Recipes

Coconut Acai Chia Panna Cotta

Serves 4

| Prep Time: 5 mins

| Cook Time: 2 mins

| Total Time: 4 hours

You may need: Amazon Acai

Discover The Recipe

Açai (pronounced 'Ah-Sah-EEE' in Portuguese) is a berry from a tree found in the Amazon jungle in Brazil that also happens to be a superfood. Commonly served as a frozen-smoothie in a cup with a spoon, açai has a very unique chocolate-berry taste that is downright addictive. It's also packed with nutrients and anti-oxidants and has a low glycemic index (low sugar). We've sourced a freeze-dried powder that retains its nutrients and flavor and combined it with some spices so you can make an easy dessert or add it to your morning yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothie.

This recipe uses coconut milk with chia seeds and gelatine to create a firm texture to hold a shape. Chia seeds (another superfood) have the unique ability to absorb up 10x their weight in fluids and this creates a gel texture after about 4 hours of soaking. They're also packed with nutrients, fiber, and protein. There's no guilt in this dessert so have seconds! Most supermarkets now carry chia seeds or you can find on Amazon. If you feel like making an authentic panna cotta instead, see the Alternate section below for a recipe link.

Ingredients

6 Tbsp chia seeds
1 (14 oz) can of light coconut milk, reserve 2 tbsp for drizzling on plates
1 Tbsp of Amazon Açai spice blend
1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1-2 Tbsp sugar to taste (agave or honey work fine)
2 tsp gelatine* (optional)
2 Tbsp boiling water
1/2 cup fresh berries or seasonal fruit
1/4 cup cashews, chopped (optional)

Notes

*Gelatine is used to firmly set the mixture so it can hold a panna cotta shape from the mold. Or, leave it out and simply serve as a chia pudding in small glasses.

Because we're not using a lot of hot water with the gelatine, you can add another teaspoon of water at a time while whisking until the gelatine dissolves.

Lastly, optional ingredients add a little character and flavor but don’t sweat it if you don’t have them.

Instructions

Bring small amount of water to a boil and remove from heat. In a medium mixing bowl, add chia seeds and coconut milk. Whisk together to separate seeds. Add Amazon Açai spice blend, sugar, and vanilla extract to bowl and whisk into mixture.

In a small bowl, add gelatine. Add 2 Tbsp of hot water and briefly whisk until dissolved. Add dissolved gelatine liquid into mixing bowl and thoroughly whisk together. (skip this step if not using gelatine)

Pour mixture into muffin tins or other baking molds. (If serving as a pudding, spoon into small glasses instead.) Put in fridge for a min of 4 hours for chia seeds to absorb liquid & soften.

Using a knife to run around the edge of each dessert, carefully loosen panna cotta from molds. Flip tin upside down over a plate and gently pop out one at a time. Drizzle remaining coconut milk on each plate and garnish with cashews and berries (or fruit).

Alternatives & Substitutions

*For vegans and others who don't want to use gelatine in this recipe, you can substitute Agar Powder or simple omit the step with gelatine with hot water and make a chia pudding instead. The chia pudding won't hold a form so simply fill small glasses with the desired amount of chia mix before putting in the fridge and serve directly in the cups.
Looking to make a traditional panna cotta recipe instead (milk, cream and sugar and no chia seeds)? Try this recipe and add 1 Tbsp of Piquant Post Amazon Acai spice blend into the mix.
Try our Blueberry Acai Cornbread Muffins, and Blueberry Acai Pancake recipes for a unique Brazilian twist to morning or dessert muffins. Or try using the Amazon Açai blend to make our other delicious and easy dessert recipes: Amazon Acai Sorvete (Acai Sorbet) or this no-bake Blueberry Acai "Cheesecake"!
Our Amazon Acai blend is versatile and can be used to flavor smoothies, bowls of oatmeal and yogurt and more. The flavor of Acai goes perfectly with other berries such as strawberries, blueberries and blackberries so you're only limited by your creativity.
Make a morning coconut acai smoothie as follows: 1 cup coconut milk (or sub soy/almond/regular milk), 1.5 cups of mixed berries (any type), 4 ice cubes, 1 tbsp Amazon Acai blend, and 2 tsp honey (optional). Feel free to add in some leafy greens like kale or spinach for extra nutrients.
Don't forget to leave comments and feedback on your meals and experiments in the comments for others to read.
Post pictures of your masterpiece meal on social media and tag us. We repost!