Imagine this: you take a bite and crack!—a shatter of sweet, glassy candy gives way to a juicy burst of fruit. That, my friend, is the magic of Tanghulu. This iconic Chinese candied fruit treat isn’t just a snack; it’s a crunchy, fruity firework show for your mouth.
Tanghulu has blown up on social media, thanks to its satisfying crackle and glittery sheen. Whether you saw it on a late-night TikTok scroll or at a street food stall in Asia, Tanghulu is making waves. And the best part? You can totally make this viral snack right in your kitchen. No fancy tools. No weird ingredients. Just fruit, sugar, and a little confidence.
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What is Tanghulu?
Tanghulu (pronounced tahng-hoo-loo) is a traditional Chinese dessert that goes way back to the Song Dynasty. It started with hawthorn berries—a tart, apple-like fruit commonly used in Chinese medicine. Vendors would skewer these berries and dip them into boiling sugar syrup until they were coated in a clear, hard candy shell. The result? Sweet, sour, and crunchy perfection.
While hawthorn berries are still the OG Tanghulu fruit, nowadays you’ll see all kinds of modern takes: strawberry Tanghulu, grape Tanghulu, mandarin slices, blueberries, and even cherry tomatoes. Basically, if it’s small and juicy, it can be Tanghulu.
This snack is a favorite at festivals and night markets, where it’s known as an Asian street snack that doubles as an edible work of art. Colorful, shiny, and totally satisfying.
Related: Fun Asian-Inspired Snacks
Tanghulu Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to get your own crunchy candy sticks going:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Fruit of choice: strawberries, grapes, blueberries, etc.
- Wooden skewers (or sturdy toothpicks)
- Candy thermometer (helpful but not essential)
That’s it. Seriously.
Psst: Use leftover strawberries in this dessert
Step-by-Step Tanghulu Tutorial
Step 1: Prepare the Fruit
Give your fruit a gentle wash and dry it completely. I mean bone dry. Any moisture will mess up the sugar coating and make it slide right off.
Skewer 2-3 strawberries or 4-5 grapes per stick. Try to keep the fruit uniform in size for even candy coating.
Step 2: Make Sugar Candy Coating
In a small pot, combine 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water. Turn the heat to medium-high and bring it to a boil. No stirring! Stirring will encourage sugar crystallization, and that is not our friend today.
Let it bubble until it reaches 300°F (the hard crack stage). If you don’t have a thermometer, don’t worry. We’ve got the next step.
Step 3: Test the Candy Coating
Dip a spoon into the syrup and drop a bit into a bowl of ice water. If it hardens instantly and cracks when you bite it—congrats, you’re at the perfect candy stage.
If it’s still chewy, let it boil for another minute or two and test again.
Step 4: Coat the Skewers
Now the fun (and fast) part. Dip your fruit skewers into the hot syrup. Twist to coat completely, then lift and let the excess drip off.
Place them on a parchment-lined tray to cool. Don’t use wax paper—the sugar will stick.
Step 5: Enjoy!
Wait just a minute or two until the coating hardens. Then, go ahead. Take a bite.
It should shatter with a satisfying crack, then melt into the juicy sweetness of fresh fruit.
Also good with: Perfect cold drink to pair with Tanghulu
How to Clean the Pot (Without Crying)
Don’t panic when your pot looks like a crystal cave of sugar. Just fill it with water and bring it to a boil.
The hardened sugar will dissolve like magic. No scrubbing needed. Bonus points for soaking overnight if you’re feeling lazy (no judgment).
Tanghulu Tips and Tricks
- Dry your fruit: Can’t say it enough. Wet fruit = failed Tanghulu.
- Don’t stir: Just swirl the pot gently if needed.
- 300°F is your friend: That’s the temp for a proper crunch.
- Work fast: Once the syrup is ready, you’ve got maybe 10 minutes before it starts to thicken.
- Test before you dip: Use that ice water trick for a guaranteed snap.
- Get creative: Sprinkle chili flakes, sesame seeds, or even edible glitter on top while the coating is still hot.
More like this: Looking for more skewered delights?
Creative Variations to Try
- Grape Tanghulu: Crunchy outside, bursty inside.
- Mandarin slices: Sweet and tart. A citrusy surprise.
- Blueberries: Mini and mighty. Great for bite-sized batches.
- Kiwi or pineapple: A tropical twist.
- Add edible flowers or even colored sugar crystals for a fancy flair.
Perfect for birthday parties or TikTok-worthy snack boards.
More Asian-Inspired Sweet Treats
Want to continue your sweet adventure? Try these next:
- Mango Sticky Rice
- Ube Pancakes
- Sticky Rice Pudding
Or, Try this fruity treat after your Tanghulu adventure
Print
Tanghulu Recipe (Candied Fruit)
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 skewers 1x
Description
Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese treat where fresh fruit is skewered and coated with a shiny, crunchy candy shell. Sweet, juicy, and satisfyingly crackly, it’s a viral snack that’s fun and easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Fruit of choice: strawberries, grapes, blueberries, etc.
- Wooden skewers or sturdy toothpicks
- Candy thermometer (optional)
Instructions
- Wash fruit thoroughly and dry completely.
- Skewer fruit (2-3 strawberries or 4-5 grapes per stick).
- In a small pot, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat without stirring.
- Heat until syrup reaches 300°F (hard crack stage). Test by dropping a small amount into ice water; it should harden instantly.
- Dip fruit skewers into hot syrup, twist to coat fully, and let excess drip off.
- Place on parchment-lined tray to cool and harden.
- Enjoy immediately once coating is crisp.
Notes
Ensure fruit is fully dry to prevent sugar coating from sliding off. Don’t stir the syrup; swirl gently if needed. Work quickly once syrup reaches temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Final Thoughts
We wanna hear from you! Did your Tanghulu crack just right? Try something wild like pineapple or peaches? Drop your favorite combinations and tips below.
And hey, if your first batch flopped, don’t sweat it. We’ve all been there. Try again. You got this.
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