Sweet & Crunchy Homemade Oranda (Korean Rice Crispy Treat)
Sweet & Crunchy Homemade Oranda (Korean Rice Crispy Treat)
Relive Childhood Memories! How to Make Soft, Homemade Oranda at Home
Let’s make the delicious traditional Korean snack, ‘Oranda,’ right in your own kitchen! Using puffed rice kernels, you can recreate the beloved taste from your childhood with a soft yet crispy homemade Oranda. It’s easier than you think, so we’re sharing a recipe anyone can follow!
Oranda Making Ingredients- Puffed Rice Kernels (similar to rice crispies) 250g
- Mixed Nuts (crushed peanuts, pumpkin seeds, etc.) 70g
- Unsalted Butter 16g
- Granulated Sugar 25g
- Pinch of Salt
- Oligosaccharide or Corn Syrup 170g
- Water 1 Tbsp (Ts)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s gather the ingredients for making delicious, soft homemade Oranda, reminiscent of childhood treats! The main ingredients are puffed rice kernels, mixed nuts for a nutty flavor (like crushed peanuts and pumpkin seeds), butter for richness, sugar for sweetness, salt for balance, oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) for the sticky syrup, and a bit of water. You can adjust the types and amounts of nuts to your preference. A traditional frame for setting the Oranda is helpful, but if you don’t have one, any square container at home will work perfectly. The goal is just to shape it!
Step 2
If you enjoy a hearty bite, feel free to use the nuts whole. If you prefer smaller nut pieces, lightly chop them. Even though the nuts are pre-roasted, I lightly toasted them again to enhance their nutty aroma. Roast both the pumpkin seeds and crushed peanuts.
Step 3
Now, pour 170g of oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) into a saucepan or a deep frying pan. Using oligosaccharide results in a less hard and softer Oranda.
Step 4
Add 25g of granulated sugar. Sugar will make the syrup sweeter and give it a nice sheen.
Step 5
Add a pinch of salt for flavor enhancement and 16g of unsalted butter for richness. Butter contributes to a moister and more sophisticated taste for the Oranda.
Step 6
Finally, add 1 Tbsp of water to prevent the syrup from becoming too thick.
Step 7
Now, we need to melt all the ingredients in the pan. The crucial step here is: do NOT stir until all the ingredients have completely melted! Stirring before melting can cause the sugar to crystallize.
Step 8
If you start with a very low heat, it will take a long time to cook. Once the ingredients begin to melt, you can increase the heat to medium. Pay close attention to the heat once the syrup starts boiling.
Step 9
Once the syrup has melted and started to boil nicely, add the prepared 250g of puffed rice kernels. This is typically one bag’s worth.
Step 10
Next, add the roasted mixed nuts. Feel free to adjust the types and total amount of nuts according to your taste. I used about 70g of mixed nuts in total. The nuts will add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor to the Oranda.
Step 11
Now, reduce the heat to low and gently mix everything together until the puffed rice and nuts are evenly coated with the syrup. Be careful not to burn it over high heat.
Step 12
As you stir, you’ll notice a web-like, sticky consistency forming between the puffed rice kernels – this is a sign that the syrup is reaching the right stage. Once you see this ‘spider web’ effect, it’s time to turn off the heat. This indicates the syrup is thick enough to hold the Oranda together.
Step 13
Line your Oranda mold or square container with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Then, pour the mixture of puffed rice, nuts, and syrup into the mold. Press down firmly with a spatula or your hands (lightly dampened with water or oil to prevent sticking) to create an even layer.
Step 14
To adjust the thickness of your Oranda, you can stack another frame on top or fill the mold only 2/3 or 1/3 full. Using 250g of puffed rice will yield approximately the amount shown in the picture. Allow the mixture in the mold to sit undisturbed for a while to set and firm up.
Step 15
Once the Oranda has firmed up considerably, carefully remove it from the mold. If it’s sticking, gently press the bottom or sides of the mold to release it easily.
Step 16
Now, cut the Oranda into your desired serving sizes. Voilà, your delicious homemade Oranda is ready! Oranda can be a bit crumbly, so to cut it cleanly, lightly dampen your knife with water or oil, or use a gentle sawing motion.
Step 17
Here is the finished product of our delicious homemade Oranda. This is the total yield.
Step 18
If you plan to give Oranda as gifts, packaging each piece individually in small plastic bags will make them look neater and more appealing. A homemade gift made with care is always cherished.
Step 19
Packaged nicely in a gift box like this, your Oranda will surely delight the recipient! Soft yet crunchy homemade Oranda is the perfect dessert for special occasions or a thoughtful gift. Use this recipe as a guide and enjoy your delicious homemade treat! ^^
