Halo-Halo with Ube and Tropical Fruits
A refreshing Filipino shaved ice dessert layered with sweet purple yam, tropical fruits, and creamy milk for a colorful treat. This filipino ready in about 15 minutes pairs shaved ice, cooked ube halaya (purple yam jam), sweetened jackfruit strips for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shaved ice
- 1/4 cup cooked ube halaya (purple yam jam)
- 1/4 cup sweetened jackfruit strips
- 1/4 cup sweetened saba banana slices
- 1/4 cup sweetened red mung beans
- 1/4 cup sweetened coconut strips
- 1/2 cup evaporated milk
- 2 tbsp pinipig (toasted rice flakes)
- 1/4 cup sweetened leche flan cubes
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream scoop
Instructions
- Step 1: In a tall glass or bowl, layer 1/4 cup cooked ube halaya at the bottom.
- Step 2: Add 1/4 cup each of sweetened jackfruit strips, sweetened saba banana slices, sweetened red mung beans, and sweetened coconut strips on top of the ube.
- Step 3: Fill the glass with 2 cups shaved ice, pressing gently to compact.
- Step 4: Pour 1/2 cup evaporated milk evenly over the ice, allowing it to seep through the layers.
- Step 5: Sprinkle 2 tablespoons pinipig toasted rice flakes over the top.
- Step 6: Add 1/4 cup sweetened leche flan cubes and finish with 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Step 7: Serve immediately with a long spoon to mix the layers as you enjoy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Halo-Halo with Ube and Tropical Fruits take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Halo-Halo with Ube and Tropical Fruits?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shaved ice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Halo-Halo with Ube and Tropical Fruits?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Halo-Halo with Ube and Tropical Fruits for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Halo-Halo with Ube and Tropical Fruits?
Filipino filipino like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
