These Easy Homemade Taro Balls are a chewy, bouncy treat made from mashed taro root and tapioca starch — the perfect addition to a bowl of sweet soup, shaved ice, or milk tea! Loved in Taiwanese desserts like tang yuan or grass jelly bowls, these vibrant purple gems are gluten-free, fun to make, and even better to eat!
🕒 Prep Time: 25 mins
🔥 Cook Time: 5 mins
⏱️ Total Time: 30 mins
🍽️ Servings: 4
🔢 Calories per Serving: ~190
📝 Ingredients:
- 🍠 1 cup cooked taro root, mashed
- 🌾 ½–¾ cup tapioca starch, plus more for dusting
- 🍬 2 tbsp sugar (optional, for sweetness)
- 💧 Water, as needed
Optional for color and variety:
- 🎃 Mashed sweet potato or purple yam (to make multicolored balls)
- 🍯 Brown sugar syrup or coconut milk, for serving
👩🍳 Instructions:
1️⃣ Steam and Mash the Taro
Peel and cube fresh taro. Steam until soft (about 15–20 minutes), then mash while hot until smooth.
2️⃣ Mix with Tapioca Starch
Add sugar (if using) to the mashed taro, then slowly mix in ½ cup of tapioca starch. Use your hands to knead until a soft, non-sticky dough forms. Add more starch if too wet, or a splash of water if too dry.
3️⃣ Shape the Balls
Divide the dough into small portions. Roll each into a rope, then cut into bite-sized pieces. Lightly dust with starch to prevent sticking.
4️⃣ Cook the Taro Balls
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the taro balls and cook until they float (about 2–3 minutes). Let them cook for another 2 minutes for perfect chewiness.
5️⃣ Shock in Cold Water
Transfer the cooked balls into a bowl of ice water to firm up the texture. Let sit for 1 minute.
6️⃣ Serve
Drain and serve warm or chilled — try them with coconut milk, brown sugar syrup, grass jelly, or sweet tofu!
🍯 Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- ✅ Just 3 ingredients
- ✅ Naturally gluten-free
- ✅ Customizable with different roots (sweet potato, purple yam)
- ✅ Viral-worthy dessert that’s fun to make
- ✅ Chewy, sweet, and totally satisfying
📌 Save this Easy Homemade Taro Balls recipe and impress your guests with a trendy, Instagram-worthy dessert that’s surprisingly simple!
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