If you're looking for a creative way to use rice paper, look no further than these Rice Paper Candy Straws! Featuring fresh fruit, lemon juice and just a sprinkle of sugar, the rice paper takes on the gummy texture of a chewy candy straw but without all of the bad for you ingredients or food colouring!
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I'm constantly thinking of and looking for new and innovative ways to use rice paper (I've even got a running list of Tasty Rice Paper Recipes).
I love how this versatile ingredient works for breakfast (Crispy Rice Paper Egg Wraps, I'm looking at you), dinner and even dessert.
And so this recent TikTok trend definitely caught my eye!
The rice paper is soaked in citrus water and resembles the chewy texture of sour candy. Fill them with some fruit and a dusting of sugar and you've got yourself a treat.
While they don't taste exactly like the sour candy straws that you can find at the grocery store, I personally thought that they turned out pretty well considering the simple ingredients.
And they only take a couple of minutes to prepare so they are an easy way to satisfy a candy craving.
The Ingredients
- Rice Paper- Also called bánh tráng, rice wrappers or rice paper wrappers.
- Fresh Fruit- Mango, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, green apples, pineapple- whatever you want really!
- Lemon Juice- Or lime juice.
- Water
- Coconut Sugar- Regular granulated or coarse sugar will work as well.
The Method
1. Prepare your station. Slice your fruit into sticks (about ¼-1/2 inch diameter). Alternatively, you can use finely chopped fruit and spoon it out into a line on the rice paper (in the next step). Cut the sheets of rice paper in half. Mix together equal parts lemon juice and room temperature water. I find a deep pie dish works best for soaking rice paper.
2. Soak paper. Soak one half piece of rice paper in the lemon water for 15 seconds, then flip over and soak for 15 additional seconds. Move to a large plate. The rice paper will continue to soften as it sits.
3. Assemble. Place your fruit in a line along the long side of the piece of paper, leaving about 1 inch (2 cm) of border. Fold up the bottom and top edges to cover and seal in the end of the fruit. Fold the edge of the long side over the fruit and then continue to roll. Repeat with remaining papers and fruits.
4. Sprinkle with sugar. Sprinkle each assembled candy straw with about ¼ teaspoon of sugar (or more or less depending on your preferences), rotating to ensure that you have covered all sides.
5. Enjoy!
Leftovers and Storage
Make Ahead: Fruit can be cut up to three days ahead and kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator so that you can make these whenever a craving strikes.
To Store: I don't recommend keeping leftovers of these as the texture of the rice paper will change. Instead, only assemble the amount you plan to eat at one time.
Make it Your Own
Get creative with these TikTok inspired treats! A quick search on the platform shows hundreds of videos of different people putting their own spins on it and you can too. Here are some ideas for how you can change it up:
- Use different fruits or a combination of fruits:
- Raspberry Mango
- Strawberry Banana
- Blueberry Apple
- Add additional seasonings:
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
- A dash of cayenne
- A drizzle of melted chocolate
- Roll in flavoured sugar mixtures:
- Freeze Dried Berries- add equal parts crushed berries and sugar
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Spices- Add ⅛ teaspoon per every teaspoon sugar
- Cinnamon
- Freeze Dried Berries- add equal parts crushed berries and sugar
Or try one of these interesting combinations that I came across in my searches:
- Raspberry Cinnamon
- Peanut Butter and Banana
- Mango Chamoy and rolled in Tajin sugar
Tips For Success
- For chewier straws, you can use fruit that has been cut smaller (less than ¼ inch diameter) or less fruit (if you are using the finely chopped method).
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Recipe Card
Rice Paper Candy Straws
Ingredients
- 2 sheets rice paper
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon water room temperature
- ½ cup fresh fruit
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar
Instructions
- Cut your fruit into ½ inch diameter sticks. Cut your sheet of rice paper in half. Combine warm water and lemon juice in a deep pie plate or similar dish.
- Soak one half piece of rice paper in the prepared lemon water for 30 seconds, flipping halfway through. Set on a plate. It will continue to soften as it sits.
- Place your desired kind of fruit in a line along the long side of the paper, leaving about 1 inch border on the side and top.
- Fold your candy straw by lifting and folding the bottom and top over the fruit and then staring to roll from the long side.
- Repeat with remaining ingredients and then sprinkle each with ¼ teaspoon of sugar.
- Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
More Snacks!
veenaazmanov says
This is such a creative and superb idea to enjoy some yummy treats. Perfect platter for parties.
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind comment!
Beth says
This is such a great idea! I love fruity snacks like these, and I can't wait to try these.
Janessa says
I hope you like these, Beth!
Alejandra says
This is such a creative idea! Definitely going to try these for a healthy snack!
Janessa says
I hope you enjoy them!
Tayler says
I have rice paper leftover from making sushi, so I will definitely be using it to make these candy straws. What a fun idea!
Janessa says
I hope you love them, Tayler!
Tara says
I absolutely love this fun treat! Helpful tips and lots of variety for future creations. Thanks!
Janessa says
Thank you for your kind review, Tara!