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if your recipe calls for regular coconut, toasted coconut will enhance the flavor.

• Watch the toasting coconut carefully to avoid burning.

References

• "Bon Appetit": How To Toast Coconut

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish