The Viral Strawberry Tanghulu Is a Sweet, Crunchy and Addictive Treat You Can Make in 30 Minutes

I have a confession to make: I’m absolutely obsessed with strawberries. So, when I stumbled upon a trending TikTok video of shiny, candied strawberries on sticks—known as "strawberry tanghulu"—I was instantly hooked. The sight of those glistening red berries, encased in a crunchy sugar shell, had me drooling before I even hit play. Little did I know, this treat wasn’t just another viral food trend; it’s actually a classic Chinese street food that’s now taking the internet by storm. Naturally, I had to try making it myself, and let me tell you—it’s easier than you think. Here's how to make homemade strawberry tanghulu.

What is strawberry tanghulu?

Strawberry tanghulu is the sweet treat you didn’t know you needed in your life until TikTok made it a sensation. Originally from northern China, tanghulu typically features fruits like hawthorn berries, grapes or even cherry tomatoes, all skewered and coated in a crunchy, candy-like syrup. Think of it like candied fruit, but way better than any packaged variety at the grocery store. But when TikTok got ahold of this traditional snack, strawberries became the star of the show. Now, you don’t need a passport to get your hands on these fruity treats. People have shared their own attempts online at recreating the skewers:

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Tips for making perfect strawberry tanghulu

Before you dive into your own tanghulu-making adventure, here are some handy tips to ensure your strawberries come out perfectly crunchy and sweet every time:

1. Choose firm, fresh strawberries

The key to great tanghulu is starting with the best strawberries you can find. So, if the strawberries sitting in your fridge feel a bit soft, get a new container. Opt for firm, ripe berries with a great color. This ensures they’ll hold up well under the hot syrup and stay on the skewer.

2. Dry your strawberries completely

After washing your strawberries, make sure they’re thoroughly dried. Any leftover moisture can prevent the sugar from sticking properly. This can lead to a sticky mess instead of that beautiful, glassy coating.

3. Use a candy thermometer

Precision is key when making the sugar syrup. Heat your sugar and water to exactly 300°F (the hard crack stage) to get that glass-like coating. If you go too low, the sugar won’t harden. But too high, and it’ll burn.

4. Work quickly

This isn't a slow-cooker kind of deal. Once your sugar syrup reaches the right temperature, dip your strawberries in quickly but carefully. The syrup hardens fast, as I learned the hard way. Be prepared and have your skewers ready before you start heating the sugar.

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Homemade strawberry tanghulu recipe

Trust me, this treat was as fun to make as it was tasty. Whether you’re looking to impress your friends or want to indulge in a new dessert snack, I highly recommend trying it. Follow this easy recipe below from Simply Home Cooked.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. fresh strawberries
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• Bamboo (or wooden) skewers
• Ice water

Directions:

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

Directions:

1. Rinse the strawberries and pat them dry with a paper towel. Skewer each strawberry with a bamboo stick. Prepare a bowl of ice water and set it aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Bring the heat to medium-high and stir until the sugar is dissolved, then use a candy thermometer to monitor the temperature. When it reaches 300°F, immediately remove from heat.
3. Quickly dip each skewered strawberry into the syrup, coating entirely. Allow any excess syrup to drip off.
4. Gently swirl the strawberries into the iced water for a few seconds, then stand the skewers up or lay flat on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining strawberries.

Storage notes

Tanghulu is best enjoyed immediately for that perfect crunch. If you must store it, keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours. However, the sugar coating may soften slightly.

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