Coconut milk powder is a versatile dairy-free alternative to regular milk that has a wide variety of uses in cooking.
Made from dried, powdered coconut milk, this handy ingredient has a long shelf life and is easy to store.
When mixed with hot water, coconut milk powder instantly produces creamy coconut milk that can be used just like the canned variety.
How to Make Coconut Milk from the Powder
Making coconut milk from the powder only requires a few simple ingredients and steps.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons coconut milk powder
- 1 cup hot water
Instructions:
- Place the coconut milk powder into a blender, bowl, or jar.
- Slowly pour in the hot water while stirring continuously to avoid clumping.
- Mix thoroughly until the powder dissolves and you have a smooth, creamy milk.
To make thick coconut cream, simply use less water when mixing, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup. You can always thin it out later by stirring in more water if needed.
Key Takeaway: Coconut milk powder mixed with hot water easily produces coconut milk or cream for recipes. Use less water for thicker cream.
Cooking Uses for Coconut Milk Powder
There are endless ways to utilize coconut milk powder's creamy texture and sweet flavor in recipes across a variety of cuisines. Here are some of the top uses:
Curries, Stews, and Soups
Coconut milk is a staple ingredient in many Thai, Indian, Caribbean, and African curries, stews, and soups. The powder blends beautifully into the sauce, carrying the herbs and spices. Try adding a few tablespoons into any recipe that calls for coconut milk from a can. The powder also helps thicken and enhance the flavors.
Some dishes that work well with coconut milk powder:
- Coconut curry: red, green or massaman
- Lentil dhal
- Chickpea curry
- Sweet potato and spinach curry
- Callaloo (Caribbean green leafy vegetable soup)
- Leek and potato soup
Sauces and Dips
Stir coconut milk powder into your favorite sauce or dip recipe to lend exotic flavor and creamy texture without dairy. The powder dissolves easily when mixed with liquids and fats, making it an ideal thickener. Whisk some into stir fry sauces, aioli, cheese dips, or gravies.
Baking
For dairy-free baking, coconut milk powder can replace regular milk or cream in recipes for cakes, muffins, pancakes, and more. It adds moisture and binds ingredients together. When baking cookies, try substituting the powder for some of the regular flour. Recipes like shortbread and sugar cookies turn out tender and deliciously tropical tasting.
Other baked goods to try:
- Frosting and buttercream
- Polvoron (Filipino shortbread cookies)
- Cupcakes and muffins
Drinks
Mix a spoonful or two of coconut milk powder into any hot or cold drink for a major flavor upgrade. It shines in tropical cocktails like pina coladas or blended up in a strawberry daiquiri. The powder also makes an indulgent dairy-free addition to:
- Smoothies: Blend into fruit smoothies
- Milkshakes: Use as the base for chocolate or strawberry shakes
- Hot chocolate: Sweetens up a mug of hot cocoa
- Coffee drinks: Delicious stirred into lattes, cappuccinos or just regular coffee
Breakfasts
Start your day with a bit of coconut milk powder stirred into breakfast foods like:
- Oatmeal: Creamy, subtly sweet oats
- Pancakes and waffles: Fluffier and more moist
- Porridge: Add richness to rice porridge or congee
- Yogurt: Stir into dairy or non-dairy yogurt
- Overnight oats: Soak oats in coconut milk
Rice, Grains and Beans
The natural creaminess of coconut milk powder infuses well into rice, beans, quinoa or other grains. Try these ideas:
- Coconut rice
- Rice and peas
- Coconut quinoa
- Red beans and rice
Desserts
For dairy-free ice cream, mix coconut milk powder with your preferred milk then freeze in an ice cream maker. It also shines in no-churn recipes. Or make an easy mousse by whipping chilled coconut cream made from the powder with sugar. More sweet treats to try:
- Coconut pudding
- Cookies like macaroons
- Fruit crumbles
- Pumpkin or banana bread
As you can see, the options are nearly endless when cooking with coconut milk powder. It brings rich coconut essence and velvety texture to both sweet and savory recipes across an array of world cuisines. Keep some on hand for an easy way to make dairy-free milk and cream or lend tropical character to everyday meals.
Best Brands of Coconut Milk Powder
When shopping for coconut milk powder, check the label carefully to ensure you’re getting a high quality product free of unnecessary additives. Look for:
- Organic: Ideally USDA certified
- Single origin: Powder made from coconuts grown in just one tropical region
- No additives: Avoid added preservatives, stabilizers, sugars or fillers
- Resealable packaging Keeps moisture out between uses
Some top recommended brands:
- Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk Powder
- Wildly Organic Coconut Milk Powder
- Let’s Do Organic Coconut Milk Powder
Buying organic powders from reputable brands ensures you get the best tasting, high nutrition coconut milk for your recipes.
FAQs
Is coconut milk powder gluten free?
Yes, coconut milk powder is naturally gluten free. But always check labels if avoiding gluten since some brands may contain fillers or additives with gluten components.
Can you use regular powdered milk in place of coconut milk powder?
You can substitute them equally in recipes, but the flavor will be quite different. Coconut powder provides sweetness, tropical essence, and creaminess while dairy powder lacks those qualities. Adjust other ingredients like sugar if swapping.
Do you have to mix coconut milk powder with water first before using?
No, while coconut milk powder is convenient for making instant milk or cream, you can also just stir the dry powder right into batters, liquids, sauces or anything requiring coconut flavor. It blends smoothly into both sweet and savory recipes.
What is the difference between coconut cream and coconut milk made from the powder?
Coconut cream is thicker, richer, and contains more fat. To make it, combine coconut milk powder with less water compared to regular milk, about 1/2 cup water to a few tablespoons of powder. Coconut milk uses a higher proportion of water to dilute it down.
Can coconut milk powder go bad or spoil?
Properly stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from humidity, coconut milk powder lasts 12-18 months before quality declines. Heat, moisture and humidity causes faster spoilage through clumping or rancidity. Discard if smells “off” or tastes sour.
Conclusion
Coconut milk powder delivers the taste and versatility of canned coconut milk in an easy to use, shelf-stable ingredient.
Mix it with hot water for instant coconut milk and cream, or stir the powder directly into recipes ranging from curries to cookies and everything in between.