We've all had those moments—craving something sweet, quick, and homemade, but not wanting to fuss with a bunch of ingredients or long prep times. That's where these chewy coconut macaroons come in.
They're simple, satisfying, and packed with natural coconut flavor. If you've never made these before, now's the time. Let's turn your kitchen into a mini bakery together!
These cookies check all the right boxes: crispy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside, and naturally gluten- and dairy-free. And the best part? They only need 5 basic ingredients—most of which you probably already have at home. No special skills needed, and no chilling the dough either!
Here's your grocery list:
4 egg whites (room temperature)
½ cup (100g) sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
4¾ cups (385g) sweetened shredded coconut
Optional but amazing: Melted chocolate for dipping or drizzling.
If you want to level things up, keep reading for flavor variations!
Sweetened shredded coconut works best here because it's moist and slightly sticky—perfect for holding these cookies together. Don't skip this step: pulse the coconut in a food processor or chop it up with a tool to make the pieces smaller. This helps the cookies hold their shape and makes the texture way better.
Start by whisking the egg whites, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract together using a mixer. Just mix until it gets foamy and the sugar dissolves a bit—this takes about one minute. Be careful not to overmix, or the cookies can turn out dry.
Next, gently fold in the chopped coconut. Mix well so every bit is covered in that sweet, eggy mixture.
Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form little mounds of dough—about 1.5 tablespoons each—and place them 2 inches apart. These cookies don't spread much while baking, so what you scoop is pretty much what you'll get.
Bake at 325°F (163°C) for 20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly golden. Don't overbake—they'll get dry quickly!
While they're amazing plain, these coconut macaroons are super flexible. Here are some fun ways to make them extra special:
- Chocolate Dipped: Melt some semi-sweet or dark chocolate and dip the bottoms once the cookies cool.
- Chocolate Almond: Add an almond on top and drizzle with chocolate for an Almond Joy-style treat.
- White Chocolate Cranberry: Mix dried cranberries into the dough and drizzle white chocolate on top.
- Colorful Sprinkles: Stir in a handful of sprinkles (but skip the little round nonpareils—they bleed).
Strawberry or Almond Butter Flavors: Try swapping in some freeze-dried strawberry powder or almond butter for a twist!
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, pop them in the fridge for a week or freeze them for up to 3 months. They hold up great!
You can prep the dough a few days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge until you're ready to bake. It's perfect if you're planning for a party or just want something sweet on standby.
Don't overmix the egg whites!
- Chop the coconut—this makes a huge difference.
- Watch the baking time closely—20 minutes is usually perfect.
- Let them cool before moving; they firm up as they cool.
Lykkers, if you've made it this far, you're probably ready to try these yourself—and I say go for it! They're the kind of cookie that looks fancy but takes barely any effort. Plus, once you make them, everyone will ask for the recipe (so keep it handy!).
Have you tried coconut macaroons before? Got your own twist or flavor add-ins? I'd love to hear from you—drop your ideas or photos below. Let's bake, chat, and enjoy this sweet little moment of joy together.
Happy baking! 🍪🥥