Quick Answer: Best Thai Desserts
The best authentic and delicious Thai desserts are Mango Sticky Rice, Coconut Ice Cream, Sticky Rice in Bamboo, Kluai Thot, Coconut Rice Dumplings, Mung Bean Candy, Thai Jelly, Pumpkin Sangkaya, Thai Pancakes, Thai Roti, Banana Leaf Sticky Rice, Tapioca Mango Pudding, Tropical Thai Fruit Salad, Thai-Style Crème Caramel and others. Read to know more!
Check out some of the best authentic Thai desserts!
Many of the items listed here have been a part of Thai culture for centuries. Each Thai dessert either boasts of fresh local produce or the history of Siam, including auspicious traditions set in the 1700s.
To learn more about these amazing Thai desserts, keep reading!
Best Thai Desserts: Quick Table
| Recipe | Preparation Time |
|---|---|
| Mango Sticky Rice | 50 min |
| Coconut Ice Cream | 30 min |
| Sticky Rice in Bamboo | 12 hrs 40 min |
| Kluai Thot | 20 min |
| Mung Bean Candy | 2 hrs |
| Thai Jelly | 2 hrs |
| Pumpkin Sangkaya | 2 hrs |
| Thai Pancakes | 1 hr 6 min |
| Thai Roti | 20 min |
| Banana Leaf Sticky Rice | 1 hr 15 min |
| Tapioca Mango Pudding | 30 min |
| Tropical Thai Fruit Salad | 15 min |
| Thai-Style Creme Caramel | 43 min |
| Grilled Pineapple Pops | 35 min |
| Thai Black Sticky Rice Pudding | 2 hrs 5 min |
| Custard-Filled Bread | NA |
| Starfruit In Mango Orange Sauce | 18 min |
| Coconut Cake With Fluffy Coconut Icing | 1 hr |
| Sticky Rice Cake | 30 min |
| Sesame Pancakes | 35 min |
| Round Egg Yolk Drop | 40 min |
| Khanom Tom | 45 min |
| Foi Thong | 1 hr 50 min |
| Khanom Med Khanoon | 1 hr 45 min |
| Khanom Sod Sai | 55 min |
| Mung Bean Cake | 25 min |
| Steamed Coconut Pandan Cake | 11 hrs |
| Bua Loy | 1 hr |
| Black Sesame Pudding | 15 min |
1. Mango Sticky Rice
Preparation Time: 50 min
Khao Niaow Ma Muang, also known as Mango Sticky Rice, is one of the most popular desserts in Thailand.
As the name suggests, it is a sticky rice pudding flavored with the ripest mangoes, coconut milk, and brown sugar.
It only takes a few ingredients and some simple steps to make.
DIY recipe for Mango Sticky Rice – >
2. Coconut Ice Cream
Preparation Time: 30 min
Simple, yet delicious, coconut ice cream is a staple dessert in Thailand.
The texture is somewhere between regular ice cream and sorbet.
Each spoon brings with it a creamy explosion of refreshing coconut in your mouth. You can even add cut fruit or coconut liqueur for an extra touch.
DIY recipe for Coconut Ice Cream – >
3. Sticky Rice in Bamboo
Preparation Time: 12 hrs 40 min
This dessert takes half a day to prepare but it has the most unique taste and texture.
It is also considered auspicious for all Thai special occasions.
Better known as Com Lam in the region, Sticky Rice in Bamboo must be roasted inside a bamboo shoot on an open fire.
DIY recipe for Sticky Rice in Bamboo – >
4. Kluai Thot
Preparation Time: 20 min
A very common dessert in East Asia, Kluai Thot is just one of the many names for sweet banana fritters.
These are cooked with brown sugar and drizzled with sesame seeds on top.
The natural sweetness of the banana is augmented with sweet sauces and shredded coconut.
DIY recipe for Kluai Thot – >
5. Mung Bean Candy
Preparation Time: 2 hrs
Mung Bean Candy is called Luk Chup by locals and is a special dessert unique to Thailand. These candies are typically shaped and colored like miniature fruits and vegetables.
Luk Chup is made from mung bean paste mixed with sweet coconut milk.
After molding and painting the candies, they’re glazed with a gelatine coating.
DIY recipe for Mung Bean Candy – >
6. Thai Jelly
Preparation Time: 2 hrs
What’s special about Thai jelly is that it uses agar, making it a vegan dessert. You’ll find many varieties of this layered jelly that’s made from the freshest of local ingredients.
Common favorites include Thai jelly made from coconut and pandan or coconut and mango.
DIY recipe for Thai Jelly – >
7. Pumpkin Sangkaya
Preparation Time: 2 hrs
One of the most unique and authentic desserts from Thailand, Pumpkin Sangkaya is a traditional Thai coconut egg custard.
It is steamed inside a pumpkin gourd, which is what gives it its unique appearance.
The sweet blend of egg, sugar, and coconut cream when steamed makes for an amazing dessert.
DIY recipe for Pumpkin Sangkaya – >
8. Thai Pancakes
Preparation Time: 1 hr 6 min
Khanom Buang, or Thai Pancakes, are thin, crepe-like desserts that you can stuff with any filling you like. Traditionally, this dish is served with a Foi Thong filling (described later).
Try using a mortar and pestle for the most authentic results. Nevertheless, a food processor can work too.
DIY recipe for Thai Pancakes – >
9. Thai Roti
Preparation Time: 20 min
Thai Roti is another crispy dessert that can be served as it is or with toppings. The crunchy layer of Thai Roti goes splendidly with sweetened condensed milk and sugar.
You can also top your Roti with cut fruits, whipped cream, Nutella, or any contemporary touch you’d like to add to it.
DIY recipe for Thai Roti – >
10. Banana Leaf Sticky Rice
Preparation Time: 1 hr 15 min
Sticky Rice is almost a staple when it comes to Thai desserts. Earlier, we read about the kind you make in bamboo shoots. This is another way to prepare it using a banana leaf.
Banana Leaf Sticky Rice is a very popular street snack packed in a neat little parcel.
DIY recipe for Banana Leaf Sticky Rice – >
11. Tapioca Mango Pudding
Preparation Time: 30 min
Thai Tapioca Mango Pudding is a common favorite because of its gelatinous texture.
The bubbly tapioca pearls rest in a bed of creamy mango pudding.
DIY recipe for Tapioca Mango Pudding – >
12. Tropical Thai Fruit Salad
Preparation Time: 15 min
Full of authentic Thai flavors, this simple dessert takes only a few minutes to make.
Dice up some tropical fruit and serve it in a sweet coconut-lime fruit salad dressing for this sweet treat.
DIY recipe for Tropical Thai Fruit Salad – >
13. Thai-Style Crème Caramel
Preparation Time: 43 min
The famous French dessert, Crème Caramel, has a special Thai version.
It uses healthy coconut milk instead of cream, making it a gluten-free, lactose-free dessert.
DIY recipe for Thai-Style Crème Caramel – >
14. Grilled Pineapple Pops
Preparation Time: 35 min
Grilled Pineapple Pops can be seen as a dessert in most tropical islands.
Thailand too has its own recipe. You’ll find this Thai dessert sold in roadside shops and served at potlucks.
DIY recipe for Grilled Pineapple Pops – >
15. Thai Black Sticky Rice Pudding
Preparation Time: 2 hrs 5 min
If you want to try something truly authentic, go for the Thai Black Sticky Rice Pudding.
When served with a generous dollop of coconut cream, it creates an attractive contrast.
DIY recipe for Thai Black Sticky Rice Pudding – >
16. Custard-Filled Bread
Preparation Time: NA
Thai Custard Bread, better known as Kanom Pang Sang Ka Ya, is truly delightful.
It’s a lovely golden bun stuffed with a luscious pandan custard.
DIY recipe for Custard-Filled Bread – >
17. Starfruit In Mango Orange Sauce
Preparation Time: 18 min
The starfruit is a sweet and sour fruit named after its star-shaped form.
In this dessert, starfruit slices are lightly cooked and served with a tropical Mango Orange Sauce, drizzled with coconut milk.
18. Coconut Cake With Fluffy Coconut Icing
Preparation Time: 1 hr
Thai restaurants make full use of the fresh coconut milk available when making a Coconut Cake With Fluffy Coconut Icing.
It is a moist and light with a tempting coconut aftertaste.
DIY recipe for Coconut Cake With Fluffy Coconut Icing – >
19. Sticky Rice Cake
Preparation Time: 30 min
Sticky Rice Cakes are small bars of flavored glutinous rice.
These have a thick texture, sometimes vibrant colors, and are a healthier alternative to a regular cake.
DIY recipe for Sticky Rice Cake – >
20. Sesame Pancakes
Preparation Time: 35 min
Thai Sesame Pancakes use a rich, black sesame paste for an airy but flavored texture.
Serve with whipped cream or blueberries for restaurant quality.
21. Round Egg Yolk Drop
Preparation Time: 40 min
Thailand is famous for its egg-based desserts. The Round Egg Yolk Drop is one such sweet that requires technique.
The yolk binds with the tapioca starch to produce dazzling, golden drops.
DIY recipe for Round Egg Yolk Drop – >
22. Khanom Tom
Preparation Time: 45 min
Khanom Tong are Thai coconut balls, coated with shredded coconut with a gooey, dark inside.
This is a low-calorie dessert that uses palm sugar or brown sugar for sweetness.
DIY recipe for Khanom Tom – >
23. Foi Thong
Preparation Time: 1 hr 50 min
As mentioned earlier, Foi Thong is a Thai egg-based dessert that requires a special deep-frying technique.
These golden threads are so attractive, you won’t be able to resist yourself.
DIY recipe for Foi Thong – >
24. Khanom Med Khanoon
Preparation Time: 1 hr 45 min
This is a jackfruit seed dessert you’ll find only in areas near Thailand.
It is an auspicious dessert that was introduced to Thai cuisine along with items like Foi Thong and Thong Yip.
DIY recipe for Khanom Med Khanoon – >
25. Khanom Sod Sai
Preparation Time: 55 min
Khanom Sod Sai is one of those surprise desserts that appeal to the child in you.
It comes wrapped in a banana leaf and is filled with delicate coconut cream.
DIY recipe for Khanom Sod Sai – >
26. Mung Bean Cake
Preparation Time: 25 min
More traditionally a Chinese dessert, the Mung Bean Cake is also very popular in Thailand.
It is an intricate, bite-sized dessert made from mung bean dough and palm sugar.
DIY recipe for Mung Bean Cake – >
27. Steamed Coconut Pandan Cake
Preparation Time: 11 hrs
Though this dessert takes up a lot of time, the end result is worth all your efforts.
Even the appearance is very attractive with the green pandan layer contrasting the white of coconut.
DIY recipe link for Steamed Coconut Pandan Cake
28. Bua Loy
Preparation Time: 1 hr
Bua Loy is a Thai pudding made with glutinous rice balls in coconut milk.
The balls are usually bright orange that peep out of the milky white coconut.
DIY recipe for Bua Loy – >
29. Black Sesame Pudding
Preparation Time: 15 min
This pretty dessert often served in a fancy glass, has an exquisite sesame flavor.
It has a pudding/yogurt/sorbet like texture with a black-purplish color.
DIY recipe for Black Sesame Pudding – >
The History of Thai Desserts
Thailand was previously known as Siam and has a history of evolving cuisine. Due to the nation’s trade relations with many nations, the kind of food Thai people consumed was influenced by many cultures.
Original Thai desserts used local ingredients like coconut, palm sugar, flour, and sugar. But a Portuguese influence introduced several egg-based desserts to their cuisine.
A lady named Maria Guyomar is believed to have played a significant role in this transition. She was of Japanese-Portuguese-Bengali origin and in charge of the palace kitchen during King Narai’s reign. She invented many of the desserts considered auspicious in Thai culture.
FAQs
Sticky rice is a very common dessert in Thailand. You can find it as it is, in the form of a cake, and steamed inside a banana leaf or bamboo shoot. A very popular version, mango sticky rice, is the national dessert of Thailand.
Not only do Thai people love desserts, they also put great care into serving them. Sweets are a big one when it comes to street food. Thai desserts typically use local ingredients like tropical fruits, coconut cream, and pandan.
All kinds of Thai desserts create an emotional end to a meal of Pad Thai. You can pick any of the desserts mentioned here, especially the egg-based ones for a wonderful last course.
Khanom is the Thai word for dessert.
The Thai national dessert, Mango Sticky Rice is probably the most eaten dessert in this East Asian country.
Bottom Line
I hope this article gave you plenty of options for Thai desserts to try out.
While making these, if you come across any doubts, comments, or feedback, do reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you.
Don’t forget to share this information with all your friends and family!