If you’re craving a dessert that feels like a tropical vacation in a bowl, you’re going to love this Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe. It’s this dreamy, refreshing treat that’s creamy, slightly sweet, and packed with fun textures from tender tapioca pearls and chewy coconut jellies. I absolutely love how this turns out — especially on warm days when something cold and fruity hits the spot perfectly. Stick around, I’ll walk you through every step so you nail it the first time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with fresh flavor: The combination of ripe strawberries and creamy coconut milk creates a perfectly balanced tropical dessert.
- Fun texture play: Tender tapioca pearls and chewy coconut jellies add delightful contrast to every spoonful.
- Easy to make at home: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make it approachable for cooks of any level.
- Customizable to your taste: You can adjust sweetness, thickness, and mix-ins to make it truly your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe plays a starring role to create that creamy, fruity goodness. When shopping, pick the freshest strawberries you can find—they really make a difference. Also, grab small tapioca pearls because they cook quickly and give that perfect chewy texture.

- Fresh strawberries: Try to find bright, ripe berries for the sweetest flavor; washing and dicing them nicely makes mixing easier.
- Coconut milk: Use full-fat canned coconut milk for richness and a luscious mouthfeel.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetness level depends on your berries, so start with less and add more if needed.
- Small tapioca pearls: These need plenty of boiling water and care to cook to the right softness without turning gummy.
- Coconut jellies (nata de coco): These add a chewy texture and a subtle coconut flavor that balances well with the pudding.
Variations
I love tweaking this Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe depending on seasons or what’s in my kitchen. It’s so versatile, you might find yourself trying out fun combos that totally surprise you in a good way!
- Swap fruits: Once, I tried mango instead of strawberries during summer and it was a tropical dream come true—super sweet and silky!
- Dairy-free options: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, but you can add a splash of almond milk if you want a lighter coconut flavor.
- Add some zing: A little lime zest or juice stirred in at the end gives a nice fresh kick to balance the richness.
- Extra textures: Try adding popping boba or crushed nuts for an unexpected crunchy surprise.
How to Make Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe
Step 1: Blend Your Strawberry Coconut Base
Start by adding half your diced strawberries, coconut milk, and granulated sugar into a blender. Blend everything until smooth—this is the creamy, dreamy base of your pudding. Taste it and adjust the sugar if your berries aren’t super sweet. Pour this luscious mixture into a large bowl and pop it in the fridge to chill while you work on the tapioca pearls. Trust me, this step makes your pudding extra vibrant and fresh.
Step 2: Cook the Tapioca Pearls Just Right
Fill a large pot almost to the brim with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add your tapioca pearls and give them a gentle stir so they don’t stick. Let them boil uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, turn off the heat but keep the pot covered, allowing the pearls to steam for another 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they turn translucent all the way through—no chalky centers! This method keeps them perfectly chewy but not gummy.
Step 3: Drain and Rinse to Stop Cooking
Pour the pearls into a fine mesh sieve and rinse them under cold running water. This stops the cooking process right away and washes away excess starch that can make your pudding too thick or gummy. If you’re not assembling immediately, keep the pearls submerged in cold water so they stay separated and fresh. Otherwise, drain well before mixing.
Step 4: Mix It All Together for a Perfect Finish
Now for the fun part—fold in the remaining diced strawberries, coconut jellies, and of course, your perfectly cooked tapioca pearls into that chilled coconut-strawberry base. If you find the pudding too thick, simply add a little cold water until it reaches your preferred consistency. Stir gently, serve chilled, and enjoy that harmonious blend of creamy sweetness and chewy textures!
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe
- Use plenty of water when cooking tapioca pearls: I learned this the hard way—the pearls stick and get overly gooey if the water isn’t enough.
- Adjust sugar after blending: Strawberries vary in sweetness, so always taste the blended mixture and tweak as needed to suit your palate.
- Rinse your cooked tapioca pearls: This stops the cooking process and prevents the pearls from clumping together, keeping that ideal chewy texture.
- Don’t skip chilling the base: Cooling the blended mixture before adding tapioca pearls helps the pudding set nicely and tastes more refreshing.
How to Serve Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe

Garnishes
I love to sprinkle a few whole fresh strawberry slices on top and add a small mint leaf for a pop of color and a hint of freshness. Sometimes, I also add toasted shredded coconut for an extra layer of flavor and a touch of crunch that pairs wonderfully with the pudding’s creaminess.
Side Dishes
This pudding is fantastic on its own, but if you’re serving it as part of a bigger meal, I enjoy it alongside light summer eats like grilled fish tacos or fresh spring rolls. The cool, creamy pudding is a beautiful contrast to those vibrant, savory dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I’ve layered this pudding in clear glasses with extra coconut jellies and sliced strawberries between the layers—kind of like a fancy trifle. It looks stunning and makes for an impressive dessert presentation that your guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually keep leftovers covered tightly in a container in the fridge, and they stay good for up to 3 days. The pudding will thicken in the fridge, so just stir in a little cold water before serving again to loosen it up and bring back that silky texture.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal for this pudding because the tapioca pearls can change texture and become hard or mushy after thawing. I recommend enjoying it fresh or storing in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
This pudding is best enjoyed cold, but if you want to warm it slightly, gently heat it in a microwave-safe bowl for about 10–15 seconds—just enough to take the chill off without losing the pearls’ chewy texture or the smoothness of the coconut mixture.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries in this recipe?
Absolutely! If fresh strawberries aren’t available, frozen works well too. Just thaw them and drain any excess liquid before dicing to avoid making the pudding watery.
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How do I know when tapioca pearls are fully cooked?
They should become translucent all the way through with no white or chalky centers. When cooked properly, they will be chewy but still tender. Steaming after boiling is key to getting this texture.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! This recipe is already vegan since it uses coconut milk instead of dairy. Just double-check your tapioca pearls and jellies are made without animal-based ingredients.
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What if I don’t have coconut jellies?
No worries! You can leave them out or substitute with other chewy jellies or even diced fresh fruit like mango or lychee for extra texture.
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How sweet should the pudding be?
That’s totally up to your taste and how sweet your strawberries are. I start with 50 grams of sugar and adjust from there. Remember, chilling the pudding dulls sweetness slightly, so taste as you go.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe has become one of my go-to desserts when I want something light but satisfying. It feels fancy enough to serve to guests but is easy enough for a quick sweet treat after dinner. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll soon see why my family goes crazy for it! Plus, playing around with the textures and flavors is half the fun in the kitchen. Enjoy every spoonful!
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Strawberry Coconut Sago Pudding Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Strawberry Sago is a refreshing and delightful dessert featuring a blend of fresh strawberries, creamy coconut milk, chewy tapioca pearls, and sweet coconut jellies. This chilled pudding is perfect for hot days, combining smooth, fruity, and textured elements for a satisfying treat that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Fruit and Coconut Mixture
- 600 g fresh strawberries, finely diced
- 400 g coconut milk (1 can)
- 50 g granulated sugar, adjust to taste
Tapioca Pearls
- 150 g small tapioca pearls
Add-ins
- 225 g coconut jellies (coconut gel or nata de coco), drained
Instructions
- Blend the Strawberry Mixture: Place 300 g (half) of the diced strawberries into a blender along with the coconut milk and granulated sugar. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more sugar if needed. Pour the blended mixture into a large serving bowl and chill it in the refrigerator while preparing the tapioca pearls.
- Cook the Tapioca Pearls: Fill a medium pot almost full with water and bring it to a boil on the stovetop. Once boiling, add the tapioca pearls and stir to prevent sticking. Boil uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let the pearls steam for another 10 minutes until they become translucent.
- Drain and Rinse Pearls: Pour the cooked tapioca pearls into a large fine mesh sieve to drain the water. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and remove excess starch. If not using immediately, keep the pearls submerged in cold water to prevent sticking.
- Combine and Serve: Drain the tapioca pearls and add them to the chilled strawberry and coconut milk mixture. Then add the remaining diced strawberries and the drained coconut jellies. Stir everything gently to combine. Adjust the consistency by adding water if desired. Serve the strawberry sago chilled.
Notes
- Cooking Tapioca Pearls: Use plenty of water when boiling the pearls to prevent them from sticking together and to dilute released starch, avoiding a gooey texture.
- Sugar Adjustment: Sweetness depends on the ripeness of your strawberries. Use 50 g sugar for ripe, sweet strawberries or increase up to 100 g for more sour berries.
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator covered for up to 3 days. The pudding will thicken over time, so stir in water to reach desired consistency before serving later.
- Other Add-ins: Feel free to add other jellies, popping boba, fresh fruits, or ice to customize your dessert.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg


