If you’re craving a dessert that’s refreshingly sweet, a little bit playful, and downright satisfying, you’ve got to try this Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe. It’s one of those treats that’s creamy, fruity, and just a tiny bit chewy—all at once! I love this recipe because it brings together fresh strawberries and creamy coconut milk with the fun texture of tapioca pearls and coconut jellies. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step to make it just right.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Delightfully Refreshing: The combination of fresh strawberries and creamy coconut milk makes every spoonful taste like a tropical summer day.
- Fun, Chewy Texture: Those little tapioca pearls and coconut jellies add a playful chewiness that keeps you coming back for more.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these ingredients at home, making it easy to whip up anytime.
- Family & Friend Favorite: Trust me, once you serve this, your loved ones will be requesting it again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe sing, you want to focus on fresh, ripe strawberries and good-quality coconut milk. The tapioca pearls bring that signature sago sweetness and texture, and the coconut jelly (nata de coco) adds a pleasant chew that elevates the pudding. Shopping tip: grab firm coconut jellies that don’t feel too soft or watery.
- Fresh strawberries: Choose ripe, juicy ones for natural sweetness; if they’re a bit tart, you might want to add a little more sugar later.
- Coconut milk: Full-fat coconut milk works best for rich creaminess and authentic flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Adjust the amount depending on how sweet your strawberries are.
- Small tapioca pearls: Look for the tiny ones often labeled as “sago” pearls for that classic chewy texture.
- Coconut jellies (nata de coco): These add a delightful wiggle and subtle sweetness—don’t skip them!
Variations
One of my favorite things about this Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe is how flexible it is. Whether you want to amp up the fruity flavor, make it vegan-friendly, or add some texture twists, there’s room for your personal touch.
- Tropical Mix-Up: Sometimes I toss in mango chunks or kiwi for an even more tropical vibe—it’s like a mini fruit party in your bowl.
- Lower Sugar: If you prefer, swap granulated sugar for a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey; just be mindful of the flavor balance.
- Dairy-Free Plus: Using coconut milk already makes this dairy-free, but if you want to try almond or oat milk, that works too, though it changes the taste slightly.
- Extra Chew: Adding popping boba or little jelly cubes is a twist my kids go wild for when we have guests.
How to Make Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Strawberry Coconut Base
Start by blending half of your diced strawberries with the coconut milk and sugar. I love this part because it smells like pure summer. Taste the blend and adjust the sugar if needed — remember, strawberries vary in sweetness, so this step helps you get it just right. Pour this smooth, fragrant mixture into your serving bowl and pop it in the fridge to chill while you cook the tapioca pearls.
Step 2: Cook the Tapioca Pearls
Fill a large pot with lots of water—trust me, more than you think you need—and bring it to a rolling boil. Add in the tapioca pearls and stir gently. They need to boil uncovered for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally so they don’t stick together or clump up. Then, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let them steam for another 10 minutes until they’re nice and translucent. They should have that perfect chewy bite.
Step 3: Drain and Rinse the Tapioca Pearls
Drain your pearls in a fine mesh sieve and give them a good rinse with cold water. This stops the cooking process and washes away any excess starch that would make the pearls gummy. If you’re not adding them to the pudding immediately, keep them submerged in cold water so they don’t harden or stick together.
Step 4: Combine and Chill
Mix the cooked tapioca pearls into your chilled strawberry coconut base along with the remaining diced strawberries and those chewy coconut jellies. Stir everything gently so it blends together but keeps all that lovely texture contrast. You can thin out the pudding with a little water if it’s too thick for your taste. Then chill it again or serve cold right away—either way, it’s super refreshing.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe
- Use Plenty of Water: When boiling tapioca pearls, always use a large pot filled nearly to the top with water to avoid sticky clumps and gooey messes.
- Taste as You Go: Sugar amounts can differ depending on your strawberries—don’t be shy to adjust sweetness after blending.
- Chill for Best Flavor: I found that letting the pudding chill for at least an hour really lets the flavors meld beautifully.
- Avoid Sticky Pearls: Quickly rinsing cooked pearls in cold water stops them from continuing to cook and sticking together.
How to Serve Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe
Garnishes
I love topping mine with a few fresh strawberry slices to echo that fruity brightness, plus a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes for crunch and an extra coconutty aroma. Sometimes a small sprig of fresh mint adds a pop of color and freshness, making it almost too pretty to dig in—almost!
Side Dishes
This pudding works beautifully as a light dessert after a spicy meal—think Thai or Vietnamese cuisine. It also pairs well with simple green teas or even a lychee iced tea to keep things cool and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served this in clear glass jars layered with extra strawberries and a drizzle of coconut cream on top. Adding edible flowers has wowed my guests before. It’s such a fun dessert that looks as good as it tastes—perfect for summer parties or a cozy family dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftovers tightly and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just a heads-up: the pudding thickens the longer it sits, so give it a good stir and add a splash of water or coconut milk to loosen it back up before serving again.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t my go-to for this recipe because the tapioca pearls and fresh strawberries can lose their texture after thawing. But if you want to freeze, do so without the pearls and fruit, then add them fresh after thawing the coconut base.
Reheating
This pudding is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so I usually don’t reheat it. Just let it sit out for 10-15 minutes if it’s too cold from the fridge before digging in, or add a little coconut milk to refresh its creaminess.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can! Just thaw them completely and drain any excess juice to avoid watering down the pudding. Using fresh strawberries will give the brightest flavor and best texture, but frozen works in a pinch.
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What’s the difference between sago and tapioca pearls?
Sago pearls are similar to tapioca but often smaller and sometimes made from different starch sources. In this recipe, “small tapioca pearls” are what you want—they’re sometimes called sago pearls because of their size and texture.
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How do I prevent the tapioca pearls from sticking together?
Cook them in plenty of boiling water and stir occasionally while cooking. After draining, immediately rinse them under cold water and keep them submerged if not used right away to maintain their texture.
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Can I make this pudding ahead of time?
Absolutely! It actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours. Just stir well before serving and add a little liquid if it thickens too much.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe is such a gem in my kitchen rotation—I love how it feels special yet easy and approachable. Whether as a light dessert on a warm evening or a cheerful treat to brighten your day, it always hits the spot. I encourage you to give it a try, play around with the add-ins you love, and make it your own. Trust me, your taste buds and anyone you share it with will thank you.
Print
Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Sago is a refreshing and creamy dessert featuring small tapioca pearls cooked to perfection and combined with a smooth blend of fresh strawberries, rich coconut milk, and sweet coconut jellies. This chilled pudding offers a delightful balance of fruity sweetness and tropical creaminess, perfect for cooling down on a warm day.
Ingredients
Fruit & Coconut Blend
- 600 g fresh strawberries, finely diced
- 400 g coconut milk (1 can)
- 50 g granulated sugar, adjust to taste
Tapioca & Add-ins
- 150 g small tapioca pearls
- 225 g coconut jellies (coconut gel or nata de coco), drained
Instructions
- Blend: In a blender, combine 300 g (half) of the diced strawberries with the coconut milk and granulated sugar. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Taste and add more sugar if desired. Pour the blended mixture into a large serving bowl. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator while preparing the tapioca pearls.
- Cook Tapioca Pearls: Fill a medium-sized pot almost full with water and bring it to a rolling boil on the stovetop. Add the tapioca pearls and stir to prevent sticking. Boil uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the pearls separated. Remove the pot from heat, cover, and let the pearls steam for another 10 minutes until they become translucent throughout.
- Drain and Rinse: Transfer the tapioca pearls into a large fine mesh sieve to drain the cooking water. Rinse the pearls thoroughly under cold running water to halt the cooking process and wash away excess starch. If not used immediately, keep the pearls submerged in cold water to prevent clumping.
- Mix Ingredients: Drain the tapioca pearls if submerged, then add them to the chilled strawberry and coconut milk mixture. Add the remaining diced strawberries and the drained coconut jellies to the bowl. Stir gently to combine all the ingredients. If the pudding is too thick, add water to reach your preferred consistency.
- Serve: Chill further as needed and serve cold, optionally with ice on hot days or accompanied by additional fresh fruits or jellies.
Notes
- Cooking Tapioca Pearls: Use a large pot with plenty of water to prevent the pearls from sticking and to dilute the starch released during cooking.
- Sugar Amount: Adjust sugar based on the sweetness of your strawberries, starting with 50 g and increasing up to 100 g if berries are sour.
- Storage: Store the strawberry sago covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It will thicken over time—stir in water before serving to adjust consistency.
- Additional Add-ins: Feel free to add other jellies, popping boba, fresh fruits, or ice for extra texture and flavor.
- Process Tip: Adding the blended strawberry mixture into the bowl first helps with quick cleanup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 150 g)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg