The 20 Best Coconut Cookie Recipes
Coconut is an incredibly versatile ingredient that can be used in both savoury and sweet recipes, including cookies. You can do more than drop a few coconut flakes on top; coconut can be used as a flour substitute so it’s gluten-free.
Coconut adds moisture, texture, and flavour to baked goods like cookies. It also pairs perfectly with chocolate. But coconut can also be enjoyed on its own in a simple, yet decadent coconut macaroon. With just a few ingredients like eggs, sugar, and coconut, you can bake easy and irresistible coconut cookies you can enjoy tonight.
The Best Coconut Cookie Recipes
Check out these delicious coconut cookie recipes for a quick dessert or for bringing to a dinner party, where they’re sure to be a hit!
1. Classic Coconut Macaroons
The simplest coconut cookie, chewy coconut macaroons, contains sweetened shredded coconut, egg whites, and a pinch of salt. Sometimes, vanilla is added for extra flavour. The cookies are baked until lightly golden and then cooled on the baking sheet so the bottom exterior stays crispy while the inside remains moist and tender.
2. Chewy Coconut Oatmeal Cookies
Toasted coconut flakes and old-fashioned whole oats make great textural pairs in recipes. Here the oats contribute added heartiness, fiber, and chewiness contrasting the tropical essence of coconut. Vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt balance the sweetness. Bake midway between crunchy and cakey, depending on preference. Raisins or nut additions are easy mix-ins.
See Coconut Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
3. Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Semi-sweet chocolate chips stud a vanilla-scented coconut cookie dough that gets enhanced by adding an extra egg yolk for rich flavor. Toasting the coconut intensifies flavor notes sure to satisfy chocolate lovers. After the initial baking when the bottom sets, they finish by gently browning the tops. Convection ovens help circulate air for even cooking.
See Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies Recipe
4. Gluten-Free Coconut Cookies
For gluten-sensitive guests, substitute regular wheat flour with fiber-rich coconut flour plus xanthan gum to bind the batter. Stir in unsweetened coconut flakes alongside baking staples like sugar, butter, and eggs. Vanilla and salt add flavor depth. The high oil content makes them tender and aids browning. Ground nuts or cocoa powder easily customize the recipe.
See Gluten-Free Coconut Cookies Recipe
5. Vegan Coconut Cookies with Coconut Butter
Coconut butter offers the creamy fat needed for tender vegan cookies. Paired with almond and cashew flours for crispness and structure, the cookies just need a touch of sugar and salt for sweetness. You can also top them with a drizzle of vegan chocolate. Topped with toasted coconut flakes, they mimic milk and butter counterparts. Add vanilla or cinnamon and decrease sugar to cut the sweetness.
See Vegan Coconut Cookies Recipe
6. Coconut Thumbprint Cookies with Jam
Reminiscent of shortbread, these petite rounds feature a pressed center “thumbprint” indented for holding fruit jam. Raspberry and apricot jam prove popular options allowing the bright tart jam against the subtly sweet cookie. Use quality European-style butter and sprinkle coconut on top before baking.
See Coconut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
7. Salted Caramel Coconut Cookies
Playing to sweet and salty palates, these chewy coconut cookies get stuffed with toasted pecans smothered in homemade salted caramel sauce, yielded from reducing cream and sugar. The contrasting flavors and textures prove highly addictive. For smooth caramel, add corn syrup to the mix.
See Salted Caramel Coconut Cookies Recipe
8. Coconut Snowballs (Russian Tea Cakes)
A beloved holiday classic across many cultures, Snowball cookies feature chopped toasted nuts like almonds or walnuts enveloped in a tender butter-based dough mixed into a cookie that bakes up incredibly melt-in-your-mouth. While still warm, the cookies get generously coated in powdered sugar resembling freshly fallen snowballs.
9. Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies
Buttery, crunchy macadamia nuts shine alongside subtly sweet shredded coconut in these crisp cookies that are like shortbread on steroids. Baking at a precise temperature prevents burning bottom edges but allows nice browned cookie tops. They taste amazing alongside morning coffee or afternoon tea for dunking.
See Coconut Macadamia Nut Cookies Recipe
10. Coconut Mango Cookies
Sweet ripe mangoes pair wonderfully with coconut’s tropical essence in baked goods like these coconut mango cookies. Mix chopped dried mangos into a coconut cookie dough along with fragrant lime zest to amplify the fruit flavors. Additional vanilla enhances the sweetness. For added eye appeal and flavor, top-baked cookies with fresh mango mint salsa.
See Coconut Mango Cookies Recipe
11. Coconut Lime Cookies with White Chocolate
Zesty lime zest and tart juice balance rich vanilla-scented bites of white chocolate mixed into the coconut cookie base increasing richness. Turn them into sandwich cookies with added lime curd or buttercream filling. Lime pairs exceptionally well with coconut in desserts.
See Coconut Lime Cookies Recipe
12. Coconut Shortbread Cookies
European-style all-butter shortbread receives a tropical makeover with the addition of coconut sugar in place of traditional crushed sugar cubes and ample pure coconut extract. These upgrades result in incredibly sophisticated melt-in-your-mouth cookies with deep coconutty essence. Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top to finish.
See Coconut Shortbread Cookies Recipe
13. Coconut Meringue Cookies
This is a Czech coconut cookie recipe and only requires three ingredients. They are wonderfully airy inside and crispy on the outside. The Czechs call them “kokosky,” and are especially popular around the holidays.
See Coconut Meringue Cookies Recipe
14. Brownie Macaroons Recipe
Chocoholics rejoice over these fudgy brownie cookies packing a double punch of chocolate in the batter itself plus chocolate chips kneaded into the dough. A touch of coconut sugar cuts over sweetness allowing chocolate and coconut to shine. Underbaking makes them extra gooey. Let cool completely before gobbling.
15. Spiced Coconut Cookies with Ginger and Cardamom
Vibrant spices like ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and cinnamon provide comforting notes and depth to an already delicious coconut cookie. Additional citrus zest brightens the batter too. Makes the whole house smell like the holidays while baking a large batch.
See Spiced Coconut Cookies Recipe
16. Coconut Alfajores with Dulce de Leche
A beloved South American cookie, Alfajores feature buttery shortbread cookies sandwiching sweet dulce de leche caramel filling, especially popular as a gift. Here coconut makes the crumbly cookies taste tropical; roll the sides in shaved coconut before serving.
See Coconut Alfajores with Dulce de Leche Recipe
17. Coconut Rum Balls (No Bake)
Save time and effort by whipping up edible rum-spiked cookie dough that requires no baking to enjoy right away. Toasted walnuts add crunch mixing into coconut, wafer crumbs, cocoa, and enough booze to cling together when chilled. Simply shape into balls and roll in additional coconut or chocolate sprinkles to serve.
18. Coconut Curry Chocolate Chip Cookies
For an unexpected twist, add warming spices like cumin, turmeric, onion, and garlic with red curry paste and cayenne for gently spicy coconut curry cookies. Cooling cilantro and lime zest add a fresh contrast. Add chocolate chips for a balance of sweet.
See Coconut Curry Cookies Recipe
19. Coconut Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Few can resist the quintessential summer treat of premium ice cream pressed between chewy cookies. Here toasted coconut cookies cradling creamy coconut ginger ice cream make a decadent pairing. Consider unconventional “cookie” bases like brownies or lemon cake too sandwiching favorite ice cream flavors.
See Coconut Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Recipe
20. Coconut Cookie Dough Dip
Blend room temperature coconut butter, powdered sugar, and eggs into a cookie dough you can devour straight from the bowl! Customize by swirling in melted chocolate, peanut butter, nuts, or sprinkles. Dip your coconut cookies in this dip for an irresistible sweet street.
See Coconut Cookie Dough Dip Recipe
The Bottom Line
Every coconut cookie recipe is unique; some with more coconut flavour than others. That’s why there’s a recipe for everyone. There’s also plenty of gluten-free coconut cookie options which can be a great alternative to traditional cookies if you’re gluten intolerant.
