Easy Thai Banana Coconut Custard

By
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt
Darlene Schmidt is a cookbook author and culinary teacher who specializes in Thai cuisine.
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Updated on 01/14/23
Close-Up Of Banana Slices
V S/EyeEm/Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 60 mins
Total: 70 mins
Servings: 4 servings

In Thailand, this easy, healthy banana coconut and custard dessert recipe is normally steamed. However, baking it in the oven is just as good and less messy. This is an easy Thai dessert that is quickly whipped up with a blender, mixer, or food processor. Or, you can simply blend with a whisk.

It is a terrific way to use leftover bananas, and you can put this dessert together in less than 10 minutes. Just put everything into the blender, pour it into ramekins, and pop them in the oven. Served warm, cold, or at room temperature, this creamy, tropical-tasting dessert is also healthy, plus low in fat and calories.

This recipe is gluten-free as well as dairy-free. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut milk

  • 1/3 cup sugar, or to taste

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 ripe banana

  • 1 teaspoon coconut flavoring, or vanilla flavoring, or both

  • Oil, for ramekins

  • 1 (16-ounce) package banana leaves, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.

  2. Prepare 4 to 6 ramekins for the dessert by greasing them with a little oil. If you have banana leaves, make a lining with them by cutting two or more wide strips and pressing them into the ramekin (like a cross or a basket).

  3. Place the coconut milk, sugar, eggs, banana, and flavoring in a blender or food processor. Blend or process for 30 seconds. If you don't have a blender or processor, simply mix the ingredients together in a bowl with a fork or whisk for 1 minute, or until the sugar has dissolved.

  4. Pour the mixture into the ramekins, filling each one 3/4 full.

  5. Place the ramekins in a flat-bottomed glass dish (a lasagna or casserole dish works well). Fill part-way with water—up to 1/2 the height of the ramekins—and carefully place the dish in the oven.

  6. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the custard has set and is firm.

  7. Serve the ramekins either hot, cold or at room temperature. If desired, sprinkle with a little dry shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened. 

    Tip

    This dessert is a great use for well-ripened bananas. As the brown spots appear, bananas are producing even more intricate flavors and developing maximum sweetness. You'll be able to use less added sugar by using very ripe bananas.

    Coconut milk is used in many Thai desserts as well as savory dishes. For those who want creaminess but are eating dairy-free, it is a useful ingredient.

    You may also want to make a Mango Custard and enjoy another tropical fruit flavor.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
271 Calories
18g Fat
25g Carbs
5g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 271
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 23%
Saturated Fat 12g 59%
Cholesterol 93mg 31%
Sodium 43mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 3mg 16%
Calcium 26mg 2%
Iron 2mg 13%
Potassium 266mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)