Strawberry Tanghulu

If you’ve seen shiny, candy-coated fruit on a stick in street food videos, that’s Tanghulu. It’s also fun to make at home. Strawberry Tanghulu is crunchy and sweet. Its glossy sugar shell makes it very appealing. It’s like nature’s candy: juicy strawberries coated in a hard sugar glaze. It shatters like glass when you take a bite. You don’t need fancy tools or ingredients. Just grab some strawberries, sugar, water, and a bit of patience.

What is strawberry tanghulu?

Strawberry Tanghulu is a tasty Chinese candied fruit snack. It began with hawthorn berries. Now, it often includes strawberries, grapes, and other fruits too. The fruit gets skewered and dipped in hot sugar syrup. It cools in a short time, forming a crunchy candy coating. The result? A crispy, shiny shell on the outside and juicy fruit inside make for an addictive texture.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’ll enjoy making strawberry tanghulu. It’s fun, tasty, and looks like candy shop treats. It uses only 3 ingredients, takes less than 20 minutes, and makes a super unique dessert or party treat. You don’t need a thermometer if you follow the visual cues, and the crunch factor? Next level. It’s a great way to wow guests or just treat yourself to something different.

Kitchen Equipment You’ll Need

• Wooden skewers or bamboo sticks
• Medium saucepan
• Slotted spoon or tongs
• Parchment paper or silicone mat
• Bowl of ice water (for quick setting)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup water
• 12–15 fresh strawberries (washed and completely dried)
• Wooden skewers or bamboo sticks

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Strawberries

Wash your strawberries and dry them completely. This is super important — if there’s moisture on the fruit, the sugar will not adhere correctly. Skewer 2–3 strawberries per stick depending on size.

Tip: Use firm, fresh strawberries. Avoid overripe or soft ones — they’ll leak juice and ruin the shell.

2. Make the Sugar Syrup

In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and ½ cup of water. Heat on medium. Don’t stir. Wait until the sugar dissolves completely. The syrup will bubble and thicken. This usually takes 5–7 minutes.

Watch for the syrup to take on a light golden color and a thready texture — that’s when it’s ready. Test it by dipping a spoon into the syrup, then into cold water. If it hardens into a crisp shell, you’re ready to go.

Do not stir the syrup while it cooks — this causes crystallization.

3. Dip the Strawberries

Tilt the pan a bit. Dip the strawberry skewers into the hot syrup without delay. Coat them so that the coverage is even. Allow the excess to drip off. Place it on a parchment-lined tray or dip it in a bowl of ice water without delay. This will help set the shell in a short amount of time.

Be careful! The sugar syrup is very hot. Handle skewers, not the fruit.

4. Let Them Set

The sugar coating should harden within a minute or two. Once set, the strawberries are ready to enjoy. The outer shell should be clear, crunchy, and slightly sweet — like biting into a candy apple, but better.

Variations You Can Try

You can use various fruits for tanghulu. Try grapes, mandarin slices, blueberries, or kiwi chunks. Just make sure whatever fruit you use is dry and firm. Want a twist? Add some food coloring to the syrup. You can also sprinkle crushed freeze-dried fruit on top before it hardens. You can also add a tiny splash of lemon juice to the syrup to help prevent crystallization.

Storage and Serving Tips

• Serve immediately: Tanghulu is best enjoyed fresh for maximum crunch
• Short-term storage: If needed, store uncovered at room temp for a few hours
• Avoid fridge: Refrigeration makes the sugar coating melt or become sticky
• Best for: Parties, Valentine’s Day, spring picnics, or edible gifts

FAQs

Do I need a thermometer for Tanghulu?

Nope! Just use the cold water test — if the syrup hardens into glass, it’s ready.

Why won’t the sugar stick to my fruit?

The fruit is probably too wet — make sure it’s 100% dry before dipping.

Can I use other fruits?

Yes! Grapes, blueberries, or citrus slices work great.

How long does Tanghulu stay crunchy?

A few hours at room temp — it’s best eaten fresh.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Not really — the sugar shell softens over time. Make it right before serving.

Final Thought

Strawberry Tanghulu is one of those simple treats that feels like magic. With only a few simple ingredients, you create something special. It has a shiny, crunchy shell that leads to juicy, sweet fruit. It’s fun to make, fun to eat, and guaranteed to impress. Tanghulu adds a wow factor to your kitchen, whether it’s your first try or a weekend tradition. Enjoy every shiny bite!