Creamy, sweet, and delicious vegan flan that literally melts in your mouth. This crème caramel is a no-bake dessert that requires only 15 minutes of prep time. The recipe is egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and very easy to make.
Creme Caramel vs Flan
A classic flan (pronounced FLAHN) is made from eggs, sugar, cream, and milk in a hot water bath. Sweet flan is a common custard dessert in Portugal, Spain, Latin America, and in the Caribbean (e.g. Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, etc.). A well-known variation of French cuisine is crème caramel. The desserts look very similar, however, flan can be either sweet or savory. Crème caramel is only served sweet.
What You Need
Of course, I didn’t use cream, milk, or eggs. Below are the ingredients and their substitutes that you will need for the vegan flan recipe.
All ingredients AND measurements are listed in the printable recipe card below! There you will also find the nutrition facts (calories in flan).
- Coconut milk – Since I live in the Caribbean, I used coconut milk (flan de coco is very popular here). However, you can also use soy cream or oat cream or a combination of a plant-based cream and plant-based milk.
- Cornstarch – Arrowroot flour might be used instead of cornstarch.
- Maple syrup – Any other liquid sweetener can be used instead of maple syrup, for example, agave syrup, date syrup, brown rice syrup.
- Sugar – You could also use brown sugar instead of white sugar. To make the flan refined sugar-free, try coconut sugar or date sugar with a little maple syrup.
- Vanilla extract, and salt – Used for flavor.
- Agar powder – You will need agar powder and not agar flakes. If you only have agar flakes, make sure to use three times as much (2 teaspoons).
How To Make Vegan Flan?
You won’t need a food processor or blender to make this coconut flan. All you need is two saucepans (I actually used the same saucepan) and a stove. Check the step-by step-photos below:
STEP 1: Start by making the caramel: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once it starts boiling, turn down the heat, let simmer until the sugar caramelizes, then turn off the heat.
STEP 2: Pour the caramel into 4 small ramekins and spread it with a spoon or simply by tilting the ramekins. Try to be quick as the caramel starts to thicken. Set aside and start making the custard.
STEP 3: Add coconut milk, maple syrup, cornstarch, agar powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt to a medium-sized saucepan.
STEP 4: Stir with a whisk until combined, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. As soon as it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let simmer for 2 minutes to activate the agar, then remove from heat.
STEP 5: Pour the creme into the 4 ramekins and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
STEP 6: To unmold the flan, carefully slide a knife around the edges of each ramekin. Invert a platter on top of the ramekin and turn the ramekin and platter over (shake it carefully to release the flan).
Since sugar is highly hydrophilic, it will absorb moisture from the air in the fridge and from the custard and therefore, the caramel will be liquid once you unmold the flan.
Tips And Variations
- Make a flan cake: Use a larger mold instead of 4 small ramekins to make a flan cake.
- Add a flavor: You can add orange juice to make orange flan. It will add a refreshing and interesting flavor.
- Add a crunchy topping: You could add roasted walnuts, almonds, cashews or coconut on top of the caramel sauce for a nice crunch.
How To Store?
Store the flan covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it.
If you love easy vegan no-bake recipes, make sure to check out my other delicious vegan desserts that also happen to be gluten-free.
- Homemade Marzipan
- Peanut Butter Mousse
- Lemon Coconut Balls
- No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
- 3-Ingredient Coconut Balls
- Healthy No-Bake Brownies
- No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars
- Homemade Bounty Bars
- Breakfast Granola Cups
Should you give this tasty vegan flan recipe a try, please leave a comment and rating below and tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with #elavegan and @elavegan.
Vegan Flan
Ingredients
Caramel:
- 1/3 cup (70 g) sugar (*see notes)
- 1-2 tbsp water
Custard:
- 2 cups (480 ml) canned coconut milk can shaken (*see notes)
- 3-4 tbsp (60-80 g) maple syrup (*see notes)
- 2 tbsp (16 g) cornstarch (*see notes)
- 2/3 tsp agar powder (*see notes)
- Pinch of sea salt
- 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.
- For the caramel, add sugar and water to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Once it starts boiling, turn down the heat, let simmer until it's dark golden brown and thickens, then turn off the heat.
- Quickly pour the caramel into 4 small ramekins and spread the caramel around the bottom with a spoon or simply by tilting the ramekins. Set aside while you make the custard.
- For the custard, add coconut milk, maple syrup, cornstarch, agar powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt to a medium-sized saucepan and stir with a whisk.
- Once combined, bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. As soon as it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and let simmer for 2 minutes to activate the agar, then remove from heat.
- Pour the custard into the 4 ramekins and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
- To unmold the flan, gently slide a knife around the edges of each ramekin. Invert a platter on top of the ramekin and turn the ramekin and platter over (shake it carefully). Check the step-by-step photos in the blog post above.
- Enjoy! Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Refined sugar-free version: Try coconut sugar or date sugar with a little maple syrup instead of white sugar.
- Coconut milk: You can also use lite coconut milk or a mixture of soy cream or oat cream with the addition of soy milk or oat milk.
- Maple syrup: Agave syrup, brown rice syrup or any other liquid sweetener can be used instead of maple syrup.
- Cornstarch: Arrowroot flour might be an alternative to cornstarch.
- Agar powder: Make sure to use agar powder (not flakes). If you have agar flakes, you will need to use 3 times as much (2 teaspoons).
- Recipe serves 4. Nutrition facts are for one serving.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
Do you think this recipe would do well to make a panna cotta?
Yes, I think so. 🙂
Awesome. Going to try it tonight!
I made this for my family and it turned out delicious, light and with such a smooth texture! Will make again in the future!
Sounds perfect, Lu! Thanks for your awesome feedback. 🙂
Another winner from Ela!
Made this recipe for a mexican food christmas eve dinner and it was absolutely delicious.
I have always loved traditional flan and the texture and flavor of this recipe was so close.
My mother in law discovered she is allergic to eggs and she has been so disappointed about not being able to eat flan anymore so it was such a delight to be able to make this for her to enjoy.
I did modify the recipe as I couldn’t find Agar powder. I used a non vegan substitute of gelatin. One packet of gelatin about 8g, worked perfectly and gave the most wonderful flan like texture.
Excited to make this again in the future.
Ela, you’re wonderful!!
Aww, thanks so much for your lovely feedback, Mak. I am glad your mom was able to enjoy it! 🙂
Followed recipe and used all ingredients as specified .The “flan” had a weird slimy texture and does not come even close to a real flan. Im Hispanic and have tried many flans in my life. Unfortunately this vegan recipe is no good. Will continue looking.
Hi Marcella, sorry to hear that, but that’s really weird. “Slimy texture” sounds like either “oat milk” or “tapioca flour” was used. I never had a slimy texture and haven’t heard from anyone else that this happened with this recipe.
I make this all the time! It’s amazingly delicious and super easy to make 🥰 thanks!
You are welcome, Hayley. I am glad you like it. 🙂
This was so incredibly good! I made it for my friend’s birthday and am making it again for my boyfriend’s birthday! I am so happy with this recipe, as I am with all your recipes!
That makes me so happy, Suzan! Thanks for your lovely feedback. 🙂
This recipe is great, very simple and delish. I had trouble with the caramel though, but eventually found out how with trial and error.
My flan tasted like flan and my non-vegan family approves. The only issue I had is the texture of the top part was a bit grainy looking, but it looked really good flipped over. Will try to play around with the agar agar and cornstarch ratio to find the best one for me since I used fresh coconut milk from the wet market ✨ thank you!
You are so welcome! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
This looks great, I’m assuming everyone will give it 5 starts after I make it. How much orange juice should I add for zest. Thanks!
Hi Cami, I would probably replace 1/3 of a cup of coconut milk with orange juice. 🙂
Greetings Ela,
Thank you for this divine recipe. I believe it’s better to use two tablespoons of water with the sugar for the caramel. I found that after leaving the flan in the fridge overnight the caramel poured out better when it was prepared wetter as opposed to dryer. I used the coconut milk in a carton which turned out beautifully….. Thanks again for sharing. ????
Thanks so much for sharing, Diana. 🙂
hi I made this today, the taste was excellent but it was unclear whether to use coconut milk or coconut cream…also the corn starch bunched together like gummy beads at the bottom of the dish after a few hours in the refridgerator. I didnt use agar powder but I ordered some to try again. thank you.
Hi Jamie, the recipe calls for canned coconut milk. 🙂
hi Ela, is it ok to use Almond milk or soy milk instead of coconut milk? and Coconut sugar instead of other sugars?
Hi Ani, it won’t taste as rich and delicious with almond or soy milk, so I do not recommend it. You can try using coconut sugar. 🙂
Hi Ela,
I had no idea you lived in the Caribbean. I have recently moved to the islands and find it hard to find certain ingredients. E.g Agar powder. Do you have any advice on sourcing specialist ingredients in these regions or do you sometimes have to ship them in? Would love to know.
Hi Jess, unfortunately, I didn’t have luck finding them here, so I have to order certain things in the US. 🙂
Hi there. I live in the Caribbean as well, and have had luck finding the agar agar in specialty health or vegan stores, even though it may be a bit on the pricy side
This flan is really exceptional. I made is for a Mexican themed dinner party. It was delicious, super easy and I love that I could prep it the day before. I’ll be making this again.
That’s awesome, Vanessa! I am so glad you loved it. 🙂