Today, I'm sharing how to make the easy mango panna cotta with the simple 8 steps.
It's composed of 3 layers: Vanilla panna cotta, mango panna cotta, and mango topping. - The smooth panna cotta and the melty topping taste amazing together.

🧡 I love this mango panna cotta because:
- The panna cotta is so smooth and not overly firm.
- The melty mango topping tastes fantastic with the smooth panna cotta.
- It's not overly sweet.
- It's so easy to make.
- You only need seven ingredients to make it.
Panna cotta is one of my favorite no-bake desserts. And I especially love the mango one! I remember I first had it at a convenience store in Japan and got so in love with it that I went back there weekly just for that.
In this post, you'll learn essential baking tips such as:
- How to make both the basic vanilla panna cotta and mango panna cotta at the same time
- How to prepare gelatin properly.
- Tips to make smooth panna cotta
- How to make mango puree
... and so on.
Let's get started! 💪🏻
Jump to:
📌 What's In Mango Panna Cotta?
7 ingredients:
- Gelatin
- Use gelatin powder or sheets, whichever you like. (Check the instructions in the steps to see how to use them.)
- Bloom: "Bloom" refers to the strength of gelatin). Today, I used gelatin sheets with 230 "blooms." The lower the amount is, the softer the panna cotta gets, so adjust the amount accordingly. (If it's not listed on the box, I suggest making it with the same amount and seeing if you like the firmness.)
- Whole Milk
- Use regular whole-fat milk.
- Lemon
- Lemon peel: It adds a slight fruity note.
- Lemon juice: It adds refreshing tartness.
- Vanilla beans
- It matches so well with the mango flavor.
- Add vanilla extract as an alternative.
- Granulated sugar
- We aren't adding it too much to keep it taste refreshing.
- Heavy cream
- Use whole-fat heavy cream.
- Fresh mango
- We use it for mango panna cotta and mango topping.
📌 How To Make Mango Panna Cotta
The 8 Steps:
Vanilla Panna Cotta Base:
- Hydrate gelatin beforehand:
- Gelatin sheets: Soak the gelatin sheet in ice water for about 10 minutes.
- Gelatin powder: Follow the package instructions to see if you need to mix it with cold water beforehand. Often, you'll need to mix gelatin powder in 4-5 times more amounts of icy water and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
- Heat milk, lemon peel, and vanilla beans in a pot at medium heat until you see a lot of steam rising. Remove from the heat. *Do not boil it.
- Add sugar and the hydrated gelatin. Mix well.
- Ensure that the gelatin is dissolved completely. * It doesn't dissolve well when the liquid cools down before adding it. Add it right after the sugar is mixed in.
- Strain it and add heavy cream. Mix.
- Set aside 120 g | 4.2 oz (½ US cup) of the base for mango panna cotta and pour the rest into glasses.
- Chill them in the fridge for about 6 hours in total.
- It will be firm enough to pour the mango panna cotta on top in about 1 - 2 hours. (Check the consistency before you pour it!)
Mango Puree:
- Cut fresh mango for puree. Puree the mango, sugar, and lemon juice with a hand blender until it looks smooth. (Or use a small juicer or food processor.)
Mango Panna Cotta:
- Combine 120 g | 4.2 oz (½ US cup) of the mango puree and the same amount of panna cotta base we set aside earlier.
- Heat the vanilla panna cotta base in the microwave or a water bath if it thickens too much before using it.
- Pour it into glasses. Chill them back into the fridge.
Fresh Mango Topping:
- Cut mango for the topping into cubes. Mix it with the rest of the mango puree to make the mango topping.
- Place it on top of the set mango panna cotta.
Garnishing:
As an option, garnish it with fresh mint and enjoy it with a drizzle of honey!
📝 More Tips With Images
Now, let me share detailed tips on each step, which are all crucial for making mango panna cotta successful.
Step 1: Hydrate gelatin beforehand for 10 minutes.
Gelatin sheet:
Soak gelatin sheets in ice water and let them hydrate for 10 minutes.
Gelatin powder:
Follow the package instructions and let it hydrate with cold water. (It usually requires you to mix with 4 - 5 times more of the gelatin amount.) Wait for about 10 minutes.
💬 Use icy water so that gelatin hydrates well.
Set it aside. Meanwhile, let's work on step 2!
Step 2: Heat milk, lemon peel, and vanilla beans in a pot.
The subtle lemon flavor matches well with the mango flavor. 🍋
Heat it at medium heat.
👩🏻🍳 Once you see a lot of steam coming up, remove it from the heat.
Step 3: Add sugar and gelatin. Mix well each time.
First, add sugar and mix.
Squeeze the hydrated gelatin to remove the excess water and add it to the pot.
💡 Check if the gelatin is completely melted so that the panna cotta sets properly.
Step 4: Strain it and add cold heavy cream.
Mix until it's evenly incorporated.
💬 The base cools down by adding cold cream, shortening the chilling time in the fridge.
❄️ You can also let it cool even more using icy water. It also shortens the chilling time!
Step 5: Set aside 120 g | 4.2 oz (½ US cup) for mango panna cotta and pour the rest into glasses.
I'm using 4 10-ounce glasses today. You can use any size you like!
👩🏻🍳 Feel free to change how much you want to save for mango panna cotta and arrange the recipe!
💬 In total, chill panna cotta in the fridge for six to eight hours until it's set completely.
Step 6: Cut fresh mango for puree. Blend the mango, sugar, and lemon juice to make the puree.
We are using the pureed mango for the mango panna cotta and the topping.
Use ripe mango for the best taste.
👩🏻🍳 To make smooth mango panna cotta, it is very important to puree it very finely until it looks nice and smooth.
Step 7: Combine 120 g | 4.2 oz (½ US cup) of the mango puree and the same amount of the panna cotta base which set aside earlier.
💬 Heat the panna cotta base in a microwave a little bit to loosen it if it looks hardened before using it.
💬 The vanilla panna cotta will be firm enough to pour on top in about one to two hours.
Move it back to the fridge.
Step 8: Cut mango for the topping. Mix it with the rest of the mango puree to make the mango topping.
Cut into cubes:
And mix it with the rest of puree:
Pour on top of the mango panna cotta:
💬 The puree adds a glossy look and melty texture.
💬 As an option, garnish them with fresh mint.
And it is DONE! 🙌🏻
Here is what the panna cotta looks like without the mango topping:
It is very smooth, creamy, and not overly sweet. It tastes so refreshing with the melty mango topping.
📌 Uses For Mango Panna Cotta
Enjoy this dessert on many occasions, such as:
- Home parties: It'll also look very festive in small glass shots.
- As a refreshing snack: Enjoy this perfect refreshing snack before/after dinner with your family and friends.
💬 It's also delicious with a drizzle of honey on top.
💡 You can try this recipe with other fruits!
📌 Frequently Asked Questions
Wrap the top of the glasses tightly and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
I recommend consuming it within that day for the best taste.
I also recommend storing the topping separately and pouring it before serving if you are not consuming it within 24 hours.
Yes! Change the amount as you like and follow the exact steps and tips as directed.
Yes! The vanilla panna cotta itself tastes amazing. Add a different topping as you like.
📌 VIDEO: Mango Panna Cotta
Watch this video to learn how to make mango panna cotta visually and to have a deeper understanding of all.
Don't forget to subscribe if you liked it 😉
📌 Printable Recipe
💬 If you loved this recipe, please share your feedback on this post! I always love hearing how you enjoyed it with your friends and family.
Mango Panna Cotta
Equipment
- Pot
- Knife
- Bowl
- Seive
- Spatula
Ingredients
Vanilla Panna Cotta
- 0.28 oz Gelatin sheet or powder Gelatin powder: About 2.5 teaspoon * Level the surface.
- 11.3 oz Whole Milk 1 ⅓ US cups
- 1 Lemon Lemon peel Peel it with a peeler.
- ⅔ pod Vanilla beans Or vanilla extract: ½ tsp
- 3 oz Granulated sugar ⅖ US cup
- 17 oz Heavy cream 2 US cups
Mango Puree (for mango panna cotta and the mango topping)
- 7 oz Fresh mango From about 1 large mango
- 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
Mango Panna Cotta
- 4.2 oz Vanilla panna cotta base About ½ US cup. (Save the amount before pouring vanilla panna cotta in glasses.)
- 4.2 oz Mango puree (Recipe above) About ½ US cup. (Save the rest for mango topping)
Mango Topping
- 8.5 oz Fresh mango (Cut into cubes.) From about 1 large mango
- The rest of Mango puree after using it for Mango panna cotta (Recipe above)
Garnishing
- Some Fresh mint (Optional)
- Some Honey (Optional)
Instructions
Vanilla Panna Cotta Base
- Gelatin sheet: Soak gelatin sheets in ice water and let them hydrate for 10 minutes.Gelatin powder: Follow the package instruction and mix it with cold water. (Usually, it is 4 - 5 times more of the gelatin amount.) Set it aside for 10 minutes to hydrate it.
- Heat milk, lemon peel, and vanilla beans in a pot at medium heat until you see a lot of steam rising. * Do not boil it.11.3 oz Whole Milk, 1 Lemon Lemon peel, ⅔ pod Vanilla beans
- Add sugar and gelatin. Mix each time. Ensure that the gelatin is dissolved completely. * It doesn't dissolve well when the liquid cools down before adding it. Add right after the sugar is mixed.3 oz Granulated sugar, 0.28 oz Gelatin sheet or powder
- Strain it and add heavy cream. Mix.17 oz Heavy cream
- Set aside 120 g | 4.2 oz (½ US cup) for mango panna cotta and pour the rest into glasses. (4 10-oz | 295-g glasses)In total, chill it in the fridge for about 6 hours. * The vanilla panna cotta will be firm enough to pour the mango panna cotta on top in 1 - 2 hours. (Check the consistency before pouring it!)
Mango Puree
- Cut fresh mango for puree. Puree the mango, sugar, and lemon juice with a hand blender until it looks smooth. (Or use a small juicer or food processor.)7 oz Fresh mango, 1 tablespoon Granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon Lemon juice
Mango Panna Cotta
- Combine 120 g | 4.2 oz (½ US cup) of the mango puree and the same amount of panna cotta base we set aside earlier.* Heat the vanilla panna cotta base a little bit in the microwave if it thickens too much before using it. Pour it into glasses. Chill them back into the fridge.4.2 oz Vanilla panna cotta base, 4.2 oz Mango puree (Recipe above)
Mango Topping
- Cut mango for the topping. Mix it with the rest of mango puree to make the mango topping. Place it on top of the set mango panna cotta.The rest of Mango puree after using it for Mango panna cotta (Recipe above), 8.5 oz Fresh mango (Cut into cubes.)
Garnishing
- As an option, garnish it with fresh mint and enjoy it with a drizzle of honey.Some Fresh mint, Some Honey
Video
Notes
How to store it:
Wrap the top of the glasses tightly and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend consuming it within that day for the best taste.Store the topping separately and pour it before serving if you are not consuming it within 24 hours. ** For best results, measure ingredients with a scale. All recipes are designed with weighed ingredients using grams/ounces. Cup measurements are provided for your convenience. **
Nutrition
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