Learn the perfect Filipino Halo Halo Ingredients and how to make this iconic Asian dessert, step by step. Layers of texture, color, and flavors make halo halo one of the best island masterpieces of sweetness and just screams, summer loving! This ultimate halo halo ingredients list is everything you need, can be adjusted to your liking, and you’ll be on your way to smacking your lips with this must-try Filipino treat soon.
Table of contents
- What Is Halo-Halo?
- Why You’ll Love This Filipino Halo-Halo Recipe
- Ultimate Halo-Halo Ingredients (Layered Bottom to Top)
- Halo Halo Ingredients Assembly and Measurements
- Equipment Needed
- How to Make Filipino Halo-Halo Step by Step
- Ingredient Substitutions (If You Can’t Find Everything)
- Notes and Variations
- Storage
When I was a kid, and till today… halo halo has always been my favorite. It’s more than ice cream because it has jellies, crunchy ice, and creamy milks. It reminds me of desserts like Korean bingsu or che thai…a mix of textures with ice and jellies! I make halo-halo at home or I buy it when I am shopping at the Filipino grocery store.
It’s so eye-catching and equally tantalizing to savor and enjoy. My kids love halo halo, and I love it so much, some of my friends call me “halo halo girl”!!
I have to agree…I am a halo-halo girl and I just have to share this recipe with you so you can enjoy halo-halo too! Let’s go…
What Is Halo-Halo?
Filipino Halo-Halo (Tagalog for “mix-mix”) is the Philippines’ most beloved shaved ice dessert.
It’s a layered, colorful, textural masterpiece combining sweetened tropical fruits, beans, jellies, milk, shaved ice, and ube ice cream—all served in a tall glass and meant to be stirred (or shall I say mix-mix) before eating.
It’s not only a popular summer treat but a symbol of Filipino culture, resourcefulness, and culinary creativity. From roadside vendors to fast food chains like Jollibee and Chowking, Filipino halo-halo is served in countless variations—but the soul of the dish remains the same: a mix of textures, flavors, and nostalgia in every spoonful.
Learn authentic halo-halo ingredients from bottom to top, step-by-step instructions, tools needed, natural substitutions, and helpful notes for recreating this iconic Filipino ice with jellies and ube ice cream dessert at home.
Why You’ll Love This Filipino Halo-Halo Recipe
- Cold, creamy, chewy, crunchy, and sweet—LOTS of textures all in one bite
- Rich in nutrients from real fruits, beans, and coconut – So it’s still healthier than other commercial cakes, ice creams, and desserts. Halo Halo actually has a lot of natural flavors in it and fiber!
- Protein-packed, gluten-free, and vegetarian-friendly
- Kid-friendly and fun to assemble
- Healthier than processed ice cream treats
- Nostalgic and deeply rooted in Filipino identity and tradition
Ultimate Halo-Halo Ingredients (Layered Bottom to Top)
Here is the exact order of ingredients, layered from bottom to top for the most authentic halo-halo experience. You can use all or some for the ultimate halo halo experience.
Sweetened Saba Bananas
- Caramelized plantain-like bananas simmered in sugar
- Adds chewy richness and tropical sweetness
Jackfruit Strips (Langka)
- Bright yellow strips with a floral, fruity fragrance
- Adds tropical flavor and aroma
Kaong (Sugar Palm Seed)
- Chewy pearls with a subtle sweetness
- Often red or green in color, soaked in syrup
Macapuno (Coconut Sport)
- Soft, stretchy coconut strands in syrup
- Uniquely tender and sweet
Nata de Coco (Coconut Gel)
- Clear or colored chewy jelly cubes
- Adds a crisp bite and visual interest
Gulaman (Jellies)
- Bright agar-based jelly cubes (red, green, yellow)
- Refreshing and fun, made from seaweed-based gelatin
Mixed Sweetened Beans (Munggo and Garbanzos)
- Earthy-sweet mung beans and garbanzo beans boiled in syrup
- Adds heartiness, fiber, and a classic halo-halo element
More Gulaman Jellies
- Additional layer for color and bounce
- Optional but traditional in some regions
Shaved or Crushed Ice
- Finer is better for milk absorption
- Acts as the neutral cold layer between toppings and fillings
Evaporated Milk
- Light, creamy, and slightly malty
Condensed Milk
- Rich, thick sweetness to bind everything together
- Drizzled over ice and absorbs into the base
Leche Flan
- Creamy Filipino caramel custard
- Rich, dense, and adds elegance to the top
Ube Halaya (Purple Yam Jam)
- Nutty-sweet mashed purple yam
- Deep violet color, buttery texture
Ube Ice Cream
- Creamy, vibrant ube-flavored scoop
- Adds cool, sweet contrast and signature purple color
Pinipig (Toasted Pounded Rice)
- Crunchy toasted rice bits
- Final topping for texture and a nutty finish
Halo Halo Ingredients Assembly and Measurements
You can also buy halo halo mix already made with all the beans (already in syrup and labeled as halo halo mix), or you can follow the list and be more natural with selecting your own ingredients.
- 1 ripe saba banana (or canned) – caramelize in a tbsp of brown sugar if using fresh saba bananas
- 2 tbsp jackfruit strips (langka)
- 2 tbsp kaong
- 2 tbsp macapuno
- 2 tbsp nata de coco
- 2 tbsp gulaman jellies (assorted colors)
- 2 tbsp cooked red mung beans (monggo)
- 2 tbsp sweetened garbanzo beans
- 2 tbsp evaporated milk
- 2 tbsp condensed milk
- 2 cups finely shaved or crushed ice
- 1 slice leche flan
- 1 tbsp ube halaya
- 1 scoop ube ice cream
- 1 tbsp pinipig or toasted puffed rice
Equipment Needed
- Tall clear glass or dessert bowl
- Ice shaver machine, or a mallet for crushed ice
- Long-handled spoon and dessert scoop
- Bowls for prepping and organizing each topping
- Knife and cutting board (if using fresh fruit)
How to Make Filipino Halo-Halo Step by Step
1: Prepare All Ingredients
- Slice saba bananas and simmer in brown sugar until caramelized.
- Dice jackfruit, rinse jarred ingredients if too syrupy.
- Prepare gulaman jellies and beans (sweeten as needed).
- Chill or freeze toppings and milk. Don’t skip this step!
2: Layer the Halo Halo Ingredients (Bottom to Top)
- Add saba bananas and jackfruit strips
- Spoon in kaong, macapuno, nata de coco
- Add gulaman jellies and sweetened beans
- Pack in finely shaved or crushed ice.
- Pour evaporated milk and condensed milk over the ice.
- Add leche flan and ube halaya
- Scoop ube ice cream on top
- Sprinkle with pinipig
3: Serve Immediately
Use a long spoon and straw. Halo-halo is traditionally served unmixed—you mix it yourself before eating, which is part of the experience.
Ingredient Substitutions (If You Can’t Find Everything)
- Saba banana → ripe plantain cooked in brown sugar
- Jackfruit → yellow mango slices
- Ube halaya → mashed purple sweet potato with butter and sugar
- Ube ice cream → vanilla or taro ice cream
- Leche flan → store-bought flan or crème caramel
- Pinipig → toasted rice cereal or puffed quinoa
- Gulaman → agar-agar jelly cubes or even fruit-flavored gelatin
- Condensed milk → add sugar to whole milk for a quick hack
Notes and Variations
Halo-halo is never one-size-fits-all. The beauty of this dessert lies in how flexible and regional it is. Some versions are ultra-layered and extravagant, while others (like Razon’s by Genn which is a Filipino restaurant) are simplified with just three core ingredients (caramelized saba banana, ice, milk, and leche flan on top).
As long as it includes shaved ice, milk, sweetened fruits or beans, and a variety of textures, it remains true to the halo-halo concept.
Expect different versions across the Philippines and abroad, especially in Filipino-American homes and eateries.
Additional add-ins can include:
- tapioca pearls or sago
- shredded cheese on top
- homemade boba balls
- mochi
- various fruits
- different ice cream flavors
- adding avocado on top (I love avocado desserts!)
- Chantilly whipped cream
Storage
Halo Halo should be eaten right away! It’s not good when stored…or consider storing the ingredients separately to mix again for future use.
You can also make halo halo popsicles! Just stick the leftovers in a mold with extra condensed and evaporated milk.
Filipino halo-halo is more than a dessert—it’s a taste of home, a symbol of cultural layering, and a refreshing way to beat the tropical heat. Whether you follow this recipe exactly or tweak it with local ingredients, the key is to create a balance of cold, creamy, chewy, crunchy, fruity, and sweet.
Ultimate Traditional Filipino Halo Halo Recipe
Equipment
-
Tall clear glass or dessert bowl
-
Ice shaver machine, or a mallet for crushed ice
-
Long-handled spoon and dessert scoop
-
Bowls for prepping and organizing each topping
-
Knife and cutting board (if using fresh fruit)
Ingredients
- 1 ripe saba banana or canned – caramelize in a tbsp of brown sugar if using fresh saba bananas
- 2 tbsp jackfruit strips langka
- 2 tbsp kaong
- 2 tbsp macapuno
- 2 tbsp nata de coco
- 2 tbsp gulaman jellies assorted colors
- 2 tbsp cooked red mung beans monggo
- 2 tbsp sweetened garbanzo beans
- 2 tbsp evaporated milk
- 2 tbsp condensed milk
- 2 cups finely shaved or crushed ice
- 1 slice leche flan
- 1 tbsp ube halaya
- 1 scoop ube ice cream
- 1 tbsp pinipig or toasted puffed rice
Instructions
1: Prepare All Ingredients
-
Slice saba bananas and simmer in brown sugar until caramelized.
Dice jackfruit, rinse jarred ingredients if too syrupy.
Prepare gulaman jellies and beans (sweeten as needed).
-
Chill or freeze toppings and milk. Don’t skip this step!
2: Layer the Halo Halo Ingredients (Bottom to Top)
-
Add saba bananas and jackfruit strips1 ripe saba banana, 2 tbsp jackfruit strips
-
Spoon in kaong, macapuno, nata de coco2 tbsp kaong, 2 tbsp macapuno, 2 tbsp nata de coco
-
Add gulaman jellies and sweetened beans2 tbsp gulaman jellies, 2 tbsp cooked red mung beans, 2 tbsp sweetened garbanzo beans
-
Pack in finely shaved or crushed ice.2 cups finely shaved or crushed ice
-
Pour evaporated milk and condensed milk over the ice.2 tbsp evaporated milk, 2 tbsp condensed milk
-
Add leche flan and ube halaya1 slice leche flan, 1 tbsp ube halaya
-
Scoop ube ice cream on top1 scoop ube ice cream
-
Sprinkle with pinipig1 tbsp pinipig or toasted puffed rice
3: Serve Immediately
-
Use a long spoon and straw. Halo-halo is traditionally served unmixed—you mix it yourself before eating, which is part of the experience.
Nutrition
The post Halo-Halo Ingredients and How to Make Filipino Halo-Halo Step by Step appeared first on Rice Life Foodie – Asian Recipes and Filipino Recipes with Natural Ingredients .
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