Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe
If you love treats that are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and bursting with delightful flavors, then the Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe is about to become your new favorite. These golden little orbs have the perfect balance of naturally sweet mashed sweet potato blended with glutinous rice flour, all encased in a crunchy coat of white sesame seeds. Whether you go for a surprise filling of red bean or lotus seed paste or keep them simple and pure, each bite offers a comforting, warm hug of texture and taste that feels like a special celebration for your palate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this recipe is wonderfully straightforward, yet each component shines through beautifully. Together they create the perfect flavor harmony and texture that make these sweet potato sesame balls an irresistible treat.
- Mashed cooked sweet potato (1 cup): Use orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for natural sweetness and vibrant color.
- Sugar (1/4 cup): Enhances the natural sweetness without overpowering the earthiness of the sweet potato.
- Glutinous rice flour (1 cup plus extra as needed): Key for that chewy, mochi-like texture that defines these balls.
- Water (1/4 cup, as needed): Helps you adjust the dough’s consistency perfectly—sticky but manageable.
- Sweet red bean paste or lotus seed paste (1/4 cup, optional): Adds a luscious, sweet filling that complements the dough beautifully.
- White sesame seeds (1/2 cup): Give a toasty crunch and eye-catching finish on each ball.
- Oil for frying: Vegetable or canola oil works best for that golden, even crispiness.
How to Make Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Start by combining your mashed sweet potato with sugar in a mixing bowl. Gradually add the glutinous rice flour while stirring gently. Your goal is a soft and pliable dough that feels just right—not too sticky, not too dry. If the dough resists coming together, add water cautiously, one teaspoon at a time. Alternatively, a dusting of extra flour can tame any stickiness too.
Step 2: Portioning and Filling
Once your dough is smooth and elastic, divide it into 12 equal portions. If you’re including the optional filling, flatten each piece, place about half a teaspoon of red bean or lotus seed paste right in the center, then carefully pinch the dough around the filling to seal and roll it into a flawless, smooth ball. If you’re skipping the filling, just roll each portion into a ball shaped by hand.
Step 3: Coating with Sesame Seeds
Pour your white sesame seeds onto a large plate and gently roll each dough ball in them. Press lightly to ensure the seeds cling well, creating a lovely, crunchy crust that’s bursting with nutty flavor once fried.
Step 4: Frying the Sesame Balls
Heat your oil in a deep pot to 325°F (160°C) to get that perfect frying temperature. Fry the sesame balls in small batches for 6 to 8 minutes, turning them occasionally to achieve even, golden browning. Watch as they puff slightly and develop that beautiful toasted exterior that makes them impossible to resist. Once cooked, transfer them to paper towels to drain excess oil and cool just enough to enjoy without burning your fingers.
How to Serve Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe
Garnishes
While these sesame balls shine on their own, you can elevate their presentation with a dusting of powdered sugar or serve them with a drizzle of honey for a sweet contrast. Fresh mint leaves on the side add a pop of color and a refreshing aroma that pairs wonderfully with the warm sesame and sweet potato flavors.
Side Dishes
Looking for complementary plates? These dessert bites pair deliciously with a cup of hot green tea or jasmine tea, balancing sweetness with floral notes. For a heartier spread, serve them alongside light fruit salads or coconut milk jelly for a playful texture contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, present your Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe in elegant bamboo steamers or on minimalist wooden platters for an authentic Asian-inspired feel. You could also thread them on skewers, sprinkled lightly with sesame seeds, for a fun finger-food experience that’s perfect for guests to grab and enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover sesame balls, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a day. For best taste and texture, it’s ideal to consume them fresh since their crispy exterior softens over time.
Freezing
To keep these delicious treats longer, freeze the fried sesame balls on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to one month, ready for a quick snack whenever you like.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy frozen or leftover sesame balls, reheat them in an air fryer or oven rather than a microwave. This method crisps up the sesame seed crust beautifully while warming the inside to that perfect chewy softness you adore.
FAQs
What makes this Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe different from other sesame balls?
This recipe uses mashed sweet potato as its base, which adds a naturally sweet, tender, and slightly earthy flavor along with a lovely soft texture, distinguishing it from standard sesame balls made solely with glutinous rice flour.
Can I make these sesame balls without filling?
Absolutely! The filling is optional and the sweet potato dough is delicious on its own. The plain versions highlight the lovely balance of sweet potato and toasted sesame seeds perfectly.
Is glutinous rice flour the same as regular rice flour?
No, they’re different. Glutinous rice flour has a higher starch content and creates the signature chewy and sticky texture essential for these sesame balls, unlike regular rice flour which results in a crumblier texture.
Can I bake the sesame balls instead of frying them?
While frying gives the most authentic crispy exterior, you can bake them. Just brush the balls lightly with oil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until golden, but the texture will be less crisp compared to frying.
Are these sesame balls vegan and gluten-free?
Yes! This Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe is completely vegan and gluten-free, making it a wonderful treat for many dietary preferences.
Final Thoughts
This Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe is a delightful treat that brings together the best of crispy, chewy, sweet, and nutty in every bite. Whether you’re making them as a cozy dessert for family or something fun to share with friends, these golden balls are guaranteed to impress and satisfy. Give them a whirl and watch these humble ingredients transform into pure, joyful magic!
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Sweet Potato Sesame Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 sesame balls 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Gluten Free
Description
Sweet Potato Sesame Balls are a delightful Asian dessert featuring soft, chewy mochi made from mashed sweet potatoes and glutinous rice flour, coated in crunchy toasted sesame seeds. These vegan and gluten-free treats can be enjoyed plain or filled with sweet red bean or lotus seed paste for an extra burst of flavor. Deep-fried until golden and puffy, they offer a perfect combination of crispy exterior and moist, tender interior.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potato (orange-fleshed)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour (plus more as needed)
- 1/4 cup water (as needed)
- 1/4 cup sweet red bean paste or lotus seed paste (optional filling)
- 1/2 cup white sesame seeds
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato and sugar thoroughly. Gradually add the glutinous rice flour while mixing to form a soft, pliable dough. Adjust the dough’s consistency by adding water teaspoon by teaspoon if too dry, or more rice flour if too sticky until it reaches a workable texture.
- Shape the Balls: Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. If using filling, flatten each portion into a small disc, place about 1/2 teaspoon of sweet red bean or lotus seed paste in the center, then pinch the dough around the filling to seal it completely. Roll each piece gently between your palms to form smooth, evenly shaped balls.
- Coat with Sesame Seeds: Spread the white sesame seeds on a plate. Roll each ball in the seeds, pressing gently to ensure the seeds adhere firmly to the surface, forming a uniform coating.
- Heat the Oil: Pour oil into a deep pot and heat it to 325°F (160°C). Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain the correct temperature to ensure even cooking and proper puffing.
- Fry the Sesame Balls: Carefully place the sesame balls into the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally with a slotted spoon or skimmer, until the balls are golden brown and puffed up.
- Drain and Cool: Remove the fried balls from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Let them cool slightly to allow the texture to set before serving.
Notes
- These sesame balls are best enjoyed warm and fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
- To reheat and maintain crispiness, warm them in an air fryer for a few minutes.
- Ensure to use glutinous rice flour, not regular rice flour, to achieve the characteristic chewy texture.
- If you prefer a filling-free version, the recipe works equally well without the sweet paste.
- Maintain oil temperature carefully during frying to prevent the balls from absorbing too much oil or burning.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
