My sister requested vegan panna cotta dessert for her birthday, so I experimented to make it perfect. My first attempt using silken tofu was a complete disaster. Even though I followed the recipe, the panna cotta never set as it was supposed to. So, I experimented with this recipe from Allrecipes.com (thank you, All Recipes), replacing milk with oat milk, gelatin with agar powder, and sugar with agave syrup. My panna cotta came out fantastic! Here is my perfected vegan panna cotta recipe for you to try.
Is agar powder vegan?
Yes, agar powder is vegan. Agar, also known as agar-agar, is derived from red algae and is commonly used as a vegetarian and vegan alternative to gelatin, which is animal-based. It works well as a gelling agent in recipes like panna cotta, providing a firm texture without the use of animal products.
Vegan Panna Cotta recipe substitutions
In this recipe, you can make several substitutions to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. Instead of agave syrup, use sugar in equal measure for sweetness.
Substitute almond milk for oat milk, though I haven’t tried this variation yet—I will and update this post once I do.
For a different twist on the topping, use cranberry sauce instead of strawberry sauce.
Note: This vegan panna cotta has a slight tint instead of being completely white because of the natural color of the oat milk.
Vegan Panna Cotta Recipe
Ingredients:
Panna Cotta:
- 3 1/2 cups oat milk
- 5 tbsp agave syrup
- 2 tsp agar powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Strawberry Sauce:
- 10 medium-sized strawberries
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Prepare the Panna Cotta:
- In a medium saucepan, mix the oat milk, agave syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt together.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once boiling, add the agar powder and reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously to ensure the agar powder is fully dissolved.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture cool for about 5 minutes.
- Set the Panna Cotta:
- Lightly spray a muffin tin with a small amount of oil.
- Pour the panna cotta mixture into the muffin tin compartments.
- Transfer the muffin tin to the refrigerator and let the panna cotta set for at least 2 hours.
- Prepare the Strawberry Sauce:
- While the panna cotta is setting, wash and hull the strawberries.
- In a small saucepan, combine the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the sauce thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the sauce cool. You can leave it chunky or blend it for a smoother texture.
- Serve:
- Once the panna cotta is set, carefully remove each panna cotta from the muffin tin.
- Serve each panna cotta with a generous spoonful of strawberry sauce on top.
Enjoy !
