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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Dairy-Free Panna Cotta Recipe

Dairy-Free Panna Cotta Recipe

February 12, 2018 (Updated: July 30, 2019)   —  by Katie Wells

Dairy free panna cotta recipe

Reading Time: 3 minThis post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

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  • The Best Panna Cotta Recipe (Dairy Free and Delicious)
  • Panna Cotta Flavors and Toppings
  • Dairy-Free Panna Cotta Recipe
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Panna cotta (Italian for “cooked cream”) is a delicious dessert that originated in northern Italy. It is made from simmering a mixture of cream, milk, and sugar (and don’t forget the fresh vanilla bean!) and then adding gelatin and chilling until set.

I’ve also dressed up this dessert for special occasions (like a date night in) with a drizzle of honey, some fresh berries, and even a splash of Marsala wine. I’ve even made this for birthdays before in place of cake or ice cream and it was a hit!

The Best Panna Cotta Recipe (Dairy Free and Delicious)

To me the best recipe is also one with real food, healthy fats, and lots of nutrition. Panna cotta fits the bill.

In fact I found one source that said traditional Italian panna cotta was made by simmering cream with fish bones so that the gelatin in the fish bones would cause the cream to gel. I’m not sure I want to get that traditional (!) so I’m taking the modern approach and using powdered gelatin from a healthy source. (This is the one I use.)

I love this dessert because it’s the perfect backdrop of fresh fruit or berries when in season, not to mention quick and easy. It takes less than 10 minutes to make guest-worthy dessert, but is definitely kid-approved as well. (Better yet, teach the kids how to make it!)

Just by its nature panna cotta is gluten free and grain free, but I wanted to find a dairy-free version as well. For this recipe, I used my homemade almond milk and homemade coconut milk, though store-bought versions will work as well.

Panna Cotta Flavors and Toppings

Almost like a sundae, you can dress up panna cotta in a variety of (mouth-watering) ways. Some toppings I’ve seen on panna cotta in restaurants are:

  • fresh fruit or berries
  • chocolate sauceDairy Free and Refined Sugar Free Panna Cotta Recipe
  • various fruit sauces
  • caramel sauce
  • grated chocolate
  • nuts
  • a splash of Marsala wine

I love that this panna cotta recipe can be lightly sweetened, just fruit sweetened, or even completely unsweetened. The gelatin whipped with creamy milk creates a silk-like texture that is a favorite of kids and adults alike in our house.

Dairy free panna cotta recipe
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4.2 from 15 votes

Dairy-Free Panna Cotta Recipe

Delicious and creamy homemade coconut milk panna cotta is a perfect nutrient-rich treat for any time of year. With healthy fats, skin-healthy gelatin, and a hint of vanilla it's a family favorite at our house!
Course Dessert
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 +
Calories 302kcal
Author Katie Wells
The ingredient links below are affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups coconut milk or make your own
  • 2 cups almond milk or make your own
  • 2 TBSP + 1 tsp unflavored gelatin
  • 3 TBSP raw honey
  • 3 TBSP  maple syrup
  • 2 tsp  vanilla extract
  • toppings of choice optional

Instructions

  • Pour both milks into a medium saucepan and sprinkle gelatin over the top.
  • Gently whisk in gelatin and wait 5 minutes before turning on the heat to allow the gelatin to soften.
  • Add honey and maple syrup and vanilla to saucepan.
  • Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until milk is hot enough to steam. Do not boil as this will deactivate the gelling properties of the gelatin.
  • Lightly grease small bowls or molds with coconut oil and pour the heated mixture into the bowls.
  • Cover and place in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours or overnight.
  • Serve in bowls or gently turn out onto serving dishes and add toppings.

Notes

  • Coconut milk or almond milk may be used, just use 4 cups of milk total. Dairy milk also works well for this recipe.
  • Make sure that the gelatin is actual gelatin and not collagen hydrolysate/collagen peptides or it will not gel.
  • Honey or maple syrup can be used alone or left out completely. Fresh fruit puree can also be used for natural sweetness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cup | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.6g | Protein: 8.4g | Fat: 25.6g | Saturated Fat: 22.7g | Sodium: 31mg | Sugar: 9.1g

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Have you ever made panna cotta? How was it? Share below!

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Category: Dessert Recipes, Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (35 Comments)

  1. Erica

    July 1, 2014 at 2:09 AM

    Thank you!! I absolutely love panna cotta but haven’t had it since being dairy free, so I’m very excited to try this! Thanks for your great recipes!! 🙂

    Reply
  2. Sarah

    June 30, 2014 at 6:24 AM

    Ooh! Smooth, creamy, and dairy free – its sure to be a winner 🙂 Would make a great breakfast. Do you think I could add protein powder?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      June 30, 2014 at 11:44 AM

      You could certainly try it… Let us know if it works!

      Reply
  3. Virginia Miner

    June 28, 2014 at 10:02 AM

    Looks yummy!!!

    Reply
  4. Terry

    June 27, 2014 at 1:03 PM

    When do the honey/maple syrup and the vanilla get added in? I’m not seeing that step in the method. After heating?
    I’m looking forward to trying this out.

    Reply
  5. deborah

    June 27, 2014 at 5:32 AM

    Im thinking this would be a nice breakfast food?

    Reply
  6. Rebecca

    June 26, 2014 at 7:44 PM

    When do you add the honey and maple syrup? The directions don’t specify. Thanks!
    Oh, and, shouldn’t the word be grease instead of crease in direction #3?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      June 27, 2014 at 3:07 PM

      Thanks! Add them after the gelatin has proofed but before heating

      Reply
  7. Samantha

    June 26, 2014 at 7:20 PM

    When do you add the honey and vanilla?

    Reply
  8. Carla

    June 26, 2014 at 6:24 PM

    I just had to check this out because I’d never heard of Panna Cotta before. Interesting!

    Reply
  9. Melissa Smith

    June 26, 2014 at 5:17 PM

    I just made panna cotta last night for the first time! I went with heavy cream, milk, and a bit of Greek yogurt for a probiotic factor. Absolutely delicious. The panna cotta was lemon flavoured, and for a topping the recipe called for gelled pomegranite juice (more gelatin). I think I’m in love. Looking forward to trying out a non-dairy version too.

    Reply
  10. Heather C

    June 26, 2014 at 2:16 PM

    We can’t use almond. Would it be ok to sub more coconut milk?

    Reply
    • Heather C

      June 26, 2014 at 2:18 PM

      Oops you actually answeredthat later on in the post! Sorry 🙂 we will try this with just coconut! Thanks!

      Reply
    • Sharon

      January 1, 2015 at 4:33 AM

      I use more coconut then almond, and it’s nice

      Reply
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