The Secret to the Perfect Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Have the best quality passion fruit juice you can find. Fresh is always best, but frozen is also good.

Use a high quality cream and milk. Organic dairy from grass-fed cows will give you a cleaner flavor.

Use enough passion fruit. Do not be stingy with your passion fruit. If you are serving a passion fruit panna cotta, then it should be packed with passion fruit flavor.

Keep whisking after mixing your milk mixture into your passion fruit juice. The acidity of the passion fruit will make your milk curdle. Just keep whisking continuously and you will end up with a smooth mixture and panna cotta.

Can I use a substitute for gelatin?

Gelatin is made of animal collagen, and thus, is not a plant-based food. Some people may wish to substitute for agar-agar or other plant-based products. You will have to experiment to find the right proportions to achieve the right texture. This recipe was written for gelatin. Best of luck!

How long does panna cotta need to set?

At least 4 hours, but for best results, overnight is best. The more ingredients you add into your panna cotta (e.g., fruit pulp), the more time it needs to set.

For other tropical dessert ideas, check out my strawberry coconut chia seed pudding.

Can I use a non-dairy substitute?

Absolutely! Coconut cream would be a great option instead of cream. And almond milk or oat milk would be a good substitute for cow’s milk. However, using coconut milk may change the overall flavor of this passion fruit panna cotta. Passion fruit goes well with coconut, so you’ll be making a very tropical tasting dessert.

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Passion Fruit Panna Cotta

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword panna cotta, passion fruit panna cotta

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Setting Time 8 hours hours

Servings 8 people

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 envelopes unflavored gelatin
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup passion fruit juice

Instructions

• Mix gelatin and water in a saucepan until gelatin is moist. Heat on low heat until mixture becomes liquid. Set aside.
• Heat heavy cream, milk, and sugar in a large saucepan on medium heat. When you begin to see small bubbles just begin to form, turn off the heat.
• Add liquid gelatin mixture into milk mixture. Whisk thoroughly until well incorporated.
• Then whisk in passion fruit juice into milk mixture. You will see the milk begin to curdle. Continue whisking vigorously until the mixture is smooth again.
• Place mixture evenly into 8 ramekins. Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator to set for 8 hours, or overnight.