Vegan Coconut Macaroons {Gluten-Free}

Vegan Coconut Macaroons are super easy to make, especially with this 6-ingredient recipe! These homemade sweet, toasty macaroons are perfect for dessert or to fulfill your sweet tooth craving! This recipe is completely gluten-free and refined sugar-free, making it a delicious, guilt-free treat!

Here at GFB, we love baking vegan, gluten-free desserts, especially quick and easy beginner-friendly recipes like this one! If you do too, you’ll definitely want to check out our Ultra-Fudgy Vegan Brownies, Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies, or Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookies next!

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Easy Vegan Macaroons

This is definitely one of the easiest desserts you will ever make! This vegan coconut macaroon recipe is a simple one-bowl dessert, meaning all you have to do is mix all the ingredients together in one bowl, use a cookie scoop to form cute balls with the mixture, and bake!

The result is perfectly baked macaroons with a golden crust, soft interior, sweet caramel flavor from the coconut sugar, and a rich chocolatey base using vegan chocolate!

This recipe gives you delicious Coconut Macaroons that are:

1. Dairy-Free
2. Egg-Free
3. Gluten-Free
4. Vegan (no egg whites or condensed milk needed!)
5. Refined Sugar-Free (naturally sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar!)
6. And Insanely Good!

The difference between a coconut macaroon and a macaron

Macaron is a French dessert made of two round almond flour-based cookies and filled with ganache or buttercream. Macaroon is a mounded drop cookie made with a base of shredded coconut. While the names may sound similar, they are very different, especially because one is very delicate and challenging to make and the other simple and easy.

How To Make Coconut Macaroons Vegan?

Usually, macaroons are made with condensed milk and eggs. To make vegan macaroons, full-fat coconut cream, gluten-free flour, and maple syrup are used to bind and naturally sweeten the macaroon mixture.

Ingredients Needed To Make This Gluten-Free Vegan Coconut Macaroon Recipe:

• Unsweetened coconut flakes: Make sure to purchase finely shredded coconut flakes, like these Terrasoul Finely Shredded Macaroon Cut Coconut Flakes. If your coconut flakes are large, you can blend them in the food processor to get your desired texture. (I like my shredded coconut to vary in size for the look and texture.)
• Canned coconut cream, full-fat: Coconut cream helps to give the macaroons a rich flavor while keeping the inside soft and perfectly moist. Use full-fat coconut cream like this one, for the best flavor. You can also get coconut cream by placing a can of full-fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight. The top will solidify, making coconut cream for you to use.
• Pure maple syrup: These coconut macaroons are perfectly sweetened with maple syrup (and coconut sugar), making them completely refined sugar-free.
• Coconut sugar: The coconut sugar gives these macaroons the BEST flavor. You can use coconut sugar like this one, or substitute with brown sugar.
• Gluten-Free All Purpose Flour: I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour for this recipe. You can also use almond flour instead if you like. If you are not sensitive to gluten, you can use regular flour.
• Vanilla extract: You’ll need just a teaspoon of vanilla extract to give the coconut macaroons a warm, rich flavor. (Almond Extract is a great substitute)
• Pinch of Salt: Completely optional, but it helps to bring out all of the flavors.
• Vegan dark chocolate bar or chocolate chips: Because chocolate! Right!? If you want to dip or drizzle chocolate onto your macaroons, make sure to use Vegan chocolate to keep these macaroons vegan. I like to use Hu Chocolate Bars (so good!).

How to make Vegan Coconut Macaroons

1. Add all the ingredients (except for the chocolate) to a large bowl and mix until fully incorporated. The mixture should form a sticky consistency.

2. Scoop out 2 tablespoons (tbsp) of the mixture at a time and form small balls. Make sure to pack tightly so that the macaroons do not fall apart while baking. Place the coconut macaroons on the baking tray.

3. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 25 minutes, rotating halfway through. When the macaroons are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely, about 10 minutes.

4. If you are making chocolate-dipped macaroons, melt the chocolate using the double boil method or microwave method (described below). Dip the macaroons into the melted chocolate and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place them in the fridge for 5-8 minutes, or until the chocolate hardens.

Chocolate dipped coconut macaroons

How to make chocolate dipped macaroons? (2 ways!)

Double Boiling Method

Add crushed chocolate or chocolate chips to a heatproof glass bowl. Place the glass bowl over a pot with simmering water. Using a rubber spatula or whisk, gently stir the chocolate until it is completely melted, about 1-2 minutes. DO NOT add water when mixing the chocolate because this will cause the chocolate to harden.

Microwave Method

Add crushed chocolate or chocolate chips to a bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat the chocolate for 30 seconds at a time, removing and stirring between each time. Continue to repeat this method until the chocolate has melted.

Once you have your melted chocolate, dip your beautiful macaroons in it and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet! Place the macaroons in the fridge for about 5-8 minutes, or until the chocolate hardens.

How to store Coconut Macaroons

These Vegan Coconut Macaroons easily last quite a while stored at room temperature. Simply store them in an airtight container and they will last up to 5 days.

I like to keep my macaroons in the refrigerator where they last up to 2 weeks! You can eat them cold (which tastes delish!) or let them sit at room temperature before enjoying.

You can also freeze these macaroons, which is perfect if you want to make a large batch and save some for those days when you have a craving for macaroons. To freeze, place them in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag in the freezer, for up to 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy them, place the macaroons on the counter to thaw first.

I hope you enjoy this Vegan Coconut Macaroons Recipe!

If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.

More Delicious Baked Vegan Treats!

• Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins | Vegan & Gluten-Free
• The Best Vegan Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Vegan Gluten-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread
• Easy Blender Carrot Cake Muffins (Gluten-Free + Vegan)
• Vegan Baked Blueberry Donuts (Gluten-Free)
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Avocado Bread | Vegan

Looking for more delicious Vegan & Gluten-Free Dessert to try? Try these!

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

The Ultimate Fudgy Brownies 

Homemade Ice cream Snickers Bars

Chocolate Avocado Bread