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Home » Recipes » Dessert

Pandan Coconut Jelly

Written by: Rachel. Published: Feb 2, 2024 · Modified: Mar 12, 2025· This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

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This Pandan Coconut Jelly made from agar agar combines two of Thailand's most delicious flavors in one easy-to-serve dessert. Because it's made with agar, which solidifies at room temperature, this dessert can be served at any time and in any place!

Coconut Pandan Agar Agar

This pandan coconut jelly dessert is kind of like Thailand's version of jello. It's a popular Thai dessert because it's light and refreshing, perfect for the perennially hot weather.

Made with agar agar instead of gelatin, this dessert solidifies at room temperature, making it very easy to serve. Although agar desserts can be made with any flavoring, the pairing of coconut and pandan is a common choice in Thailand, and one of my favorites. The pleasant earthy flavor of pandan combines so nicely with the rich creaminess of coconut milk. Add its beautiful presentation and ease of making to the list of reasons you'll love it, and this is one Thai dessert you won't want to miss out on!

Jump to:
  • What is Pandan?
  • What is Agar Agar Powder?
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Pandan Coconut Jelly
  • Storage
  • Pandan Coconut Jelly FAQs
  • More Pandan Recipes
  • Recipe

What is Pandan?

Pandan Thai

Pandan is a plant used in Thai cooking as a flavoring agent. It has long, narrow, dark green leaves. The leaves are used in many different ways in Thai cooking, including knotting them and adding them to dishes as they cook (like for Mango Sticky Rice), wrapping food in them (like for Pandan Chicken), or using the juice extracted from them (as in this recipe). For more information, see this article all about Pandan Leaves.

What is Agar Agar Powder?

Agar agar powder is a solidifying agent that's commonly used in Asian desserts. It is derived from red seaweed and is therefore considered to be a vegetarian or vegan alternative to gelatin. Agar has several differences from gelatin, however. First, it needs to be boiled in order to set. Once boiled, it will solidify at room temperature. Agar agar also has a less jiggly and more crunchy texture than gelatin.

Ingredients

Ingredients for Pandan Agar Agar
  • Agar agar powder: Agar agar powder is the solidifying agent for this dessert. Be sure to use a brand that only contains agar agar powder without additional sweeteners or flavorings. The Telephone brand meets these criteria, and is available at many Asian grocery stores as well as online.
  • Water: Half a cup of water will be used to make a pandan juice extract, and the other 4 cups of water will be used for dissolving and boiling the agar agar powder in. If you want additional coconut flavor, you could substitute some of the water for fresh coconut water.
  • Sugar: White granulated sugar works best in this recipe, both in terms of flavor and color. Palm sugar or brown sugar is not recommended as it would discolor the layers.
  • Coconut milk: Regular canned, unsweetened coconut milk works well for the coconut layer. Coconut cream would also work, if you prefer a richer creamier layer.
  • Pandan leaves: Fresh or frozen pandan leaves should be used in this recipe. You'll need approximately 5 fresh leaves (or 8 frozen leaves) to make ½ cup of cut leaves. The cut leaves will be blended with water and strained out to make a pandan juice extract.

See recipe card for full information.

How to Make Pandan Coconut Jelly

This Pandan Coconut Jelly is easy to make. Simply boil the agar agar powder with water, and add sugar. Divide this mixture in half, adding the pandan extract to one half and the coconut milk to the other half.

Make Pandan Juice Extract

Step 1: Wash and cut the pandan leaves into 1 inch pieces. Place ½ cup cut leaves in a small blender with ½ cup of water and blend until the leaves are broken down. Strain to remove the leaves, reserving only the pandan juice. Set aside.

Boil Agar Agar Powder

Step 2: Combine the agar agar powder with 4 cups of water in a saucepan on the stove. Bring to a gentle boil and allow to cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the Sugar

Step 3: Add the sugar to the mixture and stir until dissolved. Turn the heat down to low so that the agar agar mixture remains hot, but is not continuing to boil.

Make Pandan Agar Agar Layer

Step 4: Remove 2 cups of the agar agar mixture from the pan and place into a separate bowl. Add the pandan juice to this bowl and stir to incorporate. Pour into a shallow pan or mold and allow this pandan-flavored layer to harden.1

Add Coconut Agar Layer

Step 5: While the pandan agar is solidifying, add the coconut milk to the remaining agar agar mixture on the stove. Mix to incorporate. Once the pandan layer has *just* solidified, slowly pour the warm coconut agar agar layer on top.2 Allow this layer to solidify, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Pandan Agar Agar

Step 6: Once both layers have solidified, remove from the mold or pan, and cut into desired shapes. You can top this agar agar dessert with fresh young coconut meat for a pretty presentation, if you like.

RECIPE NOTES:

1: The agar agar will harden at room temperature in approximately 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the layer. If you prefer to speed up the process, you can put it in the refrigerator.

2: If the pandan layer is completely solid when you add the coconut milk layer, they will separate once both are solidified. The key to avoiding this is to add the coconut layer when the pandan layer is *almost* solid, but still slightly jiggly.

Pandan Agar Agar

Storage

This agar-based dessert can be kept at room temperature for several hours. After that, it should be refrigerated to prevent bacterial growth.

Pandan Coconut Jelly FAQs

What is pandan jelly made of?

This Thai pandan jelly dessert is made with agar agar powder, water, sugar, coconut milk, and pandan leaves. You could also make a pandan jelly with a single layer of pandan, omitting the coconut layer, if you like.

What does pandan taste like?

Pandan leaves have a very pleasant aroma and flavor. They impart an earthy, floral, and slightly nutty taste that seems to linger on your palate. This flavor has also been described as grassy, green-tea like, and even vanilla-like.

Is agar agar better for you than gelatin?

Agar agar and gelatin are both agents that help to solidify liquids. Agar agar is made from plant material while gelatin comes from animal products.

What is agar agar made of?

Agar agar powder is derived from red seaweed. It is often considered to be a vegetarian or vegan alternative to gelatin.

Coconut Pandan Agar

If you're in the mood for a refreshing dessert with amazing Thai flavors, this Pandan Coconut Jelly is one you won't want to miss. It's easy to make, easy to serve, and easy on the eyes as well!

More Pandan Recipes

Here are more Thai recipes that feature pandan:

  • Pandan Chicken
    Pandan Chicken | Gai Bai Tuey | ไก่ใบเตย
  • Pandan Juice
    Pandan Juice
  • Pandan Leaves
    Pandan Leaves | Bai Tuey | ใบเตย
  • Khanom Chan: Thai nine layered dessert
    Khanom Chan (Thai Layered Dessert)

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Recipe

Pandan Agar Agar

Coconut and Pandan Agar | Woon Gati Bai Tuey | วุ้นกะทิใบเตย

This coconut and pandan agar agar dessert combines two of Thailand's most delicious flavors in one easy-to-serve dessert. 
5 from 7 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Thai
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Servings: 12
Calories: 190kcal
Author: Rachel

Ingredients

  • 1.5 Tablespoons agar agar powder
  • 4.5 cups water divided
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • 2 cups coconut milk
  • ½ cup pandan leaves (approximately 5-10 leaves)

Instructions

  • Make Pandan Juice Extract: Begin by washing and cutting the pandan leaves into 1 inch pieces. Cut enough so that you have ½ cup of pandan pieces (approximately 5-10 leaves depending on their size). Place the cut leaves in a small blender with ½ cup of water and blend until the leaves are broken down. Strain to remove the leaves, reserving only the pandan juice. Set aside.
  • Boil Agar Agar Powder: Combine the agar agar powder with 4 cups of water in a saucepan on the stove. Bring to a gentle boil and allow to cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the Sugar: Add the sugar to the mixture and stir until dissolved. Turn the heat down to low so that the agar agar mixture remains hot, but is not continuing to boil.
  • Make Pandan Layer: Remove 2 cups of the agar agar mixture from the pan and place into a separate bowl. Add the pandan juice to this bowl and stir to incorporate. Pour into a shallow pan or mold and allow this pandan-flavored layer to harden. It will harden at room temperature, but if you prefer to speed up the process, you can put it in the refrigerator.
  • Make Coconut Layer: While the pandan agar is solidifying, add the coconut milk to the remaining agar agar mixture on the stove. Mix to incorporate. Once the pandan layer has solidified, slowly pour the warm coconut agar agar layer on top. Allow this layer to solidify, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
  • Serve: Once both layers have solidified, remove from the mold or pan and cut into desired shapes. You can top this agar agar dessert with fresh young coconut meat for a pretty presentation, if you like.

Nutrition

Calories: 190kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 0.05g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. anupatel

    April 15, 2022 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars
    I think you have written this content very thoughtfully, and it is great that every person has some skill in life and you also have a skill, using which you write a beautiful post. I am very happy to see your post, hope you will keep writing such posts in life. you are the best post writer.

    Reply
  2. Amy

    May 12, 2020 at 12:53 am

    Great recipe, great flavor. BUT... why didn't my layers stick together?
    Thanks.

    Reply
  3. Rachel

    December 05, 2015 at 4:33 am

    I'm not sure... Did you let the first layer solidify fully before adding the second layer?

    Reply
  4. Chel

    December 04, 2015 at 7:25 pm

    Do you know why whenever I made the jello it never has two layer?

    Reply
  5. Rachel

    August 08, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    Hi Laura, I haven't used pandan extract in this before, so I'm afraid I can't guide you with experience. I'd suggest starting with just one drop, tasting the agar mixture, and adding more until it's just right. Best of luck!

    Reply
  6. Laura

    August 07, 2015 at 3:59 am

    Could you kindly suggest the amount of pandan extract to use as substitute for pandan leaves? Can't wait to try this...

    Reply
  7. Rachel

    June 30, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Hi Christine, I think the layers would have a much harder time sticking together if left to solidify completely. I haven't tried this though, so if you do, let me know how it works.

    Reply
  8. Christine

    June 26, 2015 at 12:20 am

    If I let the pandan part solidified then pour the coconut on top will they stick together? Thanks...

    Reply
  9. Rachel

    July 22, 2014 at 5:17 am

    Hi Alice, you should end up with approximately 1/2 cup of pandan juice.

    Reply
  10. alice

    July 21, 2014 at 8:36 pm

    How much pandan juice do I end up with after blending 1/2 cup of water with 1/2 cup of pandan leaves?

    Reply
  11. Chelsea

    April 20, 2014 at 12:51 am

    Where does the sugar from the ingredients go?!

    Reply
    • Rachel

      April 20, 2014 at 7:00 am

      Hi Chelsea, thanks so much for catching that! The sugar should be added after the agar agar has boiled. I've updated the recipe.

      Reply
  12. Padaek

    April 15, 2014 at 3:11 pm

    Looks delicious! Love the letters - so cool! 🙂

    Reply
  13. Yelena

    April 14, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    This is amazing! The color are great together and it looks so perfect!

    Reply

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