Toast Coconut

Toasting coconut is useful for a range of cooking needs, such as baking goodies and to enhance the coconut "nuttiness" of many dishes. Toasting coconut is quick, easy, and can be done in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave.

Steps

Toasting Coconut in the Oven

  1. Preheat the oven. Turn on the oven and preheat it to 350°F/176°C or 325°F/163ºC.[1][2] There can be some slight variation in the temperature of the oven, depending on how quickly or slowly you wish to toast the coconut.
    • Since coconut browns rather quickly, a slower cooking process with a lower temperature (325°F/163ºC or 300°F/149ºC) is suggested. But, if you are toasting freshly grated coconut, preheat the oven to 350°F/176°C.[3][4] Because the coconut will be damp since it's fresh, it may need to toast a bit longer to completely dry out all the pieces.
    • Alternatively, you can also toast coconut in a toaster oven. Simply preheat the toaster oven to 325°F or 163ºC.[5]
  2. Prepare the baking sheet. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread out a thin layer of about ½ a cup of shredded, flaked, or powdered coconut.[1]
    • Keep that in mind that sweetened coconut will toast faster than unsweetened coconut.[6]
    • The finer the pieces of coconut, the faster they will toast.
    • If you’re toasting your coconut in a toaster oven, line the baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out a thin layer of about ½ a cup of shredded, flaked, or powdered coconut.[7]
  3. Toast the coconut. Put the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for approximately 5-10 minutes at 350°F/180ºC.[2] If you have the oven set at a lower temperature, it could take approximately 20 minutes to toast all of the coconut.[8] If you are toasting fresh coconut, it could take approximately 12-18 minutes to completely toast.[4] Keep your eye on the coconut as it toasts. After about five minutes, stir the coconut and look for any pieces that are golden brown. Remove any golden brown pieces of coconut and continue to toast the rest for a few more minutes.
    • If you’re toasting your coconut in a toaster oven, at 325°F or 163ºC, it should take approximately 4-7 for finely shredded, unsweetened coconut to toast, approximately 7-12 minutes for large flaked unsweetened coconut to toast, and approximately 7-10 minutes for normally shredded, sweetened coconut to toast.[5]
    • Continue to check on the coconut and stir it every couple of minutes.
    • Do not let the coconut become too dark. A light, golden brown coloring indicates that the coconut is adequately toasted.
  4. Store the toasted coconut. Remove the coconut from the oven and pour it onto some parchment paper or into a bowl. You can either use the toasted coconut right away after it cools, or store it in an airtight container for up to four days until you’re ready to use it.[9][5]

Toasting Coconut on the Stove

  1. Set the heat for the burner. Place a large pan on a stove burner and heat the pan under medium flame.[10]
  2. Add in the coconut. Once the pan has had a couple of minutes to warm up, add the shredded, flaked, or powdered coconut to the pan. Toast about ½ a cup (a large handful) of coconut at a time.[1] This will make the toasting process quicker and easier.
  3. Stir the coconut. Use a wooden spoon to stir the coconut for about 2-5 minutes. Continue stirring the coconut until it starts to turn a light golden brown.
    • Remember, if the coconut is sweetened, it will brown faster than unsweetened coconut.[6]
  4. Store the toasted coconut. Once the coconut has reached a light golden brown and it’s toasted to your satisfaction, turn off the flame to the stove, and slide the coconut onto parchment paper or onto a plate to cool.[11] Place the cooled coconut in airtight container for storage.

Microwaving to Toast Coconut

  1. Spread the coconut in a container. Spread about 1/2 cup of coconut evenly in a microwaveable, glass dish.[12] Make sure that the coconut is spread out evenly in the bottom of the glass dish.
  2. Microwave the coconut. Put the dish in the microwave and cook the coconut for one minute.[13] After one minute, stir the coconut and check to see if it is toasted to your satisfaction. If the coconut isn’t toasted enough, put it back in the microwave and cook it for another minute.
    • Continue to microwave the coconut in one-minute intervals, stirring the coconut between each interval, until it turns a golden brown.[14] It should take about 2-3 minutes to brown.
    • Sweetened coconut will brown (and perhaps burn) faster than unsweetened coconut. Keep this in mind as you microwave the coconut.
    • Be very careful to keep an eye on the coconut. The coconut in the center of the dish can easily brown and burn in a microwave. That’s why stirring the coconut around is so important.
  3. Store the coconut. After you have reached a satisfactory toasting of the coconut, pour the coconut onto a plate to cool and use, or into an airtight container to store for later.[11] Consume quickly, as it won't retain a nice flavor for long after being toasted.

Tips

  • Toasted coconut can be stored in an airtight container for up to a month. Keep in a dry and dark storage area. Use as soon as possible after toasting to ensure the best flavor.

Warnings

  • Use caution around hot stoves. Keep pan handles turned inwards to keep from bumping the pan off the stove.

Things You'll Need

Toasting Coconut in the Oven

  • Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Aluminum foil
  • Parchment paper or bowl
  • Airtight container (optional)

Toasting Coconut on the Stove

  • Stove or burner
  • Frying pan
  • Parchment paper or plate
  • Airtight container (optional)

Toasting Coconut in the Microwave

  • Microwave-safe dish
  • Wooden spoon
  • Plate
  • Airtight container (optional)

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://www.marthastewart.com/334712/toasted-coconut
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/how-to-toast-coconut/
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qN_yTEgge4
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2013/07/how-to-prepare-fresh-coconut/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://toasterovenlove.com/how-to-toast-coconut-in-your-toaster-oven/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/how-to-toast-coconut/
  7. ↑ http://toasterovenlove.com/how-to-toast-coconut-in-your-toaster-oven/
  8. ↑ http://bakingbites.com/2009/01/how-to-toast-coconut/
  9. ↑ http://www.cookingclarified.com/2011/03/how-to-toast-coconut/
  10. ↑ http://bakingbites.com/2009/01/how-to-toast-coconut/
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://www.cookingclarified.com/2011/03/how-to-toast-coconut/
  12. ↑ http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2013/10/20/toasting-coconut/
  13. ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/cooking-uses-for-your-microwave/toast-coconut
  14. ↑ http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/cooking-tips-techniques/cooking-uses-for-your-microwave/toast-coconut
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Toast_Coconut&oldid=325208"