Name: Sesame Balls with Red Bean Paste Recipe
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 cup (120 g) glutinous rice flour; 3 tablespoon (40 g) granulated sugar; ¼ teaspoon salt; ⅓ cup (80 ml) boiling water; ⅔ cup (7 ounces) red bean paste, chilled; ¼ cup white sesame seeds, raw or toasted; 4-6 cups vegetable oil for frying

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Introduction

Sesame Balls with Red Bean Paste are a delightful treat featuring a chewy glutinous rice dough filled with sweet red bean paste. Coated with crunchy sesame seeds and fried to golden perfection, these bite-sized snacks are perfect for sharing or enjoying with tea.

A white bowl holds six round sesame balls, each fully coated in golden sesame seeds that give them a crunchy texture. One sesame ball is cut open, showing the dark brown, smooth and dense filling inside, surrounded by a translucent, slightly sticky layer beneath the sesame seed crust. The balls sit on a white marbled surface, with a small bowl of loose sesame seeds nearby, adding a simple and clean background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup (120 g) glutinous rice flour
3 tablespoon (40 g) granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
⅓ cup (80 ml) boiling water
⅔ cup (7 ounces) red bean paste, chilled
¼ cup white sesame seeds, raw or toasted
4-6 cups vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Step 1: Form the dough. In a medium bowl, mix together the glutinous rice flour and sugar. Make a well in the center and slowly pour in the boiling water. Mix with a rubber spatula until it forms into a dough and all the flour is incorporated. Knead with your hand until the dough forms a ball. If too wet and sticky, add more glutinous flour 1 tablespoon at a time. If too dry and crumbly, add warm water 1 tablespoon at a time.
Step 2: Rest the dough. Place it in a ziplock bag or cover with plastic wrap and set aside for 30 minutes.
Step 3: Prepare filling and sesame seeds. Divide the red bean paste into 10 equal balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Place sesame seeds in a small bowl and prepare a bowl of water for coating.
Step 4: Divide the dough into 10 equal balls.
Step 5: Add the filling. Flatten each dough ball into a 2-3 inch circle with your thumbs. Place a red bean ball in the center and gently wrap the dough around the filling. Pinch tightly to seal and roll between your hands until smooth with no seams.
Step 6: Coat with sesame seeds. Lightly wet the surface of each ball, then roll it in sesame seeds to coat completely. Press gently to help seeds stick.
Step 7: Fry the sesame balls. Heat 4-6 cups of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 290-300°F (149°C). Add 5 sesame balls at a time, stirring gently with a slotted spoon to prevent sticking. Fry for 10 minutes until they float and expand.
Step 8: Increase heat to medium-high and raise oil temperature to 350°F. Fry for an additional 5 minutes, turning frequently, until golden brown and crispy. The balls should grow larger and become crisp.
Step 9: Cool. Remove sesame balls with a spider strainer and place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, use toasted sesame seeds instead of raw ones for coating.
If you prefer, substitute the red bean paste with lotus seed paste or black sesame paste as the filling.
Use a candy or deep-fry thermometer to maintain accurate oil temperature for even frying.
Be gentle when rolling to avoid tearing the dough and exposing the filling.

Storage

Store cooled sesame balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator up to 2 days, and reheat gently in a low oven or steamer to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving as it may make them chewy.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a round dessert held by a woman's hand, showing two main layers: the outer layer is golden brown with sesame seeds giving it a slightly crunchy texture, while inside there is a thick, dark brown filling that looks smooth and dense. The dessert is broken in half to display the rich filling inside. In the background, several similar round desserts sit in a white bowl on a white marbled surface. The lighting highlights the textures and colors clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake sesame balls instead of frying?

Traditional sesame balls are deep-fried to achieve their characteristic crispy exterior and chewy interior. Baking isn’t recommended as it won’t produce the same texture or expansion.

How do I know when the sesame balls are cooked inside?

The balls will float to the surface during frying and expand in size. Frying for a total of about 15 minutes at controlled temperatures ensures the dough is cooked through and the filling is heated.