If you’ve ever dreamed of serving a dessert that’s both effortless and elegant, this Mango Panna Cotta recipe is your new go-to. As a food content creator who’s tried dozens of variations, I can confidently say this is the perfect balance between creamy indulgence and tropical brightness.

This Mango Panna Cotta blends the luxurious silkiness of classic Italian panna cotta with the bold, sunny flavor of ripe mangoes—creating a no-bake dessert that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier to make. Whether you’re preparing a dinner party finale or just treating yourself on a warm evening, this dish delivers restaurant-level results in your own kitchen.

The beauty of this Mango Panna Cotta lies in its layers: a velvety vanilla cream base topped with a golden mango purée that bursts with freshness. It’s light yet satisfying, simple yet stunning.

Craving a dessert that wows without the stress? This Mango Panna Cotta is the elegant answer.

Why This Mango Panna Cotta Stands Out

Mango Panna Cotta—an elegant fusion of Italian tradition and tropical flair—is the dessert you didn’t know you needed. While traditional panna cotta (which translates to "cooked cream" in Italian) has been charming dessert lovers for generations with its simplicity—just cream, sugar, and gelatin—this mango-infused version elevates the experience entirely.

What sets this Mango Panna Cotta apart is the way it infuses fresh mango directly into the cream mixture, not just as a topping. The result? A smooth, silky custard with mango flavor in every creamy spoonful, balanced perfectly with the natural richness of the classic Italian base.

This Mango Panna Cotta is as versatile as it is delicious. Serve it in elegant glassware for an upscale dinner party or in humble ramekins for a cozy family dessert. Best of all, it’s make-ahead friendly—simply chill up to two days in advance, so you can impress your guests without being tied to the kitchen.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or new to homemade desserts, this Mango Panna Cotta delivers professional-level results with minimal effort—proof that a few quality ingredients and a touch of tropical inspiration can turn a simple dessert into something truly unforgettable.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Equipment
• Variations
• Storage
• My Grandmother’s Secret Touch
• FAQ
• Final Thoughts – Make Every Spoonful Count
• Related
• Pairing

Ingredients

For the Panna Cotta Base:

• Heavy cream
• Whole milk
• Granulated sugar
• Vanilla bean or pure vanilla extract
• Unflavored gelatin powder
• Cold water
• Salt

For the Mango Layer:

• Ripe mangoes
• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Unflavored gelatin powder
• Cold water

Garnish Options:

• Fresh mango slices
• Mint leaves
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Ground cardamom

See recipe card for quantities.

Ingredient Substitutions:

• For a lighter version, substitute half the heavy cream with half-and-half
• For a dairy-free or vegan panna cotta, use full-fat coconut milk and agar agar powder instead of gelatin
• If fresh mangoes aren't available, use high-quality mango puree
• For a keto panna cotta version, substitute sugar with a monk fruit sweetener or erythritol

Instructions

Prepare the Panna Cotta Base

1. Prepare your serving dishes by lightly greasing them for easier unmolding or arrange glasses on a baking sheet.
2. Bloom the gelatin by sprinkling it over cold water in a small bowl and letting it sit until spongy.
3. Heat the cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla in a saucepan until just simmering, then remove from heat.
4. Add the bloomed gelatin and whisk until completely dissolved.
5. Pour the mixture into your prepared molds and refrigerate until set.

Create the Mango Layer

1. Peel and puree the mangoes, then strain if desired for a smoother texture.
2. Bloom the gelatin for the mango layer and dissolve it in a small amount of warmed mango puree.
3. Mix this back into the remaining puree with sugar and lemon juice, then let cool to room temperature.
4. Pour the mango mixture over the set panna cotta layer.
5. Return to the refrigerator until the mango layer is completely set.

Serve and Garnish

1. If unmolding, briefly dip the molds in hot water and run a thin knife around the edges.
2. Invert onto serving plates or serve directly in the glasses.
3. Garnish with fresh mango slices, mint leaves, toasted coconut flakes, or a dusting of cardamom.
4. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor experience.

Equipment

• Glass Ramekins or Dessert Cups: For the most elegant presentation, especially if you don't plan to unmold the panna cotta.
• Silicone Molds: These make unmolding extremely easy – no hot water bath needed.
• Fine-Mesh Strainer: Essential for the smoothest texture in both the cream base and mango puree.
• Quality Blender: For creating silky-smooth mango puree without fiber.
• Digital Kitchen Scale: For precise measurements, especially important with gelatin.

Don't have specialized molds? Wine glasses, coffee cups, or even mason jars work perfectly – plus they create a charming rustic presentation!

Hints & Expert Cooking Tips

• The perfect panna cotta should wobble like Jell-O but have a creamy, silky texture when you eat it. If it's too firm, you've added too much gelatin.
• Always bloom your gelatin in cold water, never hot, or it won't set properly.
• For the smoothest texture, strain your panna cotta mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring into molds.
• Use perfectly ripe mangoes – they should yield slightly to pressure and smell sweet at the stem.
• To unmold panna cotta, dip the mold briefly in hot water (just for 3-5 seconds) and run a thin knife around the edge before inverting onto a plate.
• Chill your serving plates for 10 minutes before presenting for a restaurant-quality presentation.
• If you're in a hurry, you can speed up the setting process by placing your panna cotta in the freezer for 30 minutes before moving to the refrigerator.

Variations

Vegan Mango Panna Cotta

Replace dairy with full-fat coconut milk and use 2 teaspoons of agar agar powder instead of gelatin. The coconut flavor complements the mango beautifully.

Keto Panna Cotta

Use only heavy cream (no milk), substitute sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener like monk fruit or erythritol, and use less mango (or a lower-carb fruit like berries).

Mango-Coconut Fusion

Add ¼ cup coconut cream to the panna cotta base and top with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical twist.

Cardamom-Infused Version

Add 4-5 crushed cardamom pods to the cream while heating for an exotic Indian-inspired flavor profile.

Layered Mango Panna Cotta

Create beautiful layers by making both plain vanilla panna cotta and mango panna cotta, chilling each layer until partially set before adding the next.

Mango Panna Cotta with Passion Fruit

Top the finished dessert with fresh passion fruit pulp for an extra tropical punch.

Storage

Fridge Storage

• Panna cotta will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Always cover with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing refrigerator odors.
• The longer it sits, the firmer it becomes, so it's best enjoyed within 1-2 days of making.

Make-Ahead Tips

• This is an ideal make-ahead dessert for parties – prepare it up to 2 days in advance.
• If adding fresh mango garnish, do so just before serving to prevent browning.

Freezing Instructions

• Panna cotta doesn't freeze well as the texture becomes grainy when thawed.
• Instead of freezing, focus on making it 1-2 days ahead of when you need it.

FAQ

Final Thoughts – Make Every Spoonful Count

This Mango Panna Cotta recipe is proof that a handful of simple ingredients—when treated with care and creativity—can become a truly unforgettable dessert. With its velvety cream base and the golden glow of ripe mango, this dish delivers a stunning balance of richness and tropical brightness that’s perfect for summer parties, cozy dinners, or a sweet treat just for you.

It’s the kind of dessert that leaves a lasting impression—not because it’s complicated, but because it’s made with intention. And if you loved this Mango Panna Cotta, don’t miss our Chocolate Cupcakes Recipe for a rich, decadent twist, or try the Easy Biscoff Tiramisu Recipe for a layered no-bake favorite that’s equally crowd-pleasing.

✨ Tried this Mango Panna Cotta? Share your results in the comments below—especially if you added your own creative spin! We’d love to hear how it turned out and which variation made your version special.

Desserts like this remind us that elegance doesn’t need to be complicated—it just needs a little heart (and maybe a ripe mango or two).

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Pairing

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