How to Cook It: Chocolate-Covered Grilled Coconut
Chocolate-Covered Grilled Coconut With Sea Salt
For many people, coconut encompasses all the summer feels, whether it’s mixed into a refreshing piña colada or hanging from a tree on the beach.
While you might think of coconut as a fruit, this tropical food is technically a fruit, a nut, and a seed, per the Library of Congress. Inside you get a whole lot of fat, so a little goes a long way, but one thing you may not consider it for is its fiber — each raw piece measuring 2 inches by 2½ inches offers 4 grams (g), as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes, making it a good source of the filling nutrient.
Grilling coconut deepens its flavor and dries it enough so that the pieces can be dipped in decadent dark chocolate. A pinch of sea salt rounds out this delicious summertime dessert perfectly! Here’s some inspiration for enjoying coconut this way.
PREP TIME
15 minCOOK TIME
10 minTOTAL TIME
25 minIngredients
Directions
Preheat grill to medium. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Use a Phillips screwdriver to pierce holes in all three of the eyes of the coconut. If necessary, use a hammer to help. Drain all of the coconut water into a bowl and reserve for another purpose.
Use hammer to break coconut in half. Alternatively, place coconut in a 400 degree F oven and bake until outer shell of coconut cracks, about 20 minutes. Use a spoon to separate coconut flesh from outer shell.
Place coconut pieces on preheated grill and cook until they begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Flip coconut pieces and cook for 4–5 minutes more. Place coconut on a plate and cover with aluminum foil.
Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until chocolate is completely melted, about 2–3 minutes.
Break coconut into smaller pieces, if desired. Dip each into melted chocolate using a spatula to spread chocolate evenly, if desired. Sprinkle the chocolate with salt, if using, and allow to cool until chocolate is hardened.
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
calories
211total fat
16gsaturated fat
13.2gprotein
2gcarbohydrates
18gfiber
4.3gsugar
12.7gadded sugar
10.7gsodium
7mg
Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES
Medical Reviewer
Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988.
Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.
Kelly Kennedy, RDN, LDN
Author
Kelly Kennedy is a licensed dietitian-nutritionist with over 14 years of experience in digital media. She previously managed and oversaw nutrition content, recipe development, meal planning, and diet and nutrition coaching at Everyday Health. She developed and reviewed various meal plans, books, slideshows, and online tools, and oversaw the creation of more than 500 unique recipes. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a master's degree from the State University of New York College at Oneonta.
Kennedy enjoys anything that takes her outside, from gardening and playing in the yard with her kids to hiking and even feeding her pet chickens.