Name: Simple Eggless Flan
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Dessert
Ingredients: 1 cup light coconut milk (or almond milk); 3 tbsp maple syrup; 2 tsp agar agar flakes (mine were finely crushed; see notes re: powder); ⅛ tsp raw ground vanilla bean (or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract); a few tbsp date syrup (or coconut syrup), or alternatively some maple syrup

Description

This refined sugar-free and eggless flan adaptation is a delicious, smooth, simple, and comforting little treat. This classic recipe fits a wide variety of diets as it’s gluten-free, vegan, grain-free, and oil-free, soy-free, nut-free, and can be made coconut-free as well.

Ingredients

Flan:

1 cup light coconut milk (or almond milk)
3 tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp agar agar flakes (mine were finely crushed; see notes re: powder)
⅛ tsp raw ground vanilla bean (or 1 tsp pure vanilla extract)

Caramel:

a few tbsp date syrup (or coconut syrup), or alternatively some maple syrup

Instructions

Place all flan ingredients in a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer on medium heat, stirring regularly. Once the mixture comes to a light simmer, let it simmer for about 30 seconds to 1 min, then turn off the heat.
Divide this mixture between three small ramekins (or small glass containers), let cool to room temperature, then carefully place in the fridge and refrigerate for two-three hours (or overnight) to set.
When ready to eat, run a knife around the edge of the flan to loosen it up a little, then flip the ramekin onto a plate and tap the top to release the flan (or alternatively simply enjoy out of the ramekin). Top with some date syrup and enjoy! Keep leftovers refrigerated.

Notes

Note: agar agar flakes are not the same as agar agar powder. They are the same source product, but the change from flakes to powder is significant as the powder is a lot more concentrated. I used flakes here as that is what I had on hand, but if you want to substitute agar agar powder in this recipe you’ll need to reduce the amount to about .66 of a tsp (the conversion of powder to flakes is 1:3).