Chamoy Candy

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Chamoy candy turns bold and intense Mexican flavors into tasty, bite-sized treats. Spicy, tangy, sweet, salty, and umami flavors will give your taste buds a run for their money!

📖 About

There are many different ways to prepare chamoy candy, but one of the most common you’ll see in Mexico is dulces enchilados (chile candies).

This spicy Mexican treat is sold by street vendors or stores all over the country. For a DIY version at home, all you’ll need is:

• Candy
• Chamoy
• Chile-lime seasoning

Toss everything together and you’re left with a flavor-packed dulces enchilados recipe. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience!

History

Sweets have been around for centuries in Mexico, taking on many new forms as new cultures and cuisines fused together.

For example, cacao was first cultivated in Mexico and used in ceremonies or celebrations. Indigenous people would add different spices like chiles to flavor the bitter chocolate.

When sugar was introduced to Mesoamerica during the Spanish conquest, it began being added to traditional foods like cacao. Many years later, sugar is used to sweeten all sorts of treats like mazapan, tamarindo candy, palanqueta, and dulces enchilados.

🌱 Is it vegan?

We have to admit, it seems crazy to think candy wouldn’t be vegan (it’s just candy!). While this is a hotly-debated topic, we’ll just share a few points and you can decide what feels right.

• Chamoy: We’ve noticed many store-bought chamoy brands are artificially colored with red 40, which may be tested on animals. We’ve been trying to steer away from this (although definitely not perfect here).
• Candy: Try to avoid candy that contains beeswax or gelatin as these ingredients are derived from animals.
• Powdered sugar: Bone char is used in the processing of many refined sugars. If you can find it, try Wholesome powdered sugar.

Note: If you’re unsure if a product is vegan, try scanning it in the Is It Vegan? App.

🍲Ingredients & substitutions

For complete ingredient measurements and instructions, see our recipe card.

• Candy: A few of the Peta-approved vegan candies include Dots, Jujubes Skittles, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Kids, or certain brands of peach rings.
• Chamoy: We alternate between mango chamoy or regular chamoy for dulces enchilados. If you prefer to save time, try store-bought chamoy.
• Powdered sugar: If you use a runny chamoy, it’s best to thicken it with powdered sugar. If not, powdered sugar isn’t really necessary.
• Chile-lime seasoning: Our go-to is Tajin, but you can make your own version with cayenne, ancho chile powder, and citric acid.

For more information about one of the most popular condiments in Mexico, check out our detailed guide on chamoy.

🔪 Instructions

If you have questions about this chamoy candy recipe, check out our FAQs or leave a comment.

Step 1: Combine the powdered sugar and chamoy together in a bowl. Mix until no clumps remain. Note: You can heat the mixture to make it extra smooth.

Step 2: Add about 70 grams of candy to a container with a few teaspoons of the chamoy mixture. Close the lid and shake to coat the candy.

Step 3: Add a sprinkle of chile-lime seasoning (more if you prefer spicy, less if you prefer sweet) and shake the containers again to coat the candies.

Step 4: Continue this process until you run out of chamoy mixture or candies. Serve immediately. Happy eating!

🥗 Serving suggestions

If these dulces enchilados are making your mouth pucker, follow them up with any of these sweet aguas frescas:

• Agua de sandia: Juicy watermelon blended with water and ice.
• Agua de Mazapan: Creamy peanut candies blended with plant milk.
• Tamarindo drink: Sweet and tangy tamarind-flavored agua fresca.
• Melon agua fresca: Made with extra ripe and sweet cantaloupe.

🌡️ Storage

If you have leftover chamoy candy, here’s what to do:

• Room temperature: They can be left at room temperature in airtight containers for about 1 or 2 days max.
• Fridge: If you prefer your dulces enchilados on the cooler side, store them in the fridge for around 3-4 days for the best flavors.

♻️ Variations

• Low-calorie: For a lower-calorie option, try Smart Sweets candy. All varieties except the gummy bears and gummy worms are 100% plant-based.
• Extra spicy: If you’re a spice lover, add an extra teaspoon of cayenne powder, piquin chile powder, or arbol chile powder to your dulces enchilados.
• No spice: Keep the chile seasoning to the side for a simple chamoy candy recipe.
• Fruit: Instead of using candy, try dulces enchilados with dried fruits like mangoes, papayas, cantaloupe, or strawberries.

💬 FAQ

🍴 Similar recipes

For more crazy delicious flavor combos, make sure you test out these recipes:

• Mangonada: A frozen mango drink filled with sweet, sour, spicy, salty, and umami flavors (plus, a tasty tamarind straw).
• Tamarindo candy: Tamarind pulp mixed with piloncillo and coated with different flavorings.
• Pepinos locos: A spicy and flavor-packed snack made from a base of cucumber cups.
• Tostilocos: Tortilla chips, fruit, tamarind candy, and cracker nuts covered in spicy sauces, lime, and Tajin.
• Chamoy rim dip: A tangy, spicy, and sticky rim paste to go with beers or hard seltzers.

Note: We’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.