Toasted coconut flakes adds a fun, tropical flavor element to any dish it’s added to. Here’s a quick tutorial on three ways to easily toast coconut flakes yourself.
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From using toasted coconut flakes to add texture to baked goods or as a topping over pancakes or yogurt, any coconut lover will surely appreciate the developed flavor derived from toasted coconut flakes, elegant but a bit nutty. Making your own ensures you are ingesting fewer preservatives than the ready-made kind you may pick up at your local grocery store. Plus, while making your own, you’re able to control how toasted the flakes are, from lightly browned to on the crunchier side.
After making a batch of your own, use some to top off a delightful tropical mango parfait for you and your friends!
INGREDIENTS

Only one ingredient is needed here, coconut. You can purchase dry, shredded coconut or flaked coconut in the bakery isle of most grocery stores. I opted for an organic, unsweetened shredded coconut, but you can choose which ever kind you prefer. Sweetened coconut flakes can be used, however, the cooking time may need to be reduced as the sugar can easily burn.
HOW TO MAKE TOASTED COCONUT FLAKES
There are multiple ways to make toasted coconut flakes, either in an oven or convection oven, in the microwave or on the stove top. We’ll cover all three ways, starting with my preferred method, in the oven or convection oven.
THE OVEN METHOD
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add your desired amount of unsweetened, shredded coconut over the parchment paper. Spread out the flakes to make an even layer.

- Bake for five minutes. Remove from the oven when the coconut flakes turn into a nice golden color.

- Allow to cool to room temperature. Store the toasted coconut flakes into an airtight container in the pantry and use as needed.
Pros & Cons: The oven method toasts the coconut flakes most evenly, but it is the most time-consuming as you have to wait for the oven to warm-up.
THE STOVE-TOP METHOD
- Add your desired amount of unsweetened shredded coconut flakes into a medium to large size skillet.
- Cook the flakes over low-medium heat. Stir frequently until the coconut flakes turn into a nice golden color.
- Allow to cool to room temperature. Store the toasted coconut flakes into an airtight container in the pantry and use as needed.
Prose & Cons: The stove-top method is quick, but the coconut flakes will be a mixture of flakes that are crisp, toasted, to still raw.
THE MICROWAVE METHOD
- Spread your desired amount of unsweetened shredded coconut flakes in a large microwave safe dish.
- Microwave in one minute intervals, stirring the flakes in between, until a golden color is reached.
- Allow to cool to room temperature. Store the toasted coconut flakes into an airtight container in the pantry and use as needed.
Pros & Cons: The microwave method is the quickest way to make toasted coconut. However, the flakes are not crispy, which kind of defeats the purpose.
TIP: If using sweetened coconut flakes, pay closer attention to the flakes, since the sugar will cause the flakes to brown quicker. If you are using unsweetened coconut flakes and want to add a little sweetness. Toss the flakes in powdered sugar after toasting.
HOW TO USE TOASTED COCONUT FLAKES
Level up many of your favorite recipes with toasted coconut flakes in the following ways:
- As a Topping: Sprinkle toasted coconut over a coconut cream pie, a coconut cake, pancakes, yogurt or ice-cream for a little crunch.
- As a Mix-in: Add coconut to your favorite baked goods, such as chocolate chip cookies, muffins or cakes.
- As a Crust: Toasted coconut can be a fun crust option for shrimp, fish or even chicken.

Toasted Coconut Flakes Recipe
Ingredients
- Desired amount of dry unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
How to toast coconut flakes in an oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add your desired amount of unsweetened shredded coconut over the parchment paper. Spread out to make an even layer.
- Bake for five minutes. Remove from the oven when the coconut flakes turn into a nice golden color.
- Allow to cool to room temperature. Store the toasted coconut flakes into an airtight container in the pantry and use as needed.
How to toast coconut flakes on the stove top
- Add your desired amount of unsweetened shredded coconut in a medium to large size skillet.
- Cook the flakes over low-medium heat. Stir frequently until the coconut flakes turn into a nice golden color.
- Allow to cool to room temperature. Store the toasted coconut flakes into an airtight container in the pantry and use as needed.
How to toast coconut flakes in the microwave
- Spread your desired amount of unsweetened shredded coconut flakes in a large microwave safe dish.
- Microwave in one minute intervals, stirring the flakes in between, until a golden color is reached.
- Allow to cool to room temperature. Store the toasted coconut flakes into an airtight container in the pantry and use as needed.
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