5 from 123 votes
Agar Agar Jelly (2-ingredient)
This simple Agar Agar Jelly uses agar powder and coconut water to create a firm, clear jelly with a subtle coconut flavor. The jelly sets quickly at room temperature, and optional fruit can be added before setting for texture and sweetness. It can be served chilled as a refreshing dessert.
Prep Time
1 min
Cook Time
10 mins
Calories:
222 kcal
Course:
Dessert, Snacks
Cuisine:
Asian, Singaporean
Ingredients
- 0.35 oz agar agar powder 10g. Substitute: agar agar flakes or agar agar strips. Soften in the water for 5-10 minutes before switching on the heat. You can also use konnyaku (but note it's a choking hazard) or gelatine (if not vegan.)
- 4.2 Cups coconut water (1 litre/ 0.264 US gallons.) This can be either fresh or from the bottle. For this recipe, I used bottled coconut water to make the agar agar jelly before setting it in a real coconut husk. (Note: your brand of agar agar powder may require a different amount of liquid to set- check before starting!) You can substitute with water but it'll be super bland without a sweetener. If adding sugar, whisk the sugar with the agar powder before pouring into the liquid. (This prevents clumping.)
- fruits Optional. If you want to make the jelly sweeter without adding sugar, add some fruits into the agar agar before it sets, cut-up
Instructions
- Pour the cold/ room temperature coconut water into the pot, add the agar agar powder then stir to dissolve. The heat is not on yet.
- Switch on the fire to medium heat, bring the solution to the boil, whisking continuously.
- Stil till all the powder has dissolved, let it fullyboil for 5 minutes, then switch off the fire.
- Agar agar sets quickly at room temperature. Hence, if you are adding fruits, stir them into the agar agar now before it has set, making sure to stir such that the fruits are well-distributed. Note that the heat will make the fruits soften and affect their texture a little.
- Pour the jelly into the designated containers/ molds to set. Optional: cut out shapes with cookie cutters once hardened. (It sets at room tempeature but tastes nice cold, especially when the weather is hot out!)Tip: If you're entertaining, it's a nice touch to pour the jelly into coconut husks. (Leave the coconut flesh in the coconut for a nice contrast in texture.) Do make sure to choose smaller coconuts and not to pour all the way to the brim, or it will be too big of a portion for 1 person!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Always add agar powder to cold or room temperature liquid to prevent clumping; do not add to warm or hot liquids directly.
- If using acidic liquids like citrus juices, increase agar powder amount to ensure proper setting as acidity weakens agar's gelling.
- Raw juices from some fruits like kiwi, pineapple, or mango may not gel unless cooked first; canned fruits generally work fine.
- Texture can be softened by adding up to 20% more liquid, but too much prevents setting and requires reheating with extra agar.
Nutrition Information
Calories
222kcal
(11%)
Carbohydrates
45g
(15%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
2g
(3%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.03g
(0%)
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
(1%)
Sodium
1069mg
(45%)
Potassium
2632mg
(56%)
Fiber
12g
(48%)
Sugar
27g
(54%)
Vitamin C
24mg
(27%)
Calcium
304mg
(30%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 1 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 222
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 222kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.03g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Sodium | 1069mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 2632mg | 56% |
| Fiber | 12g | 48% |
| Sugar | 27g | 54% |
| Vitamin C | 24mg | 27% |
| Calcium | 304mg | 30% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.