The modern-day flan came into existence with an amalgamation of savory custard dishes of the Romans and caramel introduced by the Spanish. Soon various regional variations were invented as Flan gained popularity; these included recipes like Flan De Queso, which features cream cheese, Flan Puerto Rican, which involves a spongy bottom layer, and many other recipes with a variety of flavors comprising spices, coconut milk, liqueurs, and citrus flavor. Today we have come up with the best Flan recipes that you can conveniently make in your kitchen by using the best flan pans.
Primarily, the ingredients of this creamy custard dessert are eggs, sugar, milk, vanilla, and caramel sauce. Unlike Crème Brulee, the caramel layer on top and bottom of Flan is loose, containing softly cooked sweet-tasting custard inside. However, slight alterations in the amounts of ingredients used can give different results. Let’s explore the best flan recipes according to the experts without any further ado.
Related: Best birthday cupcake recipes you’ll love.
Pumpkin Flan
Flan de Calabaza, also famously known as the Pumpkin Flan, is a popular Latin dessert for the fall season. If you are Cuban, you know the start of fall is basically the start of flan season. This year, you can have the exquisite Pumpkin Flan on your table at every party or get together by following our simple yet delicious recipe.
Spanish Flan
Flan is originally a Spanish dessert and its recipe is universally loved by all. You can either add flavours to this recipe or make it the traditional Spanish way. In this section, we will discuss the original Spanish way of making this luscious dessert.
Ingredients:
Since this is a pretty basic flan recipe, all you will need are 3 eggs, a cup of white sugar, condensed milk, evaporated milk, and a tablespoon of vanilla extract. It will take an hour and a half to make this recipe.
Caramel Flan
If you prefer desserts that are rich in caramel and cream, you will love this flan recipe. The Caramel Flan recipe works for all sorts of occasions. Just make sure that you don’t burn the caramel syrup or overcook it.
Ingredients:
The special ingredient needed in this recipe is 1 pack of soft cream cheese. Other than that, you need 5 eggs, cans of condensed and evaporated milk and vanilla extract. This recipe will take a total of an hour and a half.
Related: Best Father’s Day Cake Recipes
Puerto Rican Flan
As we mentioned earlier, originally when Flan started gaining popularity different regions of the world added slightly different touches to the recipe of flan and gave it a new name. Similar is the case with this recipe. Mostly in Puerto Rico, this creamy dessert is simply known as egg custard.
Ingredients:
The recipe for Puerto Rican Flan is as simple as it gets. All you will need are eggs, salt, vanilla extract, milk, and granulated sugar. That’s it. It will take around an hour maximum to make Puerto Rican Flan
Cuban Flan
Another regional variety includes the Cuban flan recipe that has been in numerous families for generations. The recipe has been preserved by Cubans and passed down from family to family for years. If you have been on a quest to connect to your roots by finding a Cuban Flan recipe that is authentic, you have come to the right place.
Related: Best cinnamon rolls recipe ideas.
Chocoflan
The top-rated modern-day flan recipe would be Chocoflan. It is the true fusion of the best flan recipes around the globe. This creamy, chocolaty, sweet caramel dessert never fails to captivate its audience.
Ingredients:
You will need butter, cocoa powder, buttermilk, quarter cup caramel sauce, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¾ teaspoon baking soda, vanilla extract, and milk. It will take a total of 2 and half hours.
Mexican Flan
Another flan recipe that has been handed down from generation to generation is the Mexican Flan. The original Mexican Flan is a purely vanilla dessert but you can add flavours to it as well. For instance, we added a touch of orange to this creamy caramel treat.
Ingredients:
The special candidates are freshly squeezed orange juice and a tablespoon of grated orange peel. You will also need a tablespoon of cornstarch and 1 cup of heavy cream along with the standard flan ingredients which include egg yolks, vanilla extract, white sugar, whole milk, and condensed milk.
Leche Flan
Resembling a lot of the crème caramel dessert and the most-demanded caramel custard, the Leche Flan is loved by people around the globe, especially in the Philippines as it is a standard item on most restaurant menus. We will shortly share with you how to bake this restaurant-style treat conveniently at your home.
Ingredients:
The defining difference between Leche Flan and crème caramel is the Leche Flan Recipe does not involve heavy use of the cream. However, it still tastes heavy than crème caramel or caramel custards because of the use of condensed sweet milk, egg yolks and evaporated milk.
Puto Leche Flan
One of the famous Filipino desserts that is simple to bake and convenient to consume includes the Pluto Flan which is a pale fluffy flan dish. It contains the combination of the taste of velvet creamy caramel taste of Leche Flan and the fluffy porous appearance of a Puto Flan. If you have a sweet tooth, you will love to eat this healthy treat every day.
Ingredients:
You will need two tablespoons of lemon juice, two cups of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, yellow food colouring, baking powder, a can of condensed milk and 4 eggs.
Vegan Flan
Next up, we present to you a flan recipe that only requires 15 minutes of preparation time. Our Vegan Flan Recipe is a no-bake dessert that is known to be creamy, sweet yet 100 per cent vegan. This recipe is dairy-free, egg-free, and soy-free. Not just that but it is super easy to make.
Ingredients:
Unlike all of the recipes mentioned on the list. This unique recipe does not involve eggs, milk or even cream. Instead, we have used the vegan substitutes to come up with an ideal vegan flan recipe. You will need Coconut Milk, Cornstarch, Sugar, Maple Syrup, Agar powder and Vanilla extract.
Sugar-free Flan
This low carb sugar-free flan is a dream for any diabetic patient that hears the mention of this mouth-watering creamy dessert. In fact, it is an excellent finish to any meal for anyone as it is health-friendly.
Ingredients:
Take a ¼ cup water, half cup Allulose or if it is unavailable you can substitute it with Monkfruit, 2 cups of whipping cream, vanilla extract, salt, and egg yolks.
Ube Flan
This most exquisite looking flan is the mixture of three delicious layers of caramel, flan, and Ube Cake. It is basically a delicious combination of two creamy desserts; the soft cake is topped with a small layer of custard flan.
Ingredients:
You will need the regular ingredients for making caramel and the flan. As for the chiffon layer, make sure you have the cream of tartar and Ube flavouring.
Cassava Flan
This is another recipe for those of you who are avoiding desserts that are too sweet. Besides being easy to make, Cassava Flan Cake is also among the top delicious flans. It will take less than an hour for you to present it on the table.
Ingredients:
If you are unable to find ready-made cassava, it is not an issue. You can use fresh cassava and then grate it carefully and extract away the excess juice. You will also need 1 can of coconut milk and condensed milk along with butter and sugar.
Funfetti Flan Cake
Ideal treat for birthdays and celebrations, Funfetti Flan is a colourful-looking creamy dessert that is not only appealing to the eyes but also delicious to taste.
You will need half a cup vegetable oil, 3 eggs and a Funfetti cake box to make the cake layer. As for the flan layer, you need eggs, vanilla extract, whole milk and condensed milk.
Creamy Caramel Flan
Creamy Caramel Flan is a super easy and tasty custard dessert recipe, famous in most parts of the world, like South America, Europe, and many more. Caramel Flan is very creamy that has a custard consistency. Its top is covered with sauce.
Whenever you shake it, it moves like a wiggly Panna Cota. It serves at family gatherings, birthdays and as wedding cakes. Caramel Flan is a versatile dish with many flavors hidden in it. Flan is not difficult to make; practice and patience are the only requirements.
Cheese and Onion Flan
Who says flans only need to be sweet? If you are someone like me, who is more into savory items, This Cheesy flan can be your next breakfast. But don’t mix it up with the classic quiche, as this flan is made differently. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes or fresh salad.
Carrot Flan
Just on a random Sunday afternoon, i thought to find a use of the leftover carrots, and ended up making a carrot flavored flan. Now every Sunday, my family asks to make me one, and it’s actually fun to experiment with new flavors. And yes! It ended up having a smooth and soft texture.
Zucchini Salty Flan
Once i was invited to a potluck party and i took this salted Zucchini flan. It vanished so quickly that even i could not taste a slice of it. And you can serve this to your kids as well, because it has a balanced flavor, which is not too spicy. Serve it as a side with beef steaks or baked chicken.
Coffee Flan
For all those caffeine lovers out there, the Coffee Flan is a dessert that perfectly intertwines the delightful creaminess of traditional flan with the robust, aromatic punch of a good cup of joe.
This culinary marvel is achieved by incorporating brewed coffee or espresso into the custard base.
The result?
An elevated flan experience that pairs the comforting sweetness of caramel with the full-bodied bitterness of coffee, creating an irresistible treat that can aptly conclude a fine meal or even provide an energy boost for those mid-afternoon slumps.
For an extra flair, consider using single-origin coffee to inject more complexity into this dessert.
Matcha Flan
The Matcha Flan is a verdant twist on the classic custard delight, specially curated for lovers of green tea and those in search of a more unique dessert.
The incorporation of matcha powder adds a subtle yet unmistakable earthiness to the creamy, caramel-laden flan.
This intriguing variant is not just a feast for the taste buds, but also for the eyes, with its exotic green hue making it an attractive centerpiece on any dessert table.
To enrich its flavor profile, pairing it with red bean paste or adorning with a dusting of additional matcha powder might be a good idea.
Almond Flan
This recipe incorporates almond extract into the silky custard base, infusing every bite with the delightful aroma and taste of almonds.
For added texture, a topping of toasted, chopped almonds beautifully complements the custard’s velvety smoothness.
The Almond Flan serves as an intriguing alternative to traditional flan and promises a memorable dessert that shines with its subtle nuances and textural contrast.
Dulce de Leche Flan
The Dulce de Leche Flan is an ode to the immensely popular Latin American sweet treat, and a dream come true for caramel enthusiasts.
This version takes the inherent caramel notes of flan to a whole new level by incorporating dulce de leche into the custard base.
This results in an indulgently rich, creamy dessert that virtually oozes caramel in each bite, making it a clear winner for those with a serious sweet tooth. To balance the sweetness and add an element of surprise, a sprinkling of sea salt on top could work wonders.
Lemon Flan
The Lemon Flan stands out with its refreshing and zesty charm, making it an ideal dessert for warm summer days.
The incorporation of fresh lemon juice and zest in the custard imparts a delightful citrusy tang, which cuts through the rich creaminess and caramel sweetness of the traditional flan.
This variant is a real palate cleanser, offering a lovely balance of sweet and tart flavors.
For an extra lemony punch and a hint of color, garnishing with thin lemon slices or zest would add a beautiful touch.
Coconut Flan
Coconut flan is the perfect recipe to celebrate the events in the summer days.
All you need to do is blend the 5 ingredients and enjoy the flavorful recipe with your family.
The best thing is it seems difficult but easier to make.
Smooth, custardy, and delicious tropical coconut flavor flan makes all the guests happier. Easy to make!
With the flavors of the Caribbean, you will enjoy its existence on your dining table. Super satisfying and sweet!
Mango Flan
If you love making different kinds of flans, then mango flan is the next one to try.
Mothers with little kids must try this version of the flan; your kids will love its sweet flavors.
You only need fresh mangoes, sugar, water, eggs, heavy cream, vanilla extract, ripe mangoes, and milk.
This easy-to-make mango flan is the perfect addition to the breakfast menu.
Delicious, tender, and sweet.
If you want canned or fresh mangoes, use them and turn them into the delicious flan recipe. Refreshing and bright-flavored recipe!
Pistachio Flan
If you are a pistachio lover, then try the pistachio flan now.
The refreshing flavors of the pistachios combine with the traditional flan and create the pistachio flan.
Super satisfying, flavorful, and bright.
A perfect treat for the taste buds to enjoy the world’s best flavors of pistachios. The green color attracts everyone, especially kids.
You only need liquid sweetener, large organic oranges, and shelled pistachios. That’s it.
Sweet, delightful, and refreshing. Try it once; you will add this flan recipe permanently to your breakfast menu. I bet on it.
Lavender Flan
Do you not have enough time to cook something tastier before going to the office in the early morning? Lavender flan is here for you.
One of the easiest recipes is lavender flan, which only requires a few ingredients, including vanilla extract, whole milk, eggs, sugar, salt, dried lavender, and water.
It might be looking hard, but super easy to make.
Delightful!
The honey syrup coating over the flan melts in the mouth and feels heavenly. Put the flan into the refrigerator and enjoy its smooth flavors for the ideal results.
Raspberry Swirl Flan (German Flan)
The gorgeous appearance of the raspberry swirl flan with white chocolate flavors is one of the tastiest flans.
Tarty flavors are enough to impress the guests. Super piquant!
These delightful swirls are made of fluffy vanilla dough, tarty raspberry filling, and sweet and smooth vanilla topping.
Combination of the sweetest and most delightful flavors.
Satisfying bites melt in the mouth and fill the mouth with creaminess.
Fruity, hearty and fresh! Berry flavors make the recipe stand out at each event.
Tips For Making The Best Flan:
An ideal flan checks all the boxes that make a dessert appetizing and visually appealing. It should be smooth but not too smooth that it would lose its shape; the texture should be creamy but not saccharine. The emphasis should be on the sharp tone of caramel. Additionally, there are three tips that bakers should keep in mind to make sublime flan.
Buy an appropriate Pan
If you are a beginner, start with using small ramekins because it will be much more convenient for you to delicately invert the flan onto your serving dish without damaging the shape. You can also cook evenly thanks to these small dishes. We would only recommend experienced individuals to use large baking pans like a pie pan or a cake pan. This is because although the flan would look much more impressive in appearance, it will require special care and time. It can be difficult to invert a heavy pan without accidentally splitting the custard under the pan’s weight.
Keep flan as smooth as possible
Another tip that can prove very useful is passing the initial mixture of the custard through a sieve plate before you start the baking process. This will remove any bubbles that may present in the flan and your finished flan will appear more finesse and smooth.
Heat evenly
In order to allow equal heat distribution throughout the flan, we recommend using a water bath. Just like how you would cook a cheesecake by placing the pan in boiling water. You can also make a water bath at home simply by setting up the ramekins in a deep baking dish and then filling it up only halfway with hot boiling water. Then place the entire dish in the oven and this will ensure that all parts of the flan are evenly cooked adding to the brilliance of your sweet custard dessert that you can prepare for celebrations or as a weekend treat.
Avoid Eggy flavour
If any recipe is telling you to use more than six eggs for your flan, avoid it. The maximum number of eggs to give appropriate flavour to your flan recipe is 5.
Avoid Grainy texture
Instead of using a whisk which introduces air into your flan causing the formation of grains, use a paddle. Make sure you are not over stirring the mixture but allocate intervals. Avoid high temperatures as well as it can cause your custard to curdle. This is why we always recommend medium heat and the use of a water bath
How we tested the recipes?
Researching is always our first step. We compiled a list of top-ranked flan recipes after having a meeting with a culinary specialist and further narrowed down the list. The selected recipes were sent to our cooks. All of the recipes were then analyzed on the basis of the ingredients they required, cost and availability of the ingredients required and the total time required to make the recipe. The recipes that were most convenient to make with readily available ingredients were then selected.
Why Trust TheLadyChef?
It is our utmost priority to ensure the information that reaches you has been carefully assessed by kitchen experts and is as relevant as possible. From thoroughly researching the recipes to testing them in our kitchen, our experienced team of analysts ensure the filtering of the top-rated recipes on the internet. After the entire process, we finalized a list of the best flan recipes that was then proofread to ascertain utmost accuracy.
28 Best Flan Recipes You Can’t Resist
Ingredients
- Pumpkin Flan
- Coconut Flan
- Spanish Flan
- Caramel Flan
- Puerto Rican Flan
- Cuban Flan
- Chocoflan
- Mexicano Flan
- Leche Flan
- Creamy Caramel Flan
- Zucchini Salty Flan
- Carrot Flan
- Flan de Maracuja (Passion Fruit Flan)
- Cheese and Onion Flan
- Mango Flan
- Pistachio Flan
- Lavender Flan
- Raspberry Swirl Flan German Flan
How to Make?
- Try these flan recipes as instructed
- Follow the instructions
- Enjoy the best meal you'll love
