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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / Korean Dalgona Candy (From “Squid Game”) – Paleo, Vegan

Korean Dalgona Candy (From “Squid Game”) – Paleo, Vegan

Last Updated on October 11, 2021 by Jean Choi Leave a Comment

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Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

Play the Squid Game challenge at home! Learn how to make the Korean Dalgona candy with just 2 simple ingredients. This version is paleo and vegan, made with coconut sugar!

3 dalgona candy rounds on a plate

If you’ve watched one of the most popular Netflix shows, “Squid Game,” you probably recognize this Dalgona candy. It’s the main part of one of the games that the characters play in the show, and it’s actually really fun (if your life isn’t dependent on it). It’s not the same as Dalgona coffee, although the coffee version got its name from the candy because of what it looks like in the making process.

What is Dalgona Candy?

While this candy is called Dalgona (달고나), or “it’s sweet,” the more common name that I grew up with is Ppogi (뽑기) which means “to pick out.” It’s a street food in Korea popularized in the 70s and 80s with a sweet toffee flavor, and the object is to carve out the stamped shape in the center of the cookie. If you are able to carve out the shape perfectly, you can bring it back to the vendor, and they’ll give you another one for free!

I went to kindergarten and 1st grade in Seoul, Korea, and have tried Dalgona ppogi a few times on the way home from school, and have never successfully won a second candy. It’s actually a lot harder than it looks! In “Squid Game,” each Dalgona candy is served with a needle so you can scratch out the outline before attempting to break off the background pieces.

Dalgona ppogi candy served with a needle (squid game candy)

How to Make Dalgona Candy or Korean Ppopgi Recipe

This Ppogi Korean candy is actually very simple in its ingredients, BUT the making process can take a bit of practice and time. The melted sugar hardens quickly so you have to work fast. However, the end result of this Dalgona Korean candy recipe is so worth it, and really cute and fun. Make sure you have all the equipments ready and prepped so you can work quickly:

Watch a Short Video of This Recipe

What You Need to Make Squid Game Candy

You’ll need the following ingredients and equipments to make this Ppogi Korean candy:

Ingredients

  • coconut sugar: You can also just use plain granulated white sugar, but I wanted to make a refined sugar free versions!
  • baking soda

Equipment Needed

  • parchment paper
  • wide measuring cup or a bowl with a flat bottom
  • coconut oil: Or any other cooking oil will work
  • small saucepan
  • metal spoons
  • cookie cutters: This is an Dalgona candy kit if you want to buy the official equipment. OR you can find the exact poppgi set of shapes used in Squid Game HERE.
Melting sugar in a saucepan to make Dalgona candy
Using a spoon to transfer melted sugar mixture on parchment paper to make Ppogi Korean candy
Flattening out melted sugar mixture with a bottom of a measuring cup

Instructions for Making Ppopgi Korean Candy or Dalgona Candy

Keep it mind that once the Dalgona ppopgi sugar mixture has melted, you’ll need to work fast because it starts hardening up quickly:

  1. Prep your equipment and work space before beginning: Place a parchment paper on a flat, sturdy surface. Use coconut oil to generously grease the bottom of a measuring cup or bowl and set aside.
  2. Heat coconut sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Continuously stir with a metal spoon, and the sugar will start melting and become liquified in about 2 minutes.
  3. WORKING QUICKLY, turn off heat and stir in baking soda. The mixture will become light caramel in color and start frothing.
  4. Immediately spoon out 1/3 of the mixture on the prepared parchment paper using 2 spoons. Flatten it into a circle with the bottom of the greased bowl, then quickly use a cookie cutter to stamp an outline in the center without going all the way through.
  5. Repeat the previous step two more time.
  6. Cool completely for about 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Stamping out a star shape cookie cutter to make Korean ppogi recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Dalgona ppopgi taste like?

It’s just melted sugar that’s hardened, so it tastes like toffee! Really deliciously sweet.

Can I use another type of sugar?

You can use white granulated sugar or brown sugar instead. I like to use coconut sugar to keep it paleo and refined sugar free. I’ve never tried any keto sweeteners for this recipe, so I’m not sure how they’ll turn out.

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Since you have to work so quickly once the sugar is melted, I recommend just making one batch at a time, then repeat the process. You may not have enough time to flatten and stamp the ppopgi candy before the sugar mixture starts hardening up.

How do you clean up hardened Dalgona candy remnants from the pot and utensils?

The hardened candy is actually easy to clean! Just run the pots and used utensils under hot water until the candy melts off.

How do you store Dalgona candy and how long does it last?

You can keep it partially covered at room temperature for up to a week.

Squid game candy broken off, served with a needle

If you enjoyed this Dalgona Korean candy recipe, you might also like…

  • Paleo & Vegan Pumpkin Spice Whipped Coffee (Dalgona Coffee)
  • Paleo & Keto Dalgona Matcha Latte (Whipped Matcha)
  • Korean Caramelized Sweet Potatoes (Goguma Mattang)
  • Paleo Songpyeon Recipe (Korean Rice Cake Dessert)
3 Dalgona Candy (Squid Game candy) on a plate

Korean Dalgona Candy (From “Squid Game”) – Paleo, Vegan

Play the Squid Game challenge at home! Learn how to make the Korean Dalgona candy with just 2 simple ingredients. This version is paleo and vegan, made with coconut sugar!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: dalgona korean candy recipe, dalgona ppopgi, how to make dalgona candy, korean ppopgi, paleo candy, ppopgi korean candy , vegan candy
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Resting Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3 Dalgona Candies
Calories: 43kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar granulate white sugar will also work!
  • 1/8 tsp baking soda

Equipment needed

  • Parchment paper
  • Wide measuring cup or a bowl with a flat bottom
  • Coconut oil or any other cooking oil
  • Small saucepan
  • 2 metal spoons
  • Cookie cutters or the exact Squid Game candy kit

Instructions

  • Before you begin, prep your equipment: Place a parchment paper on a flat, sturdy surface. Grease the bottom of a measuring cup or bowl generously with coconut oil and set aside. Have the cookie cutters on hand so they are easily reachable.
  • Add coconut sugar to the saucepan and heat over medium heat. Continuously stir with a metal spoon, and the sugar will start melting and become liquified in about 2 minutes.
  • Work quickly for the next 3 steps: Turn off heat and stir in baking soda. The mixture will become light caramel in color and start frothing.
  • Spoon out 1/3 of the mixture on the parchment paper using 2 spoons to scrape the sticky melted sugar from one another. Immediately flatten it into a circle with the bottom of the greased bowl, then quickly use a cookie cutter to stamp an outline in the center without going all the way through.
  • Repeat the previous step two more time.
  • Cool completely for about 10 minutes. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Korean Dalgona Candy (From "Squid Game") – Paleo, Vegan
Amount Per Serving (1 candy – makes 3)
Calories 43
% Daily Value*
Sodium 72mg3%
Carbohydrates 12g4%
Sugar 9g10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Video

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By Jean Choi | October 11, 2021

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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