This lemon and coconut “panna cotta” recipe is an easy, dairy-free variation. my original 2-ingredient panna cotta. I loved the idea of keeping the method just as simple, but making it suitable for people who avoid dairy or just love the flavor of coconut.
What I love about my 2-ingredient, dairy-free lemon coconut panna cotta
Panna cotta always seems to me to be a restaurant dessert, something a little sophisticated. I love that this version allows you to recreate this experience at home with supermarket ingredients and almost effortlessly. Despite its impressive appearance, there’s no gelatin to bloom, no cream to heat, and no tricky steps. The jelly does all the work for you.
I tried a few jelly flavors while testing and the mango and passion fruit version was amazing. However, the lemon one surprised me the most: it’s very creamy and tastes like a light and tangy lemon cheesecake.
You can also make these panna cottas in advance. They should be taken for 3 hours, but they will also keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For a perfect result when turning the panna cotta, briefly immerse the bottom of the glass in lukewarm water to facilitate unmolding. If you serve them in glasses, rather than unmolding them, you can avoid greasing the molds.
💡Tip: Whip it gently
The key is to whisk gently once the yogurt is in. This keeps the mixture silky and avoids a lot of bubbles on the surface.
The key ingredients of my lemon “panna cotta” recipe
- Airplane Jelly Lite Lemon Flavored Jelly Crystals: the light version offers the best balance between flavor and sweetness. Regular jelly crystals also work, but the result will be noticeably sweeter and a bit firmer. Feel free to experiment with other flavors.
- Plain coconut yogurt: This keeps the panna cotta dairy-free while adding richness. For a sweeter finish, vanilla coconut yogurt is a great swap.
- Lemon (optional): a little freshly grated lemon zest and small wedges of lemon slices are optional when serving, but they provide bright flavor and a fresh, refined look.
If you like this one, try my original 2-ingredient panna cottaand feast your eyes more delicious dairy-free dessert ideas.
Recipe, images, video and notes from senior food editor Elisa Pietrantonio.
