Sesame balls are a popular Chinese dessert that is made with glutinous rice flour, sugar, and sesame seeds. The balls are deep-fried and coated in a sweet syrup. They can be served plain or filled with red bean paste, lotus seed paste, or other fillings. In this blog post, we'll give you a step-by-step guide on how to make sesame balls at home. We'll also share some tips on how to ensure that your sesame balls turn out perfectly every time.

How to Make Sesame Balls at Home

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup glutinous rice flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • Cooking oil, for frying

Syrup Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

  1. In a large bowl, mix together the glutinous rice flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add in the water until you have a smooth dough. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it is soft and smooth.
  2. Place the dough on a floured surface and flatten it slightly into a disc shape. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup by bringing the sugar and water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens.
  3. After the dough has rested, break off a small piece and roll it into a ball between your hands. Roll the ball in the sesame seeds to coat evenly. Repeat with remaining dough, placing each rolled ball on a plate covered with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  4. Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the sesame balls to the pan and fry for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown all over.
  5. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Serve immediately with the prepared syrup on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

Note:

If you want to fill your sesame balls, you can use red bean paste, lotus seed paste, or other fillings of your choice. Just divide the dough into smaller pieces and flatten them into discs instead of one large disc. Fill each disc with filling, seal the edges by pinching them together, then roll the filled discs in sesame seeds and fry as directed.

Tips:

  • Be sure to use glutinous rice flour rather than regular rice flour when making sesame balls. Glutinous rice flour is a type of starch that gives the dough its chewy texture.
  • Make sure to use a small amount of oil when frying the sesame balls. This will prevent them from absorbing too much grease and getting soggy.
  • To ensure that the sesame balls are evenly coated in seeds, try tossing them lightly in the seeds before rolling in your hands.
  • If you want your sesame balls to be extra sweet, try adding a little bit more sugar to the dough when kneading it. You can also increase the amount of syrup used for dipping.
  • If you would like to save any leftover sesame balls for later, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes to refresh them before serving.
  • For a different twist, try rolling your sesame balls in matcha powder or cocoa powder instead of sesame seeds! They will taste delicious either way.
  • You can also try shaping your sesame balls into different shapes, such as flowers or stars. This will make them perfect for gift-giving or special occasions. Just be sure to roll the finished dough in a bowl of powdered sugar instead of sesame seeds.
  • Experiment with different flavor combinations by adding spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough, or try adding a pinch of dried ginger for extra zing. The possibilities are endless!

Want to know what is the best sesame oil? Check out our guide here!

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