4.9 from 90 votes
Easy Vegan Flan (No-Bake!)
Creamy, luxurious vegan flan with salted caramel sauce, no baking required! Surprisingly easy to make with just 7 simple ingredients.
Prep Time
4 hrs
Cook Time
mins
Total Time
4 hrs 15 mins
Servings: 8 (half-ramekin servings)
Calories: 247 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
Vegan
Ingredients
CARAMEL
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp water
CUSTARD
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp agar agar powder (not flakes)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 (13.5-ounce) cans full-fat coconut milk (we like Whole Foods 365 brand)
Instructions
- Start by getting out 4 individual ramekins; ideally they should be 3-4 inches in diameter (at the base) and 2-3 inches deep. Place them within easy reach.
- CARAMEL: Add the coconut sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and water to a medium saucepan and turn on medium-low heat. Set a timer for 3 minutes and stir constantly while cooking – the sugar will dissolve and the mixture should start to bubble vigorously and thicken slightly. Stick with it! If it is only gently bubbling, turn up your heat very slightly. Or if it’s smelling burnt at all, turn heat down. As soon as the 3-minute timer goes off, quickly distribute the caramel between your 4 prepared ramekins (~1 heaping tablespoon per ramekin). Set aside.
- CUSTARD: You can rinse the same saucepan with hot water and use it for the custard, or choose another — make sure whatever pan you choose is deep enough to hold 4 cups (950 ml) of boiling liquid.
- Add the salt, cornstarch or arrowroot, agar agar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the cooled (or room temperature) saucepan and whisk together until few lumps remain. Then add the coconut milk and whisk vigorously until well combined.
- Place the saucepan over high heat, whisking continuously until the mixture comes to a boil. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Then reduce the heat to medium low and set a timer for 2 minutes. Continue whisking until the timer goes off. The mixture will have thickened but should still be quite loose and pourable.
- Carefully distribute the custard between the ramekins, on top of the caramel. Let the flan cool for 5-10 minutes before transferring it to the refrigerator. Refrigerate for 3 hours, uncovered. If chilling for more than 3 hours, cover lightly with foil, leaving room for a bit of ventilation.
- Once set, you can eat your flan straight from the ramekins with a spoon, or carefully remove them by loosening the edges with a butter knife and turning them upside down onto a plate. You may need to shake gently and tap the bottom to help them slip out!
- Best enjoyed the first day, but will keep for up to 3 days lightly covered in the refrigerator. Not freezer friendly.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- *A full ramekin feels very indulgent and filling. We prefer 1 ramekin of flan served between two people. Or, if you have smaller ramekins (we didn’t), feel free to split recipe into 6-8 ramekins.*If using agar flakes (vs. powder), a reader mentioned it worked well with 1 ½ tablespoons flakes in place of 1 tsp powder. We haven't tested it that way and can't guarantee results.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with cornstarch.
- ½ tablespoons flakes in place of 1 tsp powder. We haven't tested it that way and can't guarantee results.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1half-ramekin serving
Calories
247
(12%)
Carbohydrates
21.5g
(7%)
Protein
1.2g
(2%)
Fat
16.8g
(26%)
Saturated Fat
15.5g
(78%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0g
Monounsaturated Fat
0g
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
0mg
(0%)
Sodium
173mg
(7%)
Potassium
174mg
(5%)
Fiber
0.3g
(1%)
Sugar
17.3g
(35%)
Vitamin A
0IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0mg
(0%)
Calcium
13.9mg
(1%)
Iron
0.6mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8(half-ramekin servings)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 247
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1half-ramekin serving | |
| Calories | 247 | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 21.5g | 7% |
| Protein | 1.2g | 2% |
| Fat | 16.8g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 15.5g | 78% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium | 173mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 174mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugar | 17.3g | 35% |
| Vitamin A | 0IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 13.9mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.