18 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.

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

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.

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.

Coconut squares with a buttery graham cracker crust, sweetened condensed milk coconut filling, and chocolate icing on top. An easy no-mixer bar cookie recipe.

Hello Dollys (magic cookie bars) layered with vanilla wafer crumbs, chocolate chips, coconut, pecans, and sweetened condensed milk. No mixing needed, just layer and bake for a gooey, chewy bar.

Hello Dollies are layered magic cookie bars with vanilla wafer crust, pecans, coconut, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, and sweetened condensed milk baked until gooey and golden.

Divine Southern decadence cake: chocolate wafer and toasted coconut crust, dense fudgy chocolate-cashew filling with espresso and hazelnut liqueur, finished with whipped cream and chocolate curls.

A breakfast staple made with organic spelt flour, coconut oil and natural sweetener. Serve with maple syrup on the side and fresh berries or bananas or organic yoghurt. Another option is to soften some apple slices in a little bit of water, vanilla and dash of maple syrup until the liquid reduces and the apples are soft. Sprinkle liberally with cinnamon – reminiscent of apple pie!

Homemade coconut milk from fresh coconut and boiling water. A simple 2-ingredient method for thick or thin coconut milk used in curries, soups, and desserts.

Green smoothies are a wonderful easy way of increasing your leafy green intake - if you are new to green smoothies, start slowly and over time add more greens. The pineapple in the smoothie contains powerful digestive enzymes, while the spinach is loaded with iron. Coconut water is a wonderful way to quench your thirst while replenishing electrolytes - did you know that it was used by doctors during World War II to do transfusions when donor plasma was not available?

Creamy frozen peach drink blended with peach ice cream, coconut cream, and soda water, served in a chilled glass with fresh mint. A tropical non-alcoholic treat.