This Filipino halo halo dessert is the perfect summertime treat easily made using tropical ingredients in a sweet sundae mixture. No need for measuring as the halo halo is spooned to preference with your favorite toppings! Easy, quick, and fun to eat!
Colorful and way too easy to make, this Filipino halo halo dessert is a fun treat using sweet and tropical ingredients for a unique sundae!
Iβll share my best tips below on the must-have toppings you need while keeping this dessert economical (way better for your wallet!) and delicious!
Plus, no need for an ice crusher, as Iβll also share how I make this easy halo halo recipe without one!
This post will go over everything you need to know to create this Filipino halo halo dessert.
Recipe difficulty: Too easyβ¦enough said!
This halo halo dessert is an authentic favorite recipe for an Asian twist on a typical sundae. There is nothing difficult about this recipe as its simply layer and eat! No need to measure or proportion as itβs all based on preference! Add as much ice cream to your liking or more milk, there is no wrong answer!
Samβs Pro Tips for this Filipino Halo Halo Dessert
Get the Halo Halo Mixture
The top tip for your wallet!
With so many topping choices for the best halo halo, buying the halo halo mixture will help you. Instead of buying each topping individually, it comes perfectly preserved (and layered) in a can.
Plus, this halo halo mixture will definitely have the basics like palm fruit, nata de coco, white beans, red mung beans, jackfruit, and sometimes even banana! Super convenient as this is your one-stop shop for the easiest halo halo.
No Ice Crusher? No Problem.
So how to make halo halo without ice crusher? Simple. There are a couple tricks you can do on achieving the shaved ice consistency.
The first, being the simplest, if your refrigerator has the option to select crushed ice, this will be close enough. Literally, just put the crushed ice in the glass.
Second, you can use your blender to shave the ice to the desired consistency. Remember, youβre looking for a fine crushed consistency. The bigger the chunks, the flavors will not blend well!
Third, with this option being more labor intensive but sufficient, you can put the ice cubes in a Ziploc bag and smash it with a meat tenderizer. I used this trick in my Filipino Garlic Fried Rice | Sinangag to get the garlic cloves crushed all at one time.
Donβt Skip the Leche Flan!
Leche flan is one of the favorite toppings for an extra rich and creamy halo halo recipe. Plan to make the leche flan separately using our Creamy Filipino Leche Flan for Your Next Party for this popular topping!
Be sure to half our recipe and proceed to cut our delicious flan in cubes for the perfect bite sized topping. The flan can be made the day before assembling the halo halo.
The Topping Choices Are Endless
Remember, how I was saying above to get the halo halo mixture to help your wallet? Well, usually whatβs in this can is already the basics.
However, for an extra special Filipino halo halo dessert, there are other topping choices that can be added in addition to whatβs in the halo halo mixture:
- sweetened saba or plantain bananas
- sweet potatoes
- sweetened garbanzo beans
- coconut strips
- sago or tapioca pearls
- or any other toppings choices you may like!
Feeling adventurous? For an extra sweet topping idea with the bananas or sweet potatoes, our 3-Ingredient Filipino Banana Cue Recipe for Your Afternoon Snack and Filipino Kamote Recipe for Merienda | Sweet Potato Cue is deliciously fried in brown sugar and can be added as a topping choice!
Key Ingredients β Filipino Halo Halo Dessert
Below are some key and optional ingredients for this recipe:
- Halo halo mixture: By using the halo halo mixture, youβll get a great variety of ingredients without separately purchasing each one. There are many different types of beans in halo halo, so try to look for a halo halo mixture that has both white beans and red mung beans. Everything else is just extra!
- Evaporated milk: Having evaporated milk is so convenient to carry in your pantry and works perfectly in this Filipino halo halo dessert. You can use actual milk if desired as well.
- Tapioca pearls or sago: So, you know the black tapioca pearls usually found in boba or bubble tea? This tastes so good in halo halo! Tapioca pearls or sago can be bought separately as sometimes it’s not included in the halo halo mixture.
- Ube halaya: I love a spoonful of the ube halaya in my halo halo dessert. The purple color really makes this treat stand out!
- Ube ice cream: Generously scoop some ube ice cream on top of the glass for the perfect tropical treat for warm weather. Mango ice cream is also sometimes a popular choice!
- Leche flan: Adding leche flan is what makes this a creamy halo halo recipe and super decadent! Use our Creamy Filipino Leche Flan for Your Next Party to cut the perfect bite-sized pieces to top your halo halo.
More Variations to this Filipino Halo Halo Dessert
There are a few ways you can variate this Filipino halo halo dessert. Hereβs how:
- Change the ice cream or toppings: For the best halo halo, customize to preference! Traditional or not! Switch out the ube ice cream for mango, avocado, or even coconut! Or alternate the topping ideas!
- What can I pair with this dish? This easy halo halo recipe is fun for warm weather or gatherings. You can easily put the toppings out on a table for guests to assemble their own halo halo. For other sweet treats to include, our Perfectly Sweet and Crispy Filipino Turon Recipe | Fried Banana Rolls is always a hit or our 4-Ingredient Filipino Style Fruit Salad to Dazzle Your Guests is a must for a refreshing dessert item.
Interested in Filipino cuisine, but donβt know where to begin? Download our Top 5 Crazy-Cheap Ingredients You Need for Filipino Cooking and Where to Find It from my free resource library!
- Filipino Kamote Recipe for Merienda | Sweet Potato Cue
- 3-Ingredient Filipino Banana Cue Recipe for Your Afternoon Snack
- Creamy Filipino Leche Flan for Your Next Party
- Easy Filipino Biko Recipe with Toasted Coconut | Sweet Sticky Rice Cake
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the halo-halo mixture?
The halo halo mixture is sold all together in a can and includes palm fruit, nata de coco, white beans, red mung beans, jackfruit, and sometimes even banana.
What beans are used in halo-halo?
The beans in halo halo can be garbanzo beans, red mung beans, or even white beans.
What is the purple ice cream in halo-halo?
The purple ice cream in halo halo is ube, which is a purple sweet yam.
Is ube a Filipino flavor?
Ube is a purple yam native to the Philippines and is common in Filipino desserts.
Can I use fresh milk for halo-halo?
Fresh milk can be used in halo halo, but typically evaporated milk is used due to its convenience. For a sweeter alternative, condensed milk is a popular alternative.
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