Thai Coconut Balls Dessert (Khanom Tom)

By Sho @ Hungry for Thai on Mar 21st 2025

Khanom Tom is an old traditional Thai dessert made of boiled rice flour dumplings stuffed with shredded coconut that’s melted with palm sugar and coconut milk. This beloved dessert has been popular for generations due to its sweet, soft, and delicate texture, perfectly balanced with the mild aroma of coconut.

Khanom Tom is another traditional Thai dessert that has been a part of Thai cuisine for a long time. Its preparation is simpler than one might think, and you can customize the colors to your liking.

The outer layer is made from glutinous rice flour, giving it a soft and chewy texture. It’s coated with grated coconut mixed with a pinch of salt, while the filling is made of coconut stir-fried with palm sugar.

The combination of these flavors creates a delightful, aromatic treat that’s hard to resist!

What You'll Need

• Glutinous Rice Flour: This flour is essential for giving the dough its chewy texture. It’s made from sticky rice and is used in many traditional Asian desserts.
• Coconut Milk: Adds richness and flavor to the dough, giving it a creamy consistency that complements the coconut flavors in the filling and coating.
• Shredded Coconut: Coconut meat adds a natural coconut flavor and texture to the filling, creating a soft, slightly chewy consistency.
• Palm Sugar: A natural sweetener made from the sap of coconut trees, it provides a rich, caramel-like sweetness to the filling.
• Brown Sugar: Adds extra depth of sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, enhancing the richness of the filling.
• Salt: A small amount balances the sweetness, bringing out the flavors in the filling.
• Food Gel Coloring (optional): Add a few drops of food gel coloring to the coconut milk before mixing it with the flour for a colorful twist!

Why'll You Love This Thai Coconut Balls Dessert Recipe 🩷

• Sweet & Savory: The coconut filling with palm sugar offers a perfect balance of sweetness and richness.
• Chewy Texture: The glutinous rice flour dough creates a satisfying chewy texture that pairs perfectly with the filling.
• Naturally Flavored: Made with fresh coconut and coconut milk, this recipe is full of natural coconut flavor.
• Customizable: You can adjust the sweetness and add aromatic touches, like smoking the filling with incense.
• Fun to Make: Rolling the dough around the filling is a fun and rewarding part of the process.
• Perfect for Sharing: These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, gatherings, or just a delicious snack.
• Comforting & Authentic: This traditional Thai dessert brings the flavors of Thailand to your kitchen with ease.

How to Make Thai Coconut Balls Dessert (Khanom Tom)

1. Prepare the filling: Heat a pan over medium heat. Add water, palm sugar, and brown sugar, stirring well. Once it boils, add shredded coconut and stir until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Shape the filling: Once cooled, form the mixture into small balls.
3. Make the dough: Gradually mix glutinous rice flour with coconut milk, kneading until smooth and elastic.
4. Prepare the coconut for coating: Mix desiccated coconut with hot water and a pinch of salt. Stir until the coconut absorbs the water.
5. Wrap the filling: Flatten a piece of dough, place a filling ball in the center, and seal it into a smooth ball.
6. Boil the dumplings: Boil water and drop the dumplings in and cook until they float.
7. Drain: Once the dumplings float, remove them from the water and drain excess water.
8. Coat with coconut: Roll the cooked dumplings in the prepared coconut until fully coated.
9. Serve: Enjoy your delicious Khanom Tom! 😋

Traditional Khanom Tom is often white, but you can make it more festive by using green (pandan flavor) or any colors you like! 🎨🥥

Additionally, it can be enjoyed alongside other Thai sweets such as Kluay Buat Chi (banana in coconut milk), Khanom Man Sampalak (cassava dessert), and Khanom Muntip.