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Tanghulu Recipe

Easy Tanghulu Recipe

This tanghulu recipe creates the perfect crispy Chinese candied fruit treat that's taken social media by storm. With just three simple ingredients, you can make this traditional street food at home. The glass-like sugar coating creates an incredible texture contrast with fresh fruit inside.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 642

Ingredients
  

Fruit Preparation
  • 1 pound fresh fruit combination of strawberries, grapes, and mandarin segments
Sugar Syrup
  • 3 cups granulated white sugar must be white sugar, not brown or raw
  • cups water clean, filtered water works best
For Setting
  • 1 large bowl ice water for setting the candy coating immediately

Equipment

  • Medium stainless steel pot
  • Candy thermometer or digital thermometer
  • 8-10 wooden skewers
  • Large glass bowl for ice bath
  • Parchment-lined baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Prepare Your Fruit

    Wash all fruit thoroughly in cold water. Pat completely dry with paper towels - any moisture will prevent the coating from adhering properly. Thread 1-3 pieces of fruit onto wooden skewers and arrange on a clean plate near your workspace.
  2. Set Up Ice Bath

    Prepare a large bowl filled with ice water and place it next to your cooking area. This will be essential for setting the candy coating immediately after dipping.
  3. Make Sugar Syrup

    In a stainless steel pot, combine sugar and water. Do not stir the mixture once heating begins. Place over medium heat and cook for 15-20 minutes until the mixture reaches exactly 300°F on a candy thermometer (hard crack stage).
  4. Coat the Fruit

    Working quickly, dip each fruit skewer into the hot sugar syrup, rotating to coat completely. Immediately plunge the coated fruit into the ice water bath and hold for 10-15 seconds until the coating hardens.
  5. Serve Immediately

    Place the finished tanghulu on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining fruit skewers. Serve immediately for the best crispy texture, as the coating will soften over time.

Notes

Pro Tips for Perfect Results:

  • Use stainless steel pots: They heat evenly and clean easily
  • Dry fruit completely: Any moisture prevents coating adhesion
  • Work quickly: Sugar syrup hardens fast at room temperature
  • Don't stir syrup: Stirring causes unwanted crystallization
  • Monitor temperature closely: 300°F creates the perfect hard crack stage

Troubleshooting:

  • Coating won't harden: Syrup didn't reach 300°F
  • Sugar crystallizes: Pot was stirred or had impurities
  • Coating slides off: Fruit wasn't dried thoroughly

Storage:

Best served immediately. Can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 hours maximum. Do not refrigerate as it will soften the coating.