Is Coconut a Nut? This Is the “Nut” Most People with Allergies Can Eat.

Carrie Madormo, RNUpdated: Feb. 07, 2020

broken fresh organic coconut on rustic wooden grey background

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Can people with nut allergies really eat coconut? Well, that depends—is coconut a nut?

Whether light and sweet or rich and savory, coconut adds unique flavor and crisp texture to some of our favorite dishes. It’s a versatile fruit that can take you from pecan coconut-crusted fish for dinner to light-as-air coconut macaroons for dessert. There’s just one hitch—it’s now classified as a tree nut.

Is coconut a nut? When the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified coconut as a tree nut in 2006, folks were understandably confused. If coconut is a tree nut, does that mean that it’s no longer safe for people with nut allergies? Why the change in classification? Let’s crack open this one.

These nut-free snacks for kids are allergy-safe without scrimping on taste.

Is Coconut a Nut?

Coconut is still technically considered a fruit, but the FDA grayed those lines. Even the Library of Congress tackled this hot topic and concluded that the coconut can be classified as a nut, a fruit or a seed according to their loose definitions.

Coconut is considered a drupe, or a fruit with a hard covering over the seed. But because nuts are defined as a “one-seeded fruit,” the coconut fits both descriptions. While the ins and outs of coconut classifications may put us non-botanists in a daze, it’s a crucial decision for anyone with a tree nut allergy.

Find out how versatile coconut can be with our top 10 recipes.

Is Coconut Safe for People with Nut Allergies?

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), while it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to coconut, most people who are allergic to tree nuts can safely eat coconut. Because coconuts are not considered a “botanical nut,” the ACAAI considers them to be a fruit. This is also confirmed by the Food Allergy Research & Education Network (FARE). If you or your child has a severe tree nut allergy, it’s still a good idea to talk with your allergist before adding coconut to your diet.

These allergy-free treats are always safe winners.

Once you’re cleared to enjoy coconut, here are a few recipes to get you started.

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Incredible Coconut Cake I found this coconut cake recipe in a newspaper many years ago and modified it to suit my taste. This is my all-time favorite cake, and my family and friends absolutely love it. —Lynne Bassler, Indiana, Pennsylvania Get Recipe

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Mama's Coconut Pie My mama showed me how to make this pie about 40 years ago, just as her mama showed her how to make it. I was 6 when Mawmaw passed away, but I can still remember her cooking in the kitchen in her beautiful cotton dresses dusted with flour. I am honored to teach my daughter how to make this dessert, too. —Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama Get Recipe

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Pina Colada CupcakesThese Pina Colada Cupcakes are fun and colorful for picnics! They can be served as cupcakes or layered into individual dishes to make mini trifles. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan