Dreamy Coconut Tapioca Pudding Recipe: A Sweet Escape

Silky smooth and utterly delightful, this coconut tapioca pudding recipe brings tropical dreams right to your dessert table.

Pearls of tapioca dance through rich, creamy coconut milk, creating a dreamy texture that melts on your tongue.

Each spoonful whispers of sun-drenched beaches and distant island breezes.

The subtle sweetness balances perfectly with the subtle coconut undertones, making this dessert a true crowd-pleaser.

Delicate and elegant, yet wonderfully simple to prepare, this pudding transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Whether you’re seeking a light after-dinner treat or a comforting dessert, this coconut tapioca pudding promises to transport you to a culinary paradise with just one bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 275 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Coconut Tapioca Pudding

• Water: Essential liquid for cooking sago pearls, ensures even hydration and prevents clumping.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that prevents tapioca pearls from sticking and adds gentle flavor complexity.

• Sago Pearls: Delicate starch spheres that create signature chewy texture, choose pure white pearls without discoloration or damage.

• Coconut Milk, Coconut Cream: Tropical component that infuses rich, creamy essence and provides smooth, luxurious mouthfeel, select fresh or high-quality canned versions with minimal additives.

Cooking Tools to Make Tapioca Pudding Smooth

• Medium saucepan: Perfect for boiling water and cooking sago pearls evenly.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for stirring pearls and preventing them from sticking.
• Colander or strainer: Helps rinse and drain tapioca pearls quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring cups: Ensures accurate water and pearl quantities.
• Mixing bowl: Ideal for holding and mixing pearls with honey after cooking.

How to Prepare Creamy Coconut Tapioca

• Initial Water Preparation

Boil water in a medium saucepan over steady heat, creating a rolling liquid canvas for the delicate pearls.

• Sago Pearl Transformation

Gently lower sago pearls into the bubbling water, reducing heat to allow a gentle simmer. Watch as pearls dance and gradually soften, their white centers slowly disappearing into translucent globes.

• Resting Period

Remove from heat, letting the pearls continue their magical journey in the warm liquid. During this quiet moment, they’ll complete their transformation into crystal-clear jewels.

• Final Touches

Rinse the pearls under cool water, creating a refreshing cascade that stops their cooking. Drizzle honey through the pearls, helping them glide smoothly and preventing any unwanted clumping, preparing them for their final delicious destination.

Add-ins and Flavor Tweaks for Tapioca Lovers

• Mix in fresh tropical fruits like diced mango, pineapple, or passion fruit to add a refreshing crunch and bright flavor contrast.
• Sprinkle ground cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg for a warm, aromatic dimension that complements the coconut's creamy sweetness.
• Top with toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of condensed milk to make the dessert visually appealing and add extra layers of texture.

Serving Coconut Tapioca for Dessert

• Tropical Fruit Paradise: Top the pudding with fresh mango chunks, diced pineapple, and passion fruit pulp for a vibrant island-inspired dessert that bursts with sweet and tangy flavors.
• Coconut Crunch Topping: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes and chopped macadamia nuts over the pudding for a delightful textural contrast that adds nutty richness and crunch.
• Caramel Drizzle Delight: Enhance the dessert with a light drizzle of salted caramel sauce or a swirl of honey, creating a luxurious and indulgent finishing touch that complements the creamy coconut base.
• Morning Breakfast Twist: Transform the pudding into a nutritious breakfast by layering it with granola, fresh berries, and a dollop of Greek yogurt for a satisfying and protein-packed morning meal.

Best Storage for Leftover Tapioca

• Refrigerator Haven: Store your coconut tapioca pudding in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the cool zone of your refrigerator. The chilled environment helps maintain the pudding's delicate texture and prevents unwanted flavor absorption.
• Quick Chill Method: After preparing the dessert, allow it to cool at room temperature for no more than 30 minutes, then transfer directly to the refrigerator. This technique ensures optimal taste and prevents potential bacterial growth.
• Portion Magic: Consider dividing the pudding into individual serving containers before refrigerating. Smaller portions make grab-and-go snacking easier and help maintain the pudding's consistent texture when reheating or enjoying cold.
• Freezer Potential: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze tapioca pudding for up to 2 weeks. Transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving a small space at the top for expansion. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and gently stir before serving to restore its creamy consistency.

Silky Coconut Tapioca Pudding

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy coconut tapioca pudding blends tropical flavors from Southeast Asia with delicate pearl textures. Milky sweet dessert rewards palates with gentle coconut essence and silky smooth satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup white tapioca pearls or mini sago pearls (uncooked)
• 1 can (13.5 oz/400 mL) coconut milk
• 6 cups water
• 1 ripe mango (peeled and diced)
• 2–3 tbsps sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tbsp honey

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Ignite a medium saucepan with water, bringing it to a vigorous boil, preparing the liquid stage for sago’s transformation.
2. Pearl Introduction: Delicately immerse sago pearls into the bubbling water, immediately reducing heat to a gentle simmer, allowing gradual cooking without agitation.
3. Pearl Transformation: Tenderly stir pearls throughout 30-40 minutes, observing their gradual transition from opaque to translucent, ensuring they remain independent and avoid clumping at the pan’s base.
4. Resting Phase: Remove from heat, letting pearls absorb remaining liquid and achieve complete transparency through residual warmth, creating a delicate, soft texture.
5. Cooling and Draining: Rinse pearls under cool running water, thoroughly draining excess moisture, then transfer to a mixing bowl for final preparation.
6. Flavor Infusion: Incorporate coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla, gently folding ingredients to create a harmonious, creamy mixture that envelops each pearlescent sphere.
7. Chilling Finale: Refrigerate the pudding for minimum 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and texture to set, transforming the mixture into a luxurious, refreshing dessert.

Notes

• Stir Constantly: Prevent sago pearls from sticking to the pan’s bottom by gently stirring throughout cooking to ensure even heat distribution and perfect pearl texture.
• Watch Pearl Transparency: Look for a subtle white core during initial cooking, which signals the pearls are transforming perfectly and not overcooked.
• Rinse Thoroughly: Cool water rinse is crucial to stop cooking process and remove excess starch, ensuring tapioca pearls remain separate and glossy.
• Temperature Matters: Maintain a gentle simmer, not a vigorous boil, to achieve delicate, translucent pearls without breaking or becoming mushy.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 275
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg