Description
Delicious Sweet Sesame Balls are a classic Asian snack featuring a chewy glutinous rice flour dough filled with sweet red bean paste or other creative fillings. These golden sesame-coated balls are deep-fried to perfection, offering a crunchy exterior and a soft, sweet center. Perfect as a snack or dessert, they are easy to make and delightful to eat warm.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 cups glutinous rice flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup hot water (adjust as needed for dough consistency)
Filling Options
- 1 cup red bean paste (classic filling)
- Lotus seed paste (optional)
- Black sesame paste (optional)
- Ube halaya (purple yam jam) (optional)
- Nut butter (optional)
Coating and Frying
- 1 cup white sesame seeds
- Neutral oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola oil)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the glutinous rice flour and sugar thoroughly. Gradually pour in the hot water, stirring continuously until a smooth, pliable dough forms. Adjust water quantity slightly if needed to achieve the right consistency.
- Form and fill the balls: Divide the dough into small even pieces. Flatten each piece with your hands and place about one teaspoon of your chosen filling (red bean paste or alternative) in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling and shape it into a neat ball, ensuring the filling is completely enclosed.
- Coat with sesame seeds: Lightly moisten each ball with water on the surface, then roll it generously in white sesame seeds until evenly coated, which will give the balls their signature crunchy exterior.
- Heat oil for frying: Pour neutral oil into a deep pan to a depth sufficient for deep frying. Heat the oil to approximately 330°F (165°C), using a thermometer for accuracy to ensure perfect frying temperature without burning.
- Fry the sesame balls: Carefully place the coated balls into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry until they turn a beautiful golden brown color, about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking.
- Drain and cool: Remove the fried sesame balls with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a wire rack or plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil, maintaining their crispiness.
- Serve warm: Enjoy your sweet sesame balls warm for the best texture and flavor. Optionally, sprinkle additional sesame seeds on top before serving for extra crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- Be gentle when wrapping the filling to avoid tearing the dough.
- If the dough feels too sticky, dust your hands lightly with glutinous rice flour.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature to prevent soggy or burnt balls.
- These sesame balls are best eaten fresh but can be stored and gently reheated before serving.
- Experiment with different fillings to customize sweetness and flavor.
