These no-bake lemon coconut bites are small, gently sweet treats made with desiccated coconut and fresh lemon flavour. They are commonly prepared as a quick homemade sweet when you want something simple without turning on the oven.
This recipe works well for home cooking because it needs no cooking, uses a few basic ingredients, and comes together in minutes. The texture is soft with a light citrus freshness, making it suitable for beginners and family cooking.
Recipe Information
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: None
Total time: 15 minutes + chilling
Serves: 12 to 14 bites
Difficulty level: Very easy
Ingredients
Main ingredients
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1½ cups desiccated coconut
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3 tablespoons condensed milk
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Zest of 1 lemon
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1 tablespoon lemon juice
Flavouring
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¼ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
For coating (optional)
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2 tablespoons extra desiccated coconut
Step-by-Step Method
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Place the desiccated coconut in a mixing bowl.
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Add condensed milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and cardamom if using.
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Mix well using a spoon until the mixture comes together and feels slightly sticky.
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Take small portions of the mixture and roll into bite-sized balls using your palms.
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If desired, roll each ball lightly in extra desiccated coconut for coating.
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Place the bites on a plate or tray.
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Chill in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes to firm up slightly.
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Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Cooking Tips
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Adjust the lemon juice to taste depending on how sharp you like the flavour.
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If the mixture feels too dry, add a little more condensed milk.
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If it feels too soft, add a spoon of extra coconut.
Variations
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Vegan: Use coconut condensed milk instead of dairy condensed milk.
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Less sweet: Reduce condensed milk slightly and increase coconut.
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Extra flavour: Add a pinch of finely chopped lemon peel for stronger citrus notes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve as a small dessert after meals, with afternoon tea, or as a homemade sweet treat for guests. These bites also work well for kids.
Storage and Reheating
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Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Do not freeze, as the texture may change.
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No reheating required.
Recipe Image Description:
A three-quarter angle photograph of no-bake lemon coconut bites arranged on a simple white ceramic plate. The bites are small, round, and snow-white with fine coconut texture, lightly garnished with a few thin strips of lemon zest. The plate sits on a light stone surface with a whole lemon placed to the side. Soft natural daylight, clean uncluttered background, sharp focus on the bites, natural colours, realistic home-style presentation.
