6 Reasons to Use Shredded Coconut for No-Bake Treats

6 Reasons to Use Coconut in NoBake Treats 2

6 Reasons to Use Coconut in NoBake Treats

When it comes to quick and easy desserts and snacks, anything that doesn’t have to be baked is the bee’s knees, in my opinion.

Whether for company, a play date, a road trip, or a potluck, no-bake treats are the perfect last-minute choice — especially if you already keep some key ingredients in your pantry.

One such ingredient is unsweetened, shredded coconut.

I have fallen in love with using unsweetened, shredded coconut in the most unexpected places. In fact, I wrote an entire eCookbook of no-bake treats that are based with coconut! {More on that later!}

There are several reasons why you might consider using unsweetened, shredded coconut for no-bake treats, such as:

1. Coconut Is Low-Carb

There are just 9 grams of carbohydrates in half a cup of unsweetened, shredded coconut.

Contrast that low number with the higher numbers of a few other common base ingredients for healthy treats:

  • Whole wheat — 43 grams
  • White rice flour — 64 grams
  • Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Flour — 44 grams

If you’re trying to live a low-carb lifestyle for weight loss, to lower insulin resistance, for Trim Healthy Mama, or for any other health-related reasons, unsweetened, shredded coconut is a great option for you to still be able to enjoy much-deserved treats!

2. Coconut Is High in Fiber

Gone are the days of dry, tasteless bran muffins to boost fiber intake, thank goodness!

Unsweetened, shredded coconut boasts a pretty hearty serving of fiber in a tasty package — unlike those bran muffins from the 90s.

Coconut actually provides insoluble fiber — the kind that helps with constipation, weight loss, and blood sugar control.

In addition, unsweetened, shredded coconut is rich in a prebiotic fiber known as inulin which promotes good gut health by feeding and encouraging the proliferation of good bacteria in the gut. All the benefits of inulin are retained in no-bake treats because nothing gets destroyed in cooking.

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3. Coconut Is Allergy-Friendly

Anybody can be allergic or sensitive to any food, and coconut is no exception. I have come across a few individuals who react when they eat coconut.

However, coconut is considered to be a hypoallergenic food, and allergies to coconut are unusual.

Dairy, gluten, nut/peanut, egg, and soy allergies are far more common.

So many Paleo, GAPS, and grain-free treats are made with almond and other nut flours and therefore, are not allowed for someone who could possibly have a near-death experience just by smelling them.

This is not the case with unsweetened, shredded coconut. You can enjoy no-bake treats without worrying if you’re going to need to bust out your epi-pen.

4. Coconut Is Full of Healthy Fat

Unsweetened, shredded coconut is mostly fat — with 90% of that fat being medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs).

MCFAs are FULL of health benefits!

They have been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol, increase satiety, provide an immediate source of usable energy, and increase metabolic rate.

These MCFAs also provide an easily digestible and absorbable form of fat. This is good news for people who struggle with gut issues because MCFAs don’t require pancreatic enzymes or bile salts for processing (source).

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5. Coconut Pairs Well with Other Flavors

I am not a fan of the flavor of coconut, especially the fake flavor of sweetened coconut from the supermarket or the artificially flavored coconut syrups used in snow cones and other coconut flavored drinks.

A quality unsweetened, shredded coconut does not taste coconut-y, in my opinion. It has a very neutral taste and, therefore, pairs really well with other flavors.

In my eCookbook, Nourishing No-Bake Treats, I pair coconut with flavors such as lime, orange, chocolate, salted caramel, cherry, and blueberry — and those flavors shine, not the coconut flavor.

You can make endless varieties of no-bake treats with unsweetened, shredded coconut as the base without worrying if everything is going to taste like coconut, especially if you’re not a fan of the coconut flavor.

6. Coconut Is a Frugal Option Especially for Paleo/Grain-Free Treats

Cost is relative, and one person’s coconut may cost more or less than another’s depending on where they buy their coconut, if they can purchase in bulk, if it’s certified organic or not, etc.

The unsweetened, shredded coconut I use is sold for $6.95 per 1-pound bag; there are approximately 8 cups of coconut per bag. That’s about $.87 per cup.

Honeyville’s blanched almond flour costs $3.05 per cup. Bob’s Red Mill Almond Flour/Meal is $2.23 per cup.

Of course, if you’re using a grain-based flour, it’s going to be even less than unsweetened, shredded coconut — but that’s not an option if you’re following a low-carb lifestyle or gut-healing diet or just prefer to avoid grains.

Nourishing No-Bake Treats

If you’re convinced that unsweetened, shredded coconut is a winner for no-bake treats, then I have a treat for you!

My new eCookbook, Nourishing No-Bake Treats, has 12 recipes for healthy, naturally sweetened treats — and 9 of those recipes contain unsweetened, shredded coconut!

In 15 minutes or less and with one appliance, you can whip up flavors like Orange & Dark Chocolate, Avocado Mint Chip, Salted Caramel & Dark Chocolate, Buttered Caramel Cashew, Blueberry-Lemon-Mint Bliss, and Chocolate-Maple-Bacon-Nut.

In fact, here’s a shot of the Table of Contents:

I created this book with food allergies in mind. All recipes are:

  • grain-free/gluten-free
  • egg-free
  • dairy-free
  • peanut-free
  • soy-free
  • 9 out of 12 are nut-free too!

These recipes contain superfood ingredients like chia seeds and goji berries, enzyme-rich raw honey, blueberries and cherries, mineral-rich Himalayan salt, bacon, and of course, unsweetened, shredded coconut!

And I made sure to include beautiful photos to make your mouth water! I want you to enjoy looking through my book just as much as you enjoy these no-bake recipes.

Nourishing No-Bake Treats is valued at $16, but just for you, I’ve cut the price in half —  just $7.99!