Bring a touch of celebratory sweetness to your table with this Crispy Fried Tangyuan, a beloved Taiwanese dessert traditionally served at weddings to symbolize ‘perfection and harmony.’ These bite-sized glutinous rice balls are known for their addictive texture contrast—a light, shatteringly crisp crust surrounding a soft, gooey mochi-like center. In this modern update, we’ve perfected the Air Fryer method, allowing you to achieve that iconic golden crunch with a fraction of the oil used in traditional deep-frying. Tossed in a classic blend of nutty roasted peanuts and sweet icing sugar, this 4-ingredient Asian treat is naturally gluten-free and vegan. Whether you’re celebrating a festival or looking for a quick, comforting sweet snack, these poppable rice ball delights are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Fried Tangyuan

Fried Tangyuan is a delicious twist on a beloved traditional dessert commonly eaten in Taiwan during the Dongzhi Festival, or Winter Solstice. While tangyuan are typically boiled and served in sweet syrup, this version is deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside — while staying chewy and soft on the inside.

Tangyuan symbolizes family reunion and growing older in Taiwanese culture, and is often made from glutinous rice flour with or without sweet fillings like black sesame or peanut. After frying, they’re dusted in peanut powder or powdered sugar for extra flavor and crunch.

This creative take on tangyuan is especially popular among younger generations for its irresistible texture and playful presentation. Whether you're celebrating the holidays or just craving something unique, fried tangyuan is a must-try fusion of tradition and fun.

Servings 4 people

Prep Time 0

Cook Time 25

Resting Time 0

Total Time 25

Equipment

Air Fryer or Deep Fryer
Mixing bowl
Oil Brush

Ingredients

300 g traditional tangyuan
50 g potato starch
30 g grounded peanut
30 g icing sugar
Vegetable oil

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F)
Pour potato starch into a tray and coat the tangyuan with potato starch.
Place the tangyuan in the fry basket and insert it into the air fryer. Cook it for 3 minutes.
After 3 minutes, open the basket and brush the tangyuan with vegetable oil. Continue to cook for 15 minutes.
While the tangyuan is cooking, we can make peanut powder. Pour ground peanut and icing sugar into a bowl and mix well.
After finished frying, pour them into the tray and let them coat with peanut powder.
Serve the Fried Tangyuan. Finish and enjoy

Calories: 330kcal

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Taiwanese

Keyword: tangyuan recipe, glutinous rice balls, Asian fried desserts, winter solstice food, air fryer dessert, Taiwanese Sweet Rice Balls, Fried Tangyuan

Cooking & Storage Tips

Do not overcook! Keep a close eye on the tangyuan in the air fryer. As soon as they start to puff up slightly, they are ready. Leaving them in too long may cause the rice balls to burst.
Best served hot and fresh for maximum crispness. Not ideal for storing or reheating, as the texture will soften. Serve immediately after coating.

Tools & equipment you may need

Air Fryer

Seletion

Oil Brush

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Last Updated on 2026-04-26

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Tangyuan (Sweet Peanut Rice Balls)