31 coconut water recipes

This tropical fruit is not only beautiful to look at, but is also highly nutritious. It contains significant amounts of heart-healthy fibre, antioxidants, vitamin C and has been shown to keep blood glucose levels stable. Chia seeds provide a boost of omega-3 fatty acids.

A favourite served at Din Tai Fung gets a healthy make-over. Water spinach, commonly known as kangkong, is rich in fibre, magnesium, vitamins A and C and is very low in calories. Word of caution: do not eat it raw as it may carry parasitic cysts from the waterways that are its natural habitat.

A creamy dessert combining coconut, dragon fruit and cashew nuts. Dragon fruit is a rich source of antioxidants and fibre, cashews deliver heart-protective monosaturated fats, while the fat contained in coconut meat has been shown to exhibit anti-microbial, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconuts also contain lauric acid (found most abundantly in mothers’ milk) which is an important immune system booster. Despite its bad reputation, coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils available.

Non-alcoholic pina colada flip made with pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and club soda, topped with vanilla ice cream. A fizzy tropical drink ready in 5 minutes.

Fresh fruit ambrosia with a blended banana and orange juice dressing, spiced with nutmeg and cardamom, topped with coconut. No mayo, no marshmallows.

Traditional Middle Eastern semolina cake drenched in lemon syrup. This easy yogurt-based dessert bakes golden brown and soaks up fragrant citrus syrup for a moist, tender treat perfect with tea.

Middle Eastern semolina cake soaked in citrus syrup and topped with toasted almonds. This yogurt-based dessert bakes up golden with a tender, moist crumb that pairs beautifully with tea.

Hawaiian turkey salad with brown rice, pineapple chunks, water chestnuts, macadamia nuts, apple, and a yogurt-pineapple juice dressing. A tropical main dish salad topped with toasted coconut.

No-bake chocolate pecan rum balls rolled in shredded coconut. Ground pecans, crushed chocolate wafers, dark rum, and honey make 100 bite-sized holiday treats.

No-bake cappuccino truffles rolled in cocoa-sugar or coconut, made with instant coffee, marshmallow cream, chocolate wafer crumbs, and pecans. Makes 60 bite-sized treats in 30 minutes.

No-bake mini burger cookies made from vanilla wafers, chocolate mint patties, dyed coconut lettuce, and white frosting. A fun kids party treat that looks like tiny hamburgers.

Layered chocolate candy squares with vanilla wafer crumbs, walnuts, chocolate chips, and coconut baked in a brown sugar-evaporated milk glaze. No-mixer, one-pan treat.

No-bake cherry rum balls rolled in powdered sugar, made with vanilla wafer crumbs, coconut, chopped nuts, and sweet cherries. This batch recipe yields 100 bite-sized treats.

Orange balls are a no-bake holiday classic: crushed vanilla wafers mixed with butter, powdered sugar, frozen orange juice concentrate, and pecans, rolled in coconut for a bright citrus bite.

Hamburger cookies made with vanilla wafers as buns, chocolate mint cookies as patties, green-tinted coconut as lettuce, and sesame seed tops. A fun no-bake kids' treat.

Graham wafer coconut pie crust, perfect for a key lime pie.