Tempura Strawberries with Chocolate Orange Dipping Sugar is like nothing you’ve ever tasted. These fried strawberries might not look so pretty, but they sure taste good.
I so excited to share my new favorite strawberry recipe, Tempura Strawberries, with you.
Admittedly, fried Strawberries are not nearly as pretty as vine-ripened strawberries in all their natural glory. Although it’s not the most beautiful dish of all-time, please don’t let that stop you from giving it a go.
Because tempura batter is so thin, the berries don’t really cook in the coating, they just warm up and become super juicy. Have you ever eaten strawberries still warm from the sun? That’s what Tempura Strawberries taste like.
Scroll through the photos to see how to make Tempura Strawberries:

Assemble the ingredients for the batter.

Grate the orange zest and chocolate into the sugar.

Set up a sheet pan with a cooling rack next to the oil. As the strawberries are fried, put them on the rack to drain.

The tempura coating is very thin.

Drain the strawberries as they are fried.
By replacing some of the water with vodka you’ll form less gluten in the batter and end up with a super light and crisp tempura coating. If you don’t have vodka available, or don’t like to use alcohol, you can use all seltzer instead.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, please consider leaving a 5-star review.

Tempura Strawberries
Have you ever eaten strawberries still warm from the sun? That’s what Tempura Strawberries taste like.
Ingredients
Dipping Sugar
- Zest of 1/2 orange, grated
- 1/4 cup (2 oz, 60g) granulated sugar
- 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, grated
Strawberries
- 2 quarts vegetable oil
- 1 cup (4 oz, 120g) cake flour
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg, whisked (you only need 1/2, the the rest for egg wash or another use)
- 1/2 cup vodka (see note)
- 1 quart strawberries, use a damp paper towel to wipe clean
- 1/2 cup seltzer water
Instructions
Make Dipping Sugar
- Combine the sugar, orange zest and grated chocolate in a small bowl. Toss with a fork to combine
Fry the strawberries
- Heat the oil in a heavy pan.
- Combine the flour, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients. Combine the seltzer with the vodka.
- Pour the seltzer/vodka into the flour, mix until partially combined. Pour half the whisked egg into the batter and stir just until the ingredients are combined.
- When the oil reach 400°F dip a strawberries into the batter and gently lower into the oil. Fry for just a minute until the coating is crisp and lightly browned. Drain on a rack set over a sheet pan.
- Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Serve while still hot with the dipping sugar.
Notes
If you don't have vodka or don't like to use alcohol, use 1 cup of seltzer water instead of a 1/2 cup of each.
Recommended Products
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Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 7-1/4-Quart Round French (Dutch) Oven, Cerise (Cherry Red)
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Taylor Digital Cooking Probe Thermometer and Timer
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Vollrath Wear-Ever Half-Size Sheet Pans
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Stainless Steel Wire Cooling Rack
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Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm
Sunday 19th of June 2016
I love Cook's Illustrated too but I am nowhere near as creative as your son. Kudos to him and to you for making this lovely dessert.
Erin | Thanks for Cookin
Wednesday 15th of June 2016
I think your pictures came out beautifully. That dipping sugar looks divine, too!!!
Carlee
Sunday 12th of June 2016
What a super fun idea! I love how it came about too. I don't usually fry things at home, but may have to make an exception for these!
Jennifer
Sunday 12th of June 2016
Such a fun dessert! I love your idea of serving this with orange and chocolate dipping sugar!
Caroline
Sunday 12th of June 2016
What a fun idea to tempura strawberries! I can imagine they're tasty.