This 5-Ingredient Coconut Macaroons Recipe yields cookies that are crisp on the outside and chewy in the center. They’re sure to be an instant hit with all the coconut lovers in your life.
5-Ingredient Coconut Macaroons
If there’s a time for coconut, it’s now. Spring and Easter, budding leaves and Passover… this is the season coconut enjoys a surge in popularity.
If you don’t already have shredded coconut in your pantry, you can find it at most grocery stores. Since it’s considered a non-perishable item, you can have shredded coconut delivered or shipped to your door.
Our coconut macaroon recipe yields bite-sized treats that are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
You’ll only need 5 ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make these irresistible coconut macaroons. Bonus: they’re the perfect cookies for gluten-free eaters.
How to Make Crispy Yet Chewy Coconut Macaroons
There are quite a few variations of coconut macaroons out there; some use white sugar. Some use a combination of white and brown sugars.
We found the best results using sweetened condensed milk, which is essentially sugar and milk. It yields such a wonderfully chewy texture and caramel-like flavor to the cookies.
Only 5 ingredients are necessary for making awesome coconut macaroons: sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, egg whites, salt, and all the coconut. No flours are needed at all, which make coconut macaroons an ultimate gluten-free treat.
The drizzle of dark chocolate is optional in this coconut macaroons recipe, though for some of us, there really isn’t any other way. These cookies are irresistible with a generous dose of good quality chocolate and a sprinkle of kosher salt. Again – optional, but highly recommended.
This Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe is deliciously easy and perfect for spring. These coconut macaroons are sure to be an instant hit with all the coconut lovers in your life. They’re gluten-free and need only 5 ingredients.
Scale
Ingredients
14 oz sweetened flaked coconut
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 TB pure vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
1/8 tsp table salt
Optional: 1/4 cup good quality, melted dark chocolate and kosher salt (or other coarse sea salt)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325F with rack on lower middle position. Line baking sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large bowl, stir together the coconut flakes, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract. in a medium bowl, add the egg whites and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form (when you gently lift your beaters up, the egg white mixture should form straight, pointy stiff peaks.) Transfer egg mixture into the large bowl with coconut mixture; use rubber spatula to fold together until well combined. Don’t over-mix.
Form heaping 1-tablespoon size rounds of coconut mixture onto lined baking sheet (spaced 2 inches apart). Bake 12-18 minutes or until tops are golden brown, depending on your oven; be sure to watch carefully with your first batch to test the correct bake time for future batches. Let cookies cool fully on baking sheets before transferring to serving plate.
If desired, once cookies are fully cooled, drizzle melted dark chocolate over cookies on serving plate and sprinkle lightly/evenly with kosher salt. Cookies keep well in airtight container at moderate room temp.
Notes
Store any leftover sweetened condensed milk in a glass or plastic airtight container in fridge, and use to make your own easy Thai coffee (or simply add a spoonful to any tea/coffee for an instant treat.)
If you prefer your cookies less sweet, try using unsweetened shredded coconut.
Try adding 1/2 cup of roasted sliced or chopped almonds or dried cherries to the mix prior to baking.
For a wonderful almond aroma, substitute half of the vanilla extract with almond extract.
Try drizzling with salted caramel or melted white chocolate in place of the dark chocolate (or do all 3 for a fun variety of macaroons!)
For a colorful celebration, toss some happy sprinkles onto the drizzled melted chocolate.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating ♡
Keywords: coconut macaroons, coconut cookies, easter cookies
I kind of love macaroons & i’m currently obsesssssed with coconut too so this is perfect… and perfect timing because i’m hosting Easter & this will be perfect!
These are so beautiful and I love the chocolate drizzle on top. I’ve never made my own coconut macaroons before, but I think all that’s about to change!
My sweet tooth has been on 10 for a few days and this post spiked it even more. I love coconut so this looks so delicious to me. And yes the chocolate drizzle why not!!
Oooo thank you! As a big allergy sufferer, I’m always looking for new recipes…only I’m going to have to use an egg replacer (since it’s one of my allergies)
We just finished Girl Scout cookie season, so I see these yummy macaroons and think instantly of the Caramel Delites we adore. I love all things coconut!!
These look amazing. I never thought of trying to make macaroons at home. It always seemed to intimidate me as a recipe. But I would love to try this out.
I actually had all of the ingredients in my pantry for these macaroons! It made for the perfect sweet treat for my kids and I while we are still social distancing!
This recipe is bittersweet for me. Coconut macaroons were my mother’s favorite cookie. I haven’t made them since she died, but I think I may to feel closer to her.
Coconut macaroons are so good! They are always my first choice at the bakery, but I have never made my own. Now I know I must! I really like the chewiness of these!
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Gluten free, chewy, chocolatey… could these get any better?! I want to try this out asap!
Thanks, Megan! Hope you love ’em 🙂
I kind of love macaroons & i’m currently obsesssssed with coconut too so this is perfect… and perfect timing because i’m hosting Easter & this will be perfect!
Yay, Hal… I think maybe you will love these 🙂 🙂
Oh my gosh, these look totally swoon-worthy! I love macaroons, and the chocolate drizzle you’ve got on these… man, oh man!!
These are so beautiful and I love the chocolate drizzle on top. I’ve never made my own coconut macaroons before, but I think all that’s about to change!
These look so delicious. I’ve never tried to make macaroons before, these looks really simple to make so I’ll have to do this soon.
These look incredible. I love how easy and quick they look to made and is there anything better than lovely chocolately macaroons!?
I love coconut macaroons! They’re my favorite after-school snack when I was a kid. 🙂
I’ve got 2 out of 3 kiddos who love coconut too 🙂
I love how simple this recipe is! I’m a sucker for coconut so I’ll have to give it a try!
Love this! My kids would love these, i will be making these over easter for sure!
I love macaroons. I saw some of your other cookie recipes and they look delicious!!!
Oh my those look tasty! I’ll have to pin this one for future get togethers!
These chewy coconut macaroons looks really delightful. I will definitely share this recipe with my cousin who really loves baking.
My sweet tooth has been on 10 for a few days and this post spiked it even more. I love coconut so this looks so delicious to me. And yes the chocolate drizzle why not!!
Chewy Coconut Macaroons are perfect. They are always yummy for me and actually your post made me crave for it.
I am going to try out this recipe over the weekend and love the chewy coconut texture.
Oooo thank you! As a big allergy sufferer, I’m always looking for new recipes…only I’m going to have to use an egg replacer (since it’s one of my allergies)
Fabulous pictures and thanks for the recipe! These look edible right off the blog!
I have been totally craving coconut lately so this is such good timing for these macaroons. I think I will make these for Easter.
★★★★★
These look so good. I saw this recipe the other day and I shared it on facebook. I have so many friends that are gluten free.
We just finished Girl Scout cookie season, so I see these yummy macaroons and think instantly of the Caramel Delites we adore. I love all things coconut!!
I looove coconut macaroons! They are delicious and your recipe looks heavenly. I will make them!
OK now I’m suddenly starving! How do you even come up with this deliciousness?! Definitely saving this one!
These are so simple! And I adore the texture of them. And everything is better with chocolate drizzle on top, right?
Looks so yummy! The recipe is great.. I wanna try it out and made my own macaroons..
Yum yum yum… I’m gonna try that! It doesn’t need any baking powder or soda?
Gluten free and beautiful! I’m sure they taste amazing too:D I’m adding your site to my favorites!
Super kind of you, thank you, Moni! 🙂
these look great. i’m sure they would go quick in my house.
This reminds me so much of the Girl Scout cookie. I bet it tastes similar and it looks even better.
★★★★★
Thanks, Ashley! 🙂
I’m so happy this recipe is Gluten-free. It makes a big difference to me. They are so beautiful! I can imagine teh taste too.
Glad you like them, Myrah!
These look so beautiful to look at and I am sure they would taste amazing as well, can’t wait to make these
★★★★★
Those look so good that I might need to bake some this weekend for our upcoming party. Yummy
They’re perfect party treats! 🙂
These look amazing. I never thought of trying to make macaroons at home. It always seemed to intimidate me as a recipe. But I would love to try this out.
★★★★★
It’s way easier than it looks 🙂
Coconut macaroons are the best!!!! I love the drizzle of chocolate on the top.
So glad you like this, Lisa!
I love chewy cookies. I haven’t had a macaroon in ages, but now is definitely the time, these look perfect!
★★★★★
I actually had all of the ingredients in my pantry for these macaroons! It made for the perfect sweet treat for my kids and I while we are still social distancing!
★★★★★
That’s awesome, Kacey! So happy you guys enjoyed these! 🙂
Oh my gosh! These macaroons are so perfect for Passover! My hubby just loves coconut macaroons!
★★★★★
This recipe is bittersweet for me. Coconut macaroons were my mother’s favorite cookie. I haven’t made them since she died, but I think I may to feel closer to her.
★★★★★
So sweet, Marta. Hugs.
Adding chocolate brings this favorite sweet treat of mine to the top! YUM!
★★★★★
So happy you liked these!
Coconut macaroons are so good! They are always my first choice at the bakery, but I have never made my own. Now I know I must! I really like the chewiness of these!
★★★★★
These sound amazing. I love a good gluten-free snack, I definitely need to try these!
These are perfect for summer! I love anything coconut around this time of year! Can’t wait to bake up a batch of these!
★★★★★
Oh goodness, I’ve been looking for a new macaroon recipe. My family loves coconut. I can’t wait to try this, thank you.
★★★★★
I can’t believe I’ve never tried Coconut Macaroons before – but they’re so simple to make and quite good, too!! Thanks for this recipe!
You’re so welcome, and glad you liked these! 🙂
These are what macaroon dreams are made of! Crispy on the outside, chew on the inside– perfection!
★★★★★
Yay, Emily! So very happy you liked these 🙂