Halo-halo
Shaved ice, evaporated milk, sweet beans and jellies — mix-mix, which is what the name says.
Recipe by I Want Some Food · Reviewed by the editorial kitchen.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- —
- Rest
- None
- Total
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Cheap nightUnder $8 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Halo-halo is a glass of shaved ice, evaporated or condensed milk, and a clutter of sweet beans, fruit and jellies. You mix it. The name says so. A scoop of ice cream on top is a later flourish. This is a home version with what a grocery actually sells — not a 20-ingredient parfait shop.
What you'll need
6 ingredients. Tap each one once it's out on the bench.
Ingredients
- Ice, shaved or finely crushed600 g
- Milk, evaporated, or ordinary milk plus a spoon of sugar250 ml
- Sweet red beans, sweetened, canned or leftover200 g
- Mango, ripe, diced1
- Sugar30 ml
- Coconut milk, or macapuno strings if you have them (optional)80 ml
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
Spoon beans, mango and any other sweets into glasses. Pile shaved ice on top.
10 min
Step 2
Pour evaporated milk and a little sugar. Mix at the table. Ice cream if you are celebrating.
Nutrition
Per serving · estimate
- Calories
- 315 kcal
- Protein
- 11.1 g
- Carbs
- 44.6 g
- Fat
- 11.2 g
- Saturated fat
- 6.1 g
- Fibre
- 7.2 g
- Sugar
- 20 g
- Sodium
- 93 mg
Calculated from canonical ingredient data (USDA FoodData Central averages and equivalent published tables). Estimates only.
Allergens
Informational only. Not a medical guarantee. Cross-contamination happens in real kitchens.
- Milk
- Vegetarian
Adapt this recipe
The original recipe stays as it is. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are simple maths.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 13 November.
Substitutions
Red beans → Sweet corn or extra mango
Still a mix-mix glass.
Tips
- Jackfruit, leche flan, ube and nata de coco are the shop extras. Use what you have.
- A blender pulse on ice cubes is not a true shave, but it is Tuesday.
History & culture
A summer merienda. Every region and every fridge has a different mix. The ice and the milk are the constants.
Japanese kakigori plus Filipino pantry sweets. The name is Tagalog for mix-mix. The glass became national in the 20th century.
Modern adaptation
Provenance: Editorial adaptation.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Halo-halo take?
20 min all in — 20 min prep. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 glasses. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegetarian.
7 more questionsFewer questions
What does it cost to cook?
Cheap night — about Under $8 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list a salt amount. We will not invent one.
How much sugar?
2 tbsp of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Red beans → Sweet corn or extra mango. Still a mix-mix glass.
Any tips from this recipe?
Jackfruit, leche flan, ube and nata de coco are the shop extras. Use what you have. A blender pulse on ice cubes is not a true shave, but it is Tuesday.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.
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