Haupia | Traditional Hawaiian Coconut Flan
Bring a taste of Hawaii to your kitchen with this Traditional Haupia recipe! Made with creamy coconut milk and just a handful of ingredients, this Hawaiian coconut flan is silky, refreshing, naturally dairy-free, and perfect for luaus, summer parties, or easy make-ahead desserts.
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Creamy, cool, and bursting with coconut flavor, Haupia is one of Hawaii’s most beloved desserts. This traditional Hawaiian coconut flan has been enjoyed across the islands for generations, often served at luaus, family gatherings, and celebrations.
Haupia traces its roots to Native Hawaiian cuisine. For example, early versions were thickened with the starch of the pia plant, which inspired the dessert’s name. Today, most recipes use cornstarch to create the same smooth, delicate texture. The result is a lightly sweet coconut dessert that falls somewhere between a pudding and a jelly. Hence, the flan texture!
If you love coconut desserts, Haupia deserves a place in your recipe collection. Its simple ingredients, silky texture, and tropical flavor make it the perfect make-ahead treat for warm days, special occasions, or anytime you are craving a taste of Hawaii.
Looking for some inspiration?… For more Hawaiian Recipes, click HERE! ; for more Recipes with Coconut Milk, click HERE! ; and for more Flan Recipes, click HERE!
~Recipe made in June 2026~
Haupia | Traditional Hawaiian Coconut Flan
Bring a taste of Hawaii to your kitchen with this Traditional Haupia recipe! Made with creamy coconut milk and just a handful of ingredients, this Hawaiian coconut flan is silky, refreshing, naturally dairy-free, and perfect for luaus, summer parties, or easy make-ahead desserts.
Ingredients
- 5 Tbsp (40 g) corn starch
- 4 oz (115 g) Spring Water (1/2 cup | Lukewarm)
- 13.66 oz (385 g) coconut milk (1 can)
- 1.76 oz (50 g) granulated sugar
Instructions
- Grease a 8"x8" (20 x 20 cm) baking dish or square containers.NOTE: This is important for the flan to not sick to the side of the pan.
THICKENER PREPARATION
- In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch together with the lukewarm spring water. Stir until the cornstarch is dissolved then set aside.5 Tbsp corn starch, 4 oz Spring Water
COCONUT FLAN PREPARATION
- In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, combine the coconut milk and granulated sugar. Whisk constantly until mixture begins to simmer.13.66 oz coconut milk, 1.76 oz granulated sugar
- While continuing to whisk, SLOWLY pour in the water/cornstarch mixture until it thickens. Reduce heat to low and continue to whisk until you have a thick, pudding-like consistency.NOTE: This is important, it needs to be thickened while it is heating or it will not set up once it has cooled down.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared container.Allow to cool to room temperature, about 10-15 minutes, then cover and refrigerate for 2+ hours.
- When ready to serve, you can slice directly in your container or flip it over and cut into 2" | 5 cm squares.
- Serve cold and enjoy within 3 days. Bon Appétit & E ʻai kākou! (Meaning "Let's eat everyone!" used when inviting a group to eat)
Nutrition
Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 0.5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
Have You Made This Recipe?Be sure to send me your photos I would love to share them on the blog: bakingwithnessa@hotmail.com
Find it online:
Original Recipe “Haupia” by Erica from the blog Favorite Family Recipes
Envie d’un dessert aux saveurs des îles? Découvrez le “Haupia”, le célèbre flan Hawaiian! Préparé avec du lait de coco et quelques ingrédients simples, ce dessert traditionnel est frais, fondant et naturellement sans produits laitiers. Une délicieuse spécialité d’Hawaii à tester absolument sans tarder!
