Coconut Candy (Nigerian Caramelized Coconut Chunks)
In short: Fresh coconut strips cooked in sugar until they turn golden, crisp and chewy, a sweet street snack sold in small bags across Nigeria. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Coconut candy is a roadside sweet sold in small paper bags across Nigeria. Fresh coconut is cut into thin strips and cooked in sugar syrup, stirred constantly until the syrup crystallizes, then melts again into a golden caramel that coats each piece. The result is chewy, crisp and toasty. It takes patience and attention rather than skill, and it keeps for a week in a tin.
Instructions
- Crack the coconut, drain the water and pry the flesh from the shell. Peel off the thin brown skin if you like, then cut the flesh into thin strips.
- Put the sugar and water in a wide, heavy pan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then bring to a boil.
- Add the coconut and the salt. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the syrup thickens and then turns sandy as it crystallizes around the coconut.
- Lower the heat and keep stirring for 3 to 5 minutes more, until the sugar melts again into a golden caramel that coats each piece. Watch closely, because it can burn fast.
- Spread onto a parchment-lined tray and separate the pieces with two forks. Hot caramel causes severe burns, so do not touch it. Cool for 30 minutes until crisp.
Tips
- No fresh coconut? Unsweetened coconut chips (thick flakes) work. Cook them for only 5 to 6 minutes, since they are drier.
- Store the cooled candy in an airtight tin for up to a week. Humidity makes it sticky, so keep it away from the stove.
Questions and answers
What does Nigerian coconut candy taste like?
Sweet, toasty coconut with a caramel crunch and a slightly chewy center. It is usually sold in small bags by street vendors.
Can I use desiccated coconut?
Fine desiccated coconut will clump, so use thick chips or flakes instead. Coconut chips from health food shops work well.
Why did my candy turn sugary and white?
The syrup crystallized, which is normal at the sandy stage. For golden candy, keep cooking on low heat and stirring until the sugar melts into caramel again.
How long does it take to make Coconut Candy (Nigerian Caramelized Coconut Chunks)?
About 45 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Coconut Candy (Nigerian Caramelized Coconut Chunks)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 33 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 33 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
