Crispy and Sweet Chickpea Candies (Gangjeong)
Crispy and Sweet Chickpea Candies (Gangjeong)
The Best Way to Enjoy Chickpeas: How to Make Delicious Chickpea Gangjeong
Try making these gangjeong with chickpeas, which are already delicious on their own! They’ll be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. This recipe is a great way to introduce healthy ingredients to kids in a fun, sweet way.
Main Ingredients- 2 cups chickpeas
- 1 cup starch (for frying)
- Cooking oil (for frying)
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for boiling)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Soaking the Chickpeas: Chickpeas need to be soaked for at least 7 hours, so it’s best to soak them overnight to save time. Make sure to use at least double the amount of water compared to the chickpeas.
Step 2
Boiling the Chickpeas: Add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to the soaked chickpeas. Fill the pot with water, about twice the volume of the chickpeas, and boil for 20 minutes until they are tender.
Step 3
Draining the Chickpeas: After boiling, drain the chickpeas thoroughly in a colander. If there’s excess water, the starch coating might not adhere well.
Step 4
Coating with Starch: Place the starch (for frying) in a wide bowl. Add the drained chickpeas and toss them around to coat them evenly with a thin layer of starch. Thorough coating is key for a crispy texture after frying.
Step 5
Frying the Chickpeas: Heat cooking oil in a pot to about 170°C (340°F). Carefully add the starch-coated chickpeas and fry them just until the starch is cooked through, about 1-2 minutes. Remove them from the oil. Increase the oil temperature to 180°C (350°F) and fry the chickpeas a second time until they are golden brown and crispy. Double-frying ensures a wonderfully crunchy texture.
Step 6
Making the Gangjeong Sauce: In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, and 1/3 cup water. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved and set the sauce aside.
Step 7
Setting Aside Some Chickpeas: Take about one cup of the fried chickpeas and set them aside. These can be enjoyed as a plain snack without the sauce, and they are also delicious!
Step 8
Assembling the Chickpea Gangjeong: Pour the prepared gangjeong sauce into a clean pot and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Once the sauce starts to bubble, add the double-fried chickpeas. Stir quickly to coat all the chickpeas evenly with the sauce. Turn off the heat and continue to toss until the chickpeas are glossy. Your delicious chickpea gangjeong is ready!
