Boba pearls, also called tapioca pearls, are the chewy balls that make bubble tea so fun to drink. We get lots of feedbacks asking can cornstarch to be used as a substitute of tapioca starch. After several small tests, and the answer is yes. You can make boba pearls with cornstarch and it is super easy, even quicker and easier than tapioca pearls.
The boba pearls made with cornstarch is less chewy than regular tapioca boba pearls. And you may also find it much easier to rolling.
We will make brown sugar boba pearls this time with just 3 simple ingredients – brown sugar, cornstarch, and water.
Tips for perfect cornstarch boba
- When heating the mixture, use slowest fire and keep stirring to make sure no burnt bottoms.
- You may find the dough slightly sticky when still not, wait for a while until it is almost cooled down before shaping.
Step by Step Instructions
step 1: Combine sugar and water – Add 2 tbsp. brown sugar and 1/3 cup water to a small saucepan. Heat over medium stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.
Step 2: Mix in cornstarch – Add 6 tbsp. cornstarch into the sugar water.
Step 3: Cook over low heat – Cook over low heat, stirring continuously until thick dough forms, 3-4 minutes.
Step 4: Knead dough – Remove from heat. Knead gently on a clean surface until dough is uniform, then roll it out to a larger pice about 1 minute.
Step 5:Shape pearls – cut the dough piece into small strips around 3/4 inch. Then pinch a small part and shape into round balls.
Now the cornstarch boba is ready. Dust with some flour to avoid sticky.
Cornstarch Boba Pearls
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 6 tbsp. cornstarch
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 tbsp. white sugar or syrup for coating
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water – Add 2 tbsp. brown sugar and 1/3 cup water to a small saucepan. Heat over medium stirring constantly until sugar dissolves.
- Mix in cornstarch – Add 6 tbsp. cornstarch into the sugar water.
- Cook over low heat – Cook over low heat, stirring continuously until thick dough forms, 3-4 minutes.
- Knead dough – Remove from heat. Knead gently on a clean surface until dough is uniform, then roll it out to a larger pice about 1 minute.
- Shape pearls – cut the dough piece into small strips around 3/4 inch. Then pinch a small part and shape into round balls.
- Coat with cornstarch- place the shaped cornstarch boba pearls in a bowl with extra cornstarch. Toss to coat. R
- Cook the pearls – Add pearls to boiling water in a medium pot. Boil 10-12 minutes until translucent, stirring gently. Turn off the fire and wait for another 5 minutes
- Sweetened the pearls – Drain cornstarch and then add white sugar. Mix well to avoid sticky. Now your cornstarch boba pearls are ready to use.
Video
Nutrition
How to Customize extra Flavors
Plain boba pearls serve as a neutral base. And our brown sugar cornstarch boba pearls has a lovely brown sugar. Following is some of the ideas of customize the flavors of cornstarch boba pearls at home.
- use mango or other fruit juice to create fruity flavor boba pearls. Strawberry, passion fruit and dragon fruit can bring the boba pearls with lovely color and texture.
- You can use white sugar to make white cornstarch boba pearls.
How to use cornstarch boba pearls
You can use it in classic milk tea to replace tapioca pearls, options are matcha milk tea, strawberry boba or lychee boba. Or try to add it into smoothies or decorate your pudding and cakes.