This easy vegan panna cotta is made with just 5 ingredients, creating a creamy and smooth dessert topped with a fresh strawberry coulis. A simple yet delicious dairy-free twist on a classic Italian treat!
Looking for more delicious vegan desserts? Try my Tofu Chocolate Mousse, Vegan Chocolate Pudding, and Vegan Tapioca Pudding for more creamy, indulgent treats. These recipes are all easy to make and full of flavor, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
This easy vegan panna cotta offers a silky texture and vibrant strawberry topping, creating the perfect balance of sweetness and freshness. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply craving a treat, it’s a dessert that always impresses.
Not only is this dessert incredibly easy to prepare, but it also gives you the freedom to get creative with toppings. Feel free to swap the strawberry coulis for other fruits or a drizzle of your favorite syrup for a unique twist!
Ingredients for vegan panna cotta
- Full-fat coconut cream: If you can't find full-fat coconut cream, you can use full-fat coconut milk. Simply refrigerate it overnight and scoop off the thickened cream. Dairy-free heavy cream substitutes are also a good option.
- Unsweetened non-dairy milk: I used soy milk, but you can also use almond milk , oat milk, or cashew milk. If you're using sweetened non-dairy milk, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe to adjust for the added sweetness.
- Granulated sugar: You can substitute granulated sugar with other sweeteners like brown, cane, or coconut sugar, or even maple or agave syrup. If you're using a liquid sweetener like maple or agave syrup, reduce the amount of other liquids in the recipe slightly to maintain the right consistency.
- Agar agar powder.
- Vanilla extract.
- Strawberries: Other berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries can also be used as alternatives for a different flavor.
- Lemon juice.
- Cornstarch: If you don’t have cornstarch, you can use potato starch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot. Use the same amount as you would cornstarch.
- Water.
Find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
How to make vegan panna cotta
Step 1: In a saucepan, combine the panna cotta ingredients and whisk until the agar agar dissolves completely.
Step 2: Heat on medium-high and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens to a runny custard-like consistency.
Step 3: Pour the mixture into individual bowls, ramekins, or silicone molds. Let cool for 15 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or longer if possible.
Step 4: Blend the strawberry coulis ingredients in a blender or with an immersion blender until smooth.
Step 5: Pour the coulis into a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring constantly. Let it cool for 30 minutes once thickened.
Step 6: For bowls or ramekins, pour the coulis over the panna cotta and serve. For silicone molds, gently release the panna cotta, flip it onto a plate, and drizzle with the coulis.
Storage instructions
Fridge: Store the panna cotta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezer: It's best not to freeze panna cotta, as the texture may change when thawed. However, if you need to freeze it, wrap it tightly and store for up to 1 month. Let it thaw in the fridge before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Panna cotta is a popular Italian dessert made with cream, sugar, and gelatin, giving it a smooth, pudding-like texture. It's typically served chilled and topped with options like caramel, chocolate, or fresh berries. The dessert is not too soft or too firm, offering a silky, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Unlike custard, it’s not as creamy but has a smooth, light consistency that makes it perfect for a spoonful of sweetness.
Agar agar is a plant-based gelatin substitute made from red algae. It is commonly used in vegan and vegetarian recipes as a thickening agent. Agar agar comes in powdered or flake form and is often used to set desserts like panna cotta, jellies, and custards. It works by absorbing liquid and forming a gel-like texture when heated and then cooled, making it a popular alternative to animal-derived gelatin. Agar is flavorless, so it doesn’t alter the taste of the dish it’s used in.
Some people use cornstarch, but I find it doesn’t quite give the right texture. It creates a custard-like consistency, which is softer than the typical jellied panna cotta. Personally, I prefer using agar agar powder, as it’s a reliable choice for achieving the classic firm texture of panna cotta.
Of course! Instead of strawberry coulis, you can try fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. You could also go for a fruit compote (like this delicious blueberry compote), vegan caramel sauce, or even chocolate syrup. A little citrus zest, like lemon or orange, would give it a fresh kick. If you want some crunch, sprinkle chopped nuts like pistachios or almonds, or try some coconut flakes for a tropical touch.
You can totally switch up the fruit for the coulis! Mango, blueberries, raspberries, or peaches are all great options. If you’re using frozen fruit, let it thaw a bit before blending for a smoother texture. Feel free to mix and match fruits to find your favorite combo!
More vegan dessert recipes
Vegan Panna Cotta
Ingredients
For the panna cotta:
- 1 14-ounce can full-fat coconut cream
- 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk, I used soy milk
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons agar agar powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the strawberry coulis:
- 2 cups strawberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the panna cotta mixture: In a saucepan, mix all the ingredients for the panna cotta and whisk until the agar agar is fully dissolved.
- Simmer the mixture: Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often and watching closely to avoid any overflow. The mixture should thicken to a runny custard-like consistency.
- Pour and set the panna cotta: Pour the panna cotta mixture into 6-8 individual serving bowls, ramekins, or silicone molds (you can lightly grease them if you want to easily pop the panna cotta out). Let it cool at room temperature for about 15 minutes before transferring it to the fridge to set for at least 2 hours, preferably 3 or more.
- Make the strawberry coulis: For the strawberry coulis, add all the ingredients to a blender or use an immersion blender to blend everything until smooth.
- Cook the coulis: Transfer the coulis mixture to a saucepan and cook for 4-5 minutes over medium heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or rubber spatula to prevent sticking. Once thickened, remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Serve the panna cotta: If you used serving bowls or ramekins, just pour the strawberry coulis directly over the panna cotta and serve immediately. For silicone molds, gently run a small knife around the edges, then carefully flip them onto a plate. Drizzle generously with strawberry coulis.
Notes
- Keep leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing isn’t ideal as it may alter the texture, but if needed, wrap tightly and store for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Gail says
Sorry, I usually love your recipes, but this was a disappointment. It was far too sweet and more like coconut vanilla blamange than Panna cotta. The texture was all wrong. Panna cotta is delicious, maybe we just have to do without it in vegan life.
Keep the other recipes coming!
JOSIE says
This was excellent & easy to make. Just a couple of things: mine didn't thicken in the pan but it did set beautifully when it cooled. Also I have a question: could you use vanilla soy milk & omit the sugar & vanilla?
Thanks for another great recipe!
Iosune Robles says
Thank you so much, Josie. I’m glad it set nicely in the end and that you enjoyed it. And yes, you can definitely use vanilla soy milk and skip the sugar and vanilla. Just make sure it’s sweetened to your taste. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Kelly says
Just made this vegan panna cotta and it turned out absolutely delicious! The texture was perfect and it was so easy to make. I topped it with some fresh berries and it was the perfect dessert. My friends couldn’t believe it was vegan! Definitely making this again.
Iosune Robles says
Thank you so much, Kelly. I’m really glad you and your friends enjoyed it. Topping it with fresh berries sounds perfect. So happy to hear you’ll be making it again!