A colourful layered dessert of shaved ice, evaporated milk, sweet beans, jellies and fruit, topped with a scoop of purple yam ice cream.
Halo-halo
- 2 cups shaved or crushed ice
- 4 tbsp sweetened red mung beans
- 4 tbsp sweetened white beans or chickpeas
- 4 tbsp nata de coco (coconut jelly)
- 4 tbsp sweetened jackfruit, sliced
- 4 tbsp sweetened plantain, sliced
- 200 ml evaporated milk
- ube (purple yam) ice cream, to top
- leche flan, to top (optional)
- Layer the sweet beans, nata de coco, jackfruit and plantain in the bottom of tall glasses.
- Pack in the shaved or crushed ice on top.
- Pour over the evaporated milk.
- Top with a scoop of ube ice cream and a slice of leche flan if using.
- Serve immediately with a long spoon, mixing everything together before eating.
What is halo-halo?
Halo-halo is the best known Filipino dessert: a tall glass layered with sweet beans, jellies, fruit and shaved ice, topped with evaporated milk, leche flan and a scoop of ube ice cream. You stir it all together before eating, which is where the name comes from, as halo means mix.
It is a summer favourite, sold at street stalls and in fast food chains across the Philippines.
Ingredient notes and UK swaps
- Sweetened beans and fruits: jars of sweet red beans, white beans, jackfruit, nata de coco and kaong (palm fruit) are sold in Filipino shops and online.
- Ube: ube jam (halaya) or ube ice cream gives the purple colour and a vanilla nutty taste.
- Ice: finely shaved ice works best. Blitz ice cubes in a strong blender if you do not have a shaver.
- Milk: evaporated milk is traditional. Condensed milk makes it sweeter.
Building a halo-halo
Spoon 1 to 2 tbsp of each sweet filling into the bottom of a tall glass. Pack shaved ice on top, pour over cold evaporated milk, then finish with a slice of leche flan, a scoop of ice cream and a sprinkle of toasted pinipig (rice flakes) or crushed cornflakes. Serve with a long spoon straight away.
Tips for the best halo-halo
- The name literally means “mix mix”, the dessert is meant to be stirred together before eating, not eaten in layers.
- Prepare the sweet toppings ahead of time so assembly is quick once the ice is ready.
Assembling it just before serving
Halo-halo should be assembled and eaten immediately, the ice melts quickly once the evaporated milk is poured over, prepare all the sweet toppings ahead of time so the final assembly takes only a minute or two.
Common topping variations
Sweet corn, red mung beans, coconut strips and pinipig (crispy rice) are all traditional halo-halo toppings beyond the ones listed here, use whatever combination of sweet ingredients you can find.
Frequently asked questions
What does halo-halo mean?
It translates to “mix mix” in Tagalog, referring to how the dessert is stirred together before eating.
Can I make halo-halo without ube ice cream?
Yes, vanilla or any ice cream works as a substitute, though ube is the traditional topping.
Can I prepare halo-halo ahead?
Prepare the fillings and keep them in the fridge, but only add the ice and milk just before serving or it will melt into a watery drink.
