20+ BEST Ube Recipes (2024)

by Erin

Jump to Recipe

Ube, also known as purple yam, is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be used to make a wide variety of dishes, from sweet to savory. It has a unique flavor that is both nutty and sweet, and its vibrant purple color makes it a visually appealing addition to any meal. Here’s 20+ tasty ube recipes to try out!

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (1)

Ube lends the prettiest violet hue to your cooking and baking! But how do you use it?

Here’s some tips for using ube in your cooking:

  • Ube can be found fresh, frozen, or dried in most Asian grocery stores.
  • If you’re using fresh ube, be sure to peel it and cut it into cubes before cooking.
  • Ube can be steamed, boiled, or roasted.
  • Once cooked, ube can be mashed, puréed, or diced.
  • Ube has a natural sweetness, so you may not need to add much additional sugar to your recipes.
  • Ube can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.
  • Ube is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

So what are you waiting for? Get creative and start using ube in your cooking today!

💜 Looking for more purple foods? Here’s 40+ NaturallyPurple Foods to try out!

The BEST Ube Recipes

Desserts

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (2)

Yes, it is possible to make ube ice cream successfully at home! Using an ice cream maker, this ube ice cream recipe is creamy and so good.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking Therapy

Ube Ice Cream

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (3)

This moist and fluffy cake is made with ube halaya and topped with a creamy ube frosting. It's the perfect dessert for any special occasion.

Get the RECIPE from Hummingbird High

Ube Cake

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (4)

This ube basque cheesecake combines Filipino and Spanish flavors. Flavored with ube halaya and ube extract, this is one of the best cheesecakes you will ever taste.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking Therapy

Ube Basque Cheesecake

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (5)

Soft and fudgy ube brownies studded with white chocolate.

Get the RECIPE from Catherine Zhang

Ube Brownies

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (6)

A fragrant ube dough is marbled with a classic vanilla dough for a vibrant cookie that is unlike any other.

Get the RECIPE from Constellation Inspiration

Marbled Ube Cookies

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (7)

Made with ube halaya, brown sugar, and cinnamon, these ube cinnamon rolls are the perfect sweet breakfast that are not too sweet.

Get the RECIPE from Cooking Therapy

Ube Cinnamon Rolls

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (8)

Ube halaya is a sweet and delicious Filipino dessert, and it’s not hard to see why it’s popular! Make it from scratch for a better tasting purple yam jam!

Get the RECIPE from The Flavor Bender

Ube Halaya

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (9)

This soft and fluffy ube chiffon cake is flavored by a mixture of dehydrated purple yam powder, ube halaya, and coconut milk.

Get the RECIPE from The Little Epicurean

Ube Chiffon Cake

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (10)

This ube waffle is extraordinary with its ultra chewy, mochi-like centers with a light and crispy crust–let’s not even get started on the sweet and nutty flavor of this traditional Filipino purple yam.

Get the RECIPE from Hungry Huy

Ube Waffles

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (11)

Soft and airy chiffon cake topped with a thin layer of milk custard flan, this Ube Flan cake is a delicious combination of two luscious desserts!

Get the RECIPE from Woman Scribbles

Ube Flan Cake

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (12)

This creamy ube cheesecake is made with an oreo cookie crust and coconut whipped cream on top. It’s full of purple yam and coconut flavour!

Get the RECIPE from Teak and Thyme

Ube Cheesecake

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (13)

These easy Ube Cheesecake Bars are SO delicious! It has a crispy graham cracker crust, luscious cheesecake batter, & beautiful ube swirl topping. It’s a showstopper dessert!

Get the RECIPE from Balance with Jess

Ube Cheesecake Bars

20+ BEST Ube Recipes (14)

This deliciously stunning pie features an ube and coconut cream filling in a chocolate cookie crust, and is topped with fresh whipped cream.

Get the RECIPE from Love and Olive Oil

Ube & Coconut Cream Pie

    Savory Dishes

    20+ BEST Ube Recipes (15)

    Chickpea-free hummus made with a simple mixture of sweet potato, tahini, and spices. Perfect for a a fun snack, appetizer, breakfast, or light meal.

    Get the RECIPE from Flora & Vino

    Ube Toast

    20+ BEST Ube Recipes (16)

    Cosy up to a bowl of this colourful purple yam soup prepared with fresh ube, coconut milk and ginger. It’s vegan, gluten-free, and ready in 30 minutes!

    Get the RECIPE from Foodaciously

    Ube Soup

    20+ BEST Ube Recipes (17)

    This ube pandesal recipe is absolutely delicious! Give the classic Filipino breakfast staple an exciting and delicious twist with the new ube cheese pandesal with ube halaya!

    Get the RECIPE from Aubrey's Kitchen

    Ube Pandesal

    20+ BEST Ube Recipes (18)

    These savory pastries are perfect for a party or potluck.

    Get the RECIPE from Junbelen.com

    Ube Empanadas

    20+ BEST Ube Recipes (19)

    These Purple Sweet Potato Pasta are eye-catching and a sublime game changer to your lunch or dinner!

    Get the RECIPE from Suncore Foods

    Ube Pasta

    20+ BEST Ube Recipes (20)

    This beautiful purple ube hummus is as delicious as it looks. It’s vegan and gluten free, and very simple to make!

    Get the RECIPE from Cooking by Laptop

    Ube Hummus

      Drinks

      20+ BEST Ube Recipes (21)

      Ube latte is a sweet delicious mixture of espresso, ube flavoring, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Try it iced or serve warm.

      Get the RECIPE from The Little Epicurean

      Iced Ube Latte

      20+ BEST Ube Recipes (22)

      This ube milkshake takes less than 10 minutes with only 4 ingredients. Also included are tips on how to make the perfect milkshake!

      Get the RECIPE from Cooking Therapy

      Ube Milkshake

      20+ BEST Ube Recipes (23)

      Ube Horchata, a delicious fusion of Asian & Mexican flavors.

      Get the RECIPE from FOOD is Four Letter Word

      Ube Horchata

      20+ BEST Ube Recipes (24)

      Sweet, creamy and vibrant, this Ube Milk Tea is a refreshing drink, perfect for summer! Add tapioca pearls to make delicious Ube Bubble Tea!

      Get the RECIPE from The Flavor Bender

      Ube Milk Tea

      Did you try any of these ube recipes?

      If you loved this roundup of recipes using ube, I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a ⭐️star review⭐️! Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

      For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me onInstagram,TikTok,PinterestandFacebook.

      💜 Looking for more purple foods? Here’s 40+ NaturallyPurple Foods (Sweet + Savory)!

      20+ BEST Ube Recipes (25)

      20+ Ube Recipes (Sweet & Savory)

      No ratings yet

      Print Pin

      Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

      Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

      Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

      Servings: 4 people

      Created by Platings and Pairings

      Instructions

      • Choose one of your favorite ube recipes.

      • Gather the necessary ingredients.

      • Cook up a delicious dish!

      Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!

      Leave a Comment

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

      20+ BEST Ube Recipes (2024)

      FAQs

      Why is ube so expensive? ›

      Due to dwindling local production and the need to meet export demands, ube flavoring and color has become common in the Asian country. Scarcity in supply of the crop has also resulted in high prices.

      What is the best ube variety? ›

      DIFFERENT TYPES OF UBE:
      • The three varieties as recommended and approved by the National Seed Industry Council are: Basco ubi (whose cortex has a white-purplish tinge) Zambales ubi (purple cortex) ...
      • The original variety is called kinampay, known for its sweet aroma and taste, dubbed as the “queen of Philippine yams.”
      Apr 13, 2022

      What flavors work well with ube? ›

      Ube tastes mildly sweet (but sweeter than taro and a sweet potato), with a nutty flavor, and is a bit like a vanilla baked good. That's why it's commonly paired with coconut and white chocolate in desserts.

      What is the difference between ube and taro? ›

      Taro is earthy and starchy, and is a great choice for savory dishes, while ube has a distinct and sweet flavor, making it perfect for desserts. When it comes to nutrition, both taro and ube are packed with nutrients and have numerous health benefits, but they differ in their calorie and carbohydrate content.

      What does ube do to the body? ›

      Purple yam is good for several reasons. It offers a good amount of dietary fibre, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It can support digestive health, provide antioxidant protection, help regulate blood sugar levels, contribute to weight management, and promote overall well-being.

      Why do Filipinos love ube? ›

      In Filipino culture, ube is not just a food but also a symbol of Filipino resilience and adaptability. Even during challenging times, the ube plant thrives, much like the Filipino spirit.

      Can you eat ube raw? ›

      Ube is not typically found in its raw form in the United States, more often available in powdered and extract forms. Raw ube contains some toxins and should be cooked down before serving.

      What is the difference between ube and purple yam? ›

      Ube Has A Thicker And More Moist Texture

      But anyone who's familiar with both will know that despite the striking similarities, ube and purple sweet potato aren't perfectly interchangeable. For one, ube has a notably subtler sweetness with stronger hints of vanilla and taro-like nuttiness.

      Can I use purple sweet potato instead of ube? ›

      Even with their differences, substituting purple sweet potatoes for ube works great in a pinch. Only a true connoisseur will taste the subtle difference.

      Can dogs eat ube? ›

      Is Ube Safe for Dogs? If the ube has been properly prepared (boiled or steamed), it is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Feeding a large amount in one go will likely lead to gastrointestinal upset or discomfort, so don't go too crazy.

      Is taro root healthier than potatoes? ›

      A one-cup serving has a third of your daily recommended intake of manganese, which contributes to good metabolism, bone health, and blood clotting. Its high levels of vitamins can also promote healthy vision, skin, circulation, and immune system function. Taro root has more than twice as much fiber as potatoes.

      What is another name for ube? ›

      Dioscorea alata is a species of yam commonly referred to as purple yam, ube, violet yam, or water yam.

      What is special about ube? ›

      Ube (Dioscorea alata) is a purple yam that is native to Southeast Asia and predominantly used in Filipino cuisine. This starchy tuber has a distinct purple-colored flesh that varies in shade and features a nutty, vanilla flavor. It is often used in desserts, from cakes to ice creams, to provide sweetness and color.

      Is there an ube shortage? ›

      With this high demand for ube locally and around the globe, ube farmers and producers can barely keep up. In August 2020, food manufacturer Ramar Foods announced an ube shortage due to demand, climate change, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

      Why is ube so popular now? ›

      Ube has a distinctive nutty, vanilla-like flavor profile, but praise is mainly awarded to its bright violet hue, which provides a pop of color in savory dishes, desserts and baked goods. That's why ube has been called the “new IT Food on Instagram” and most recently, on TikTok.

      Can you buy ube in the US? ›

      Fresh ube. Ube is rarely imported as a fresh tuber in North America, but can sometimes be found fresh in the produce sections of Asian grocery stores.

      Top Articles
      Latest Posts
      Recommended Articles
      Article information

      Author: Rev. Leonie Wyman

      Last Updated:

      Views: 5967

      Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

      Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

      Author information

      Name: Rev. Leonie Wyman

      Birthday: 1993-07-01

      Address: Suite 763 6272 Lang Bypass, New Xochitlport, VT 72704-3308

      Phone: +22014484519944

      Job: Banking Officer

      Hobby: Sailing, Gaming, Basketball, Calligraphy, Mycology, Astronomy, Juggling

      Introduction: My name is Rev. Leonie Wyman, I am a colorful, tasty, splendid, fair, witty, gorgeous, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.