Last Updated on February 28, 2023
Coconut flakes are great garnishes that are only increasing in popularity. So, to make them even better, we will look at how to color coconut flakes!
Making colored coconut is a quick and easy way to create fun and even more elaborate baked goods! It will enable you to bring across a theme much better while still adding texture and a delicious fresh coconut flavor.
What Are Coconut Flakes?
Coconut flakes are one of four main forms of dried coconut. We know! It is hard to believe that there are so many options available on the market! But, that’s what makes the food industry so great! You can choose an option that suits your needs exactly!
These flakes specifically are mainly used to add beautiful detail to the tops of baked goods and other dishes. But, they also function to add a little bit of added texture to each bite.
Coconut flakes, also called coconut shavings, look exactly like you would imagine them to. They are larger flat pieces of coconut that have a slight curl to them. These shavings differ from other forms of dried coconut in that they are much larger and aren’t incorporated into dishes. Rather, they are mostly used as a garnish.
So, if you thought they aren’t already uber tempting to use for your recipes, wait until you hear how you can color these flakes!
Why would you need to color coconut flakes?
Why would you want to learn how to color coconut flakes? Well, because you can! And because this will enable you to add them to more theme-oriented cakes.
In their raw and toasted forms, they are a shade of white and light brown. So, aesthetically they only really go well with a few types of products. But, if you are making a superhero-themed cake (as an example), you can now add similarly colored flakes as garnishes!
It is also just an easy way to create something new and unique. You can use these flakes to coat truffles or cake pops, add a colorful garnish to donuts, and to make delicious fun confetti for cakes.
What You Will Need To Color Coconut Flakes
Ingredients
- Coconut flakes, untoasted
- Food coloring of your choice, liquid or gel
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Fork, spoon, or toothpick
- Glass container or zip-lock bag
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Combine the ingredients
To start, add the coconut flakes into a bowl. Make sure you have no attachments to this bowl or container, as the food coloring will stain it. Alternatively, using clear glass bowls is the best option to prevent any staining.
Then, add a drop of food coloring to your flakes.
Step 2: Mix the ingredients
Once your food coloring is added, start mixing the ingredients together. Work gently so that you can avoid crushing the beautiful flakes.
You can use a metal fork, spoon, or a toothpick to stir the flakes around. Keep stirring until you see that all of the flakes are more or less a uniform color.
Don’t get discouraged if they don’t immediately turn the color you want. It does take a while to spread the color to all the flakes. This is further lengthened by having to work gently because of how fragile they are.
Step 3: Adjust the color
Once you have your final color, you can make adjustments to the shade. Just add another drop or two of food coloring. But, be careful to not overdo it. If you do, the flakes may become soggy and stick to each other.
Keep mixing in the new coloring until you have a uniform product.
Step 4: Use or store the coconut flakes
If you aren’t going to be using the coconut flakes immediately, we recommend storing them inside a resealable ziplock bag. This way you won’t have to stain any plastic containers.
You can also place them in mason jars or other airtight glass containers.
Keep the colored coconut flakes in a cool, dark, and dry place until you are ready to use them.
Tips And Tricks – How To Color Coconut Flakes The Best Way
- You can also make colored toasted coconut flakes. But the key to doing so is toasting the coconut flakes before you add the food coloring. During the toasting process, moisture is removed and the flakes are made darker (more brown). So, if you try to toast the colored flakes, the color may change and even burn!
- After your coconut flakes have been toasted, make sure they cool completely before you add coloring to them. Otherwise, they will lose their crispy texture.
- We love using gel food coloring above all other types. It has the most concentrated color so you need the least amount of drops. Plus, the bottles always come with a tiny nozzle. This makes it easy to control how much coloring you can add. The liquid food coloring will also work, but be very careful to not add too much.
- We don’t really recommend using powdered food coloring. It will not coat all of the flakes evenly. The wet colorings help stain the surface of the flakes, while the powdered coloring will need to adhere to it.
- If you want to make finer flakes, then add the coconut flakes with coloring into a zip-lock bag. You can move the pieces around using gently pressing movements with your fingers. This will help crush the flakes and color them at the same time.
- The above-mentioned technique will work for any type of dried coconut. The only thing that will change is how much food coloring you have added.
Final Thoughts
This tutorial on how to color coconut flakes contains everything you would possibly need to know! It is easy to do, not to mention incredibly quick! And, it is a great way to change things up in a unique way!
Let us know what you think in the comments below! And, feel free to share this article with your fellow bakers and community!
How To Color Coconut Flakes In 3 Quick And Easy Steps
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Fork, spoon, or toothpick
- Glass container or zip-lock bag
Ingredients
- Coconut flakes, untoasted
- Food coloring of your choice, liquid or gel
Instructions
- Combine the ingredientsTo start, add the coconut flakes into a bowl. Make sure you have no attachments to this bowl or container, as the food coloring will stain it. Alternatively, using clear glass bowls is the best option to prevent any staining.Then, add a drop of food coloring to your flakes.Coconut flakes, untoasted, Food coloring of your choice, liquid or gel
- Mix the ingredientsOnce your food coloring is added, start mixing the ingredients together. Work gently so that you can avoid crushing the beautiful flakes.You can use a metal fork, spoon, or a toothpick to stir the flakes around. Keep stirring until you see that all of the flakes are more or less a uniform color.Don't get discouraged if they don't immediately turn the color you want. It does take a while to spread the color to all the flakes. This is further lengthened by having to work gently because of how fragile they are.
- Adjust the colorOnce you have your final color, you can make adjustments to the shade. Just add another drop or two of food coloring. But, be careful to not overdo it. If you do, the flakes may become soggy and stick to each other.Keep mixing in the new coloring until you have a uniform product.
- Use or store the coconut flakesIf you aren't going to be using the coconut flakes immediately, we recommend storing them inside a resealable ziplock bag. This way you won't have to stain any plastic containers.You can also place them in mason jars or other airtight glass containers.Keep the colored coconut flakes in a cool, dark, and dry place until you are ready to use them.
Notes
FAQs
Can you color coconut flakes?
You can color coconut flakes using simple food coloring. Just combine the flakes with a few drop of liquid coloring and keep mixing until you have a uniform product.
Can you add food coloring to coconut flakes?
You can add food coloring to coconut flakes to create unique colorful garnishes. You can use gel food coloring or liquid food coloring. Try avoid using powdered food coloring as it doesn't work as well.
How do I color coconut?
The best way to color coconut is to add the dried pieces to a stain-proof bowl and add your gel or liquid food coloring. Then, keep mixing until the coconut has been uniformly colored.
Can you color toasted coconut?
You can color toasted coconut flakes. But, make sure to toast the coconut before coloring it. Otherwise, it may burn the color and change it completely. Furthermore, toasted colored coconut flakes will make them go soggy, not crispy like you want them to.
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.