Vegan Coconut Macaroons (paleo)

Vegan coconut macaroons that are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside! They taste like regular macaroons but are paleo and maple-sweetened. With just four ingredients + salt!

Vegan coconut macaroons that are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside! They taste like regular macaroons but are paleo and maple-sweetened.

January 2019 update: I’ve been making these cookies every few weeks since I posted them and now always dip them in semi-sweet chocolate and drizzle more on top. They’re really insanely delicious like that! I highly recommend it.

These macaroons (not to be confused with French macarons) are one of the easiest cookie recipes I have! They’re probably tied with my gluten-free peanut butter cookies recipe.

They require just maple syrup, coconut butter, shredded coconut, vanilla and salt. And the result is some paleo and vegan coconut macaroons that really taste just like the regular kind!

No eggs or refined sugar and they’re still amazing. I think they’re a perfect healthier Easter dessert. Just like these paleo cupcakes.

Vegan coconut macaroons that are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside! They taste like regular macaroons but are paleo and maple-sweetened. So delicious!

Some macaroons I’ve had are sickeningly sick but not these. They’re just sweet enough. The same is true of these raw chocolate macaroons!

I first tried making these with coconut oil, knowing that way more people have that on hand than coconut butter, but it was a huge mess.

Please do not use coconut oil in these vegan coconut macaroons! It won’t work.

Amazing vegan coconut macaroons that are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside! They taste like regular macaroons but are paleo and maple-sweetened.

Store-bought coconut butter is usually pretty expensive so I make my own. And it’s super easy!

You just need shredded coconut and a high-speed blender or food processor. Here’s how you make homemade coconut butter. Then you can also make these peanut butter coconut Rice Krispe treats with the leftovers!

And on a personal note – we finally have a babysitter! Only took 3 months to find someone. :) Hopefully she’ll stick around so I can bring you more new recipes!

these awesome vegan coconut macaroons that are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside! They taste like regular macaroons but are paleo and maple-sweetened.

Questions about these vegan coconut macaroons?

  • Can I use something other than maple syrup? I’m guessing another liquid sweetener would work fine but since I haven’t tried, I can’t say for sure.

  • Can I use something other than coconut butter? Unfortunately not. There’s no sub for coconut butter and coconut oil will absolutely not work. I recommend trying these Gluten-free Coconut Macaroons if you don’t have coconut butter.

  • Super easy vegan coconut macaroons that are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside! They taste like regular macaroons but are paleo and maple-sweetened.

  • Can I use something other than shredded coconut? These won’t come out properly if you don’t use shredded coconut. I don’t think flaked coconut (those are the longer strands) would work and coconut flakes / chips definitely wouldn’t work. Desiccated coconut probably would.

  • Can I reduce the maple syrup? I used the least amount that I thought was enough. You could try reducing it by a little, but the macaroons will be drier and more crumbly. They might not even hold together. So I really don’t recommend reducing it!

  • Do I have to let the dough sit? When I didn’t let them sit, they didn’t hold their shape as nicely. The edges were overbaked and the cookies were overall kind of greasy. I also tried chilling them to speed things up but letting them sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes was better.

Amazingly easy vegan coconut macaroons that are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside! They taste like regular macaroons but are paleo and maple-sweetened.

Paleo Vegan Coconut Macaroons

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Rated 5.0 by 13 readers
Vegan Coconut Macaroons (paleo)
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Ready in:
  • Yield: 12

Ingredients

  • 5 tablespoons (80 grams) coconut butter – not coconut oil! (please weigh this as it's hard to measure correctly and different brands vary quite a bit)
  • 6 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cup (120 grams) shredded unsweetened coconut

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together everything except the coconut. Stir frequently until everything is melted and well combined. Remove from the heat.
  2. Stir in the coconut. Let the mixture sit for 30-60 minutes at room temperature.
  3. Preheat the oven to 325 °F (163 °C) and line a cookie sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
  4. Use a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop (the scoop is important so they have the right shape – if you don't care about the shape, you can roll them into balls and flatten slightly with your palm) to form 12 25-gram balls. Place at least 2" apart of the cookie sheet. If any bigger bits of coconut are sticking out, pat them down so that they don't burn.
  5. Bake for 21-23 minutes or until the cookies are lightly browned. Let cool on the cookie sheet and let cool completely before storing in an airtight container. They should stay good for up to 1 week. If you dip them in chocolate and drizzle chocolate on them, they last even longer (like 10-14 days!).

Recipe by  | www.texanerin.com

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65 comments on “Vegan Coconut Macaroons (paleo)” — Add one!

3 comments are awaiting moderation!

  • Rhonda says
    December 3, 2021 @ 8:36 pm

    Hi there! Looking forward to trying this recipe. I have a question. Do you think it would work if I added a small amount of chopped or ground nuts to the dough?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Rhonda
      December 3, 2021 @ 8:54 pm

      Hello! I think chopped nuts would be fine but not ground nuts. :) I hope you’ll enjoy them! I’d love to hear how they come out.

      Reply
  • Holly
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    January 5, 2020 @ 3:03 am

    I’ve made plenty of macaroons over the years but always with egg whites and honey. This version is so much better! My daughter has a chicken egg allergies so these were a perfect treat for her. We just knew you would have something decadent on here we could make Erin. Her and my husband wanted to see what they taste like dipped in chocolate so I dipped the bottoms of a few in some melted semi-sweet chocolate and it was heavenly. It tasted like the absolute best version of a Mounds bar you could wish for. YUMMMMMM!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Holly
      January 9, 2020 @ 7:27 pm

      I’m so happy you tried these out! They’re definitely one of my favorites (when they’re dipped in chocolate!). I need to update this recipe to include the chocolate dipping part because it really makes them irresistible. Thanks as always for your comment! I’m really happy you could find something your daughter could eat. :)

      Reply
  • Carlos says
    August 11, 2019 @ 8:54 pm

    Looking forward to trying these, they look great!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Carlos
      August 13, 2019 @ 8:54 pm

      Thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy them. :)

      Reply
  • June
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    May 23, 2019 @ 4:53 am

    Erin, these macaroons are delicious! I have made them several times and we love them. They could not be easier and I like the wholesome ingredients.

    Thank you for sharing the recipe.

    June

    Reply
    • Erin replies to June
      May 27, 2019 @ 12:58 pm

      You’re welcome for the recipe! I’m really glad that you liked them, too. :) You have to try dipping the bottoms in chocolate and drizzling more chocolate on top. That’s how I’ve been making them recently and they’re even (WAY!) better than the plain version. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  • Alisa Fleming says
    April 17, 2019 @ 5:42 pm

    Macaroons were one of my favorite treats as a kid. But I have to admit, these look even better despite being healthier!

    Reply
  • jenna urben says
    April 16, 2019 @ 5:16 pm

    Always love a quick recipe with minimal ingredients! I need to find some coconut butter. I’ve been loving better-for-you treats lately :)

    Reply
    • Erin replies to jenna urben
      April 26, 2019 @ 2:21 pm

      I hope you find it soon! These cookies are seriously SO good. :D

      Reply
  • Suzanne says
    April 13, 2019 @ 6:37 pm

    Looks great! Thanks for the extra tip on how to make your own coconut butter! :)

    Reply
  • AS says
    April 12, 2019 @ 6:33 pm

    Hi was wondering in the description you said “The (sic) require just maple syrup, coconut butter, shredded coconut, vanilla and sugar” yet maybe I am missing something but I do not see in the ingredients list any sugar mentions just maple syrup. Would you mind clarifying please? Thank you so much and cannot wait to make these!!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to AS
      April 12, 2019 @ 6:57 pm

      Oh geez. Thank you for pointing out the typo and a totally wrong word. That should be salt and not sugar! I fixed it (the recipe was correct, the sentence in the post was just wrong). Thank you so much! Sorry for the confusion. I hope you’ll enjoy them!

      Reply
      • AS
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        replies to Erin
        April 13, 2019 @ 11:44 pm

        Wow these are amazing tastes WAY better then ones I’ve had made with bakers sweetened shredded coconut egg whites and more sugar yuk!
        Your recipes never disappoint! Thanks so much! 5*

        Reply
        • Erin replies to AS
          April 14, 2019 @ 8:23 pm

          Oh, yay! I’m so very glad that you enjoyed them and thought that they were better than the regular kind. I was super excited to post these and was bummed to not have gotten any feedback – so thank you so much for coming back to let me know how you liked them! :)

  • Monica says
    April 12, 2019 @ 6:14 pm

    I’m so excited to try this recipe. I’ve had a bag of coconut in my pantry for months, but I never found a good looking recipe to try Macaroons until now.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Monica
      April 19, 2019 @ 9:07 pm

      I hope you’ll make them soon!

      Reply
  • Paula says
    April 10, 2019 @ 6:47 pm

    Adding coconut butter to my grocery list.

    Reply
  • Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie
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    April 10, 2019 @ 4:48 am

    Wow these look great! My family will love them!

    Reply
  • Allyson Zea says
    April 9, 2019 @ 8:31 pm

    WOW! these macaroons like majorly delicious! I can’t wait to try them!

    Reply
  • Jacque Hooper
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    April 9, 2019 @ 5:11 pm

    These look like little bites of heaven! Looking forward to making these!

    Reply
  • Nicole Dawson says
    April 9, 2019 @ 4:54 pm

    I love that these are also vegan & I just happen to have coconut butter, so this is a “must make”

    Reply
  • Taylor
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    April 9, 2019 @ 4:12 pm

    I can’t wait to make these! They look SO yummy!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Taylor
      April 14, 2019 @ 9:03 pm

      I hope you’ll love them as much as we did!

      Reply
  • Anna says
    April 9, 2019 @ 4:34 am

    I can’t wait to make these! We love macaroons!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Anna
      April 14, 2019 @ 8:47 pm

      I hope you’ll enjoy them!

      Reply
  • Jennifer
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    April 8, 2019 @ 9:26 pm

    YUM! These macaroons look so delicious!!!

    Reply
  • Jules Shepard says
    April 6, 2019 @ 6:27 pm

    I haven’t made macaroons in awhile and a new recipe seems like the perfect opportunity! An absolute favorite of mine!

    Reply
  • Angie
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    April 5, 2019 @ 3:46 pm

    I am a huge coconut fan so I love macaroons!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Angie
      April 9, 2019 @ 6:44 pm

      I bet you’d love these!

      Reply
  • Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
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    April 4, 2019 @ 4:19 pm

    These sound delicious! Dangerously good…

    Reply
  • celeste says
    April 4, 2019 @ 4:16 pm

    Macaroons are my favorite dessert. I love how simple this recipe is. Thanks for sharing they look delicious!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to celeste
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:14 pm

      I hope you’ll get to try them out!

      Reply
  • Lora says
    April 4, 2019 @ 12:31 pm

    One of my all-time favorite sweet treats! I love that these aren’t overly sweet and have to make them this weekend!!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Lora
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:14 pm

      I hope you’ll love them as much as we do!

      Reply
  • Bee
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    April 4, 2019 @ 11:26 am

    They are my absolute favorite snack/dessert and I’m so going to try your recipe.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Bee
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:17 pm

      Yay! I’m glad to hear that. :)

      Reply
  • Chrissie Baker
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    says
    April 4, 2019 @ 11:23 am

    All my life coconut macaroons meant spring to me… Fascinated by the thought of maple flavor in them! Different and delicious!

    Reply
  • Sara Welch
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    says
    April 4, 2019 @ 12:49 am

    Your instructions are very helpful; I am excited to make these! My kids love coconut!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Sara Welch
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:18 pm

      I’d love to hear how they come out!

      Reply
  • Rick says
    April 3, 2019 @ 1:52 pm

    Hi

    Long term reader here, love the paleo recipes

    was wondering, even though it is not bakery,
    whether you have any paleo coconut ice cream recipes

    ideally sugar free and for use in a home ice cream machine

    Thanks xxx

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Rick
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:20 pm

      Hello! I only have one, paleo vegan chocolate ice cream, but it’s a really delicious one. :) And you don’t need an ice cream maker. It’s not sugar-free (almost none of my recipes are) but perhaps you could find an alternative low-carb sweetener.

      Reply
  • Natalie
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    April 3, 2019 @ 6:23 am

    YUM! These coconut macaroons look so delicious!

    Reply
  • Bonnie Brown says
    April 3, 2019 @ 4:41 am

    Wow! What a generous sharer you are, Erin! So wonderful to find these GREAT recipes for me (GF) and grandboys (GF and DF), and it’s especially awesome that you use alternative sweeteners! Thank you, thank you! Everything I’ve tried of yours has been SO DELICIOUS! Thanks so very much for sharing! If you publish a cookbook, sign me up! I’m still “old school” and enjoy having them!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Bonnie Brown
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:28 pm

      I’m really happy that you’ve been enjoying the recipes and that you can share them with your grandsons! I probably won’t write a cookbook but I’m glad that you’d want one. :D Thanks for your nice comment!

      Reply
  • Carol says
    April 3, 2019 @ 4:24 am

    Notify me of replies to my comment via e-mail

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Carol
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:25 pm

      I don’t have that info but you could use this recipe analyzer for the nutritional profile. :) I hope you’ll enjoy the cookies! I’d love to hear how they come out.

      Reply
  • Carol says
    April 3, 2019 @ 4:23 am

    Can’t wait to make these Paleo Coconut Macaroons & will definately rate them asap! Do you know what the nutritionals are?

    Reply
  • Charlotte Moore says
    April 3, 2019 @ 3:52 am

    YUM! I LOVE coconut!

    Reply
  • Terri K. says
    April 3, 2019 @ 1:28 am

    I have all these ingredients so I am going to make these for Passover & it is coming up quick.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Terri K.
      April 4, 2019 @ 8:12 pm

      I hope that you’ll enjoy them! I’d love to hear how they come out. :)

      Reply

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