These black sesame mochi bites are chewy and delicious and super easy to make. They can be a baked version of Chinese nian gao for Lunar New Year, or they can simply be a snack or dessert for any occasion! These are also gluten-free and dairy-free! If you love mochi and the flavor of nutty sesame, you'll love these mildly sweet and delightfully chewy treasures!
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I am a big fan of mochi and I have come up with several baked mochi recipes. This is the latest and greatest recipe to the collection, but this time, I've been inspired by an Asian theme and opted to use black sesame as the main flavor! This recipe is also different from the others and other black sesame mochi recipes out there in that it does not contain any dairy, so more people can enjoy it!
Ingredients
- Black sesame powder
- Egg
- Honey
- Neutral flavored oil
- Water
- Glutinous rice flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Regular and black sesame seeds for garnishing
Exact ingredient measurements are in the recipe card below.
Instructions
In a mixing bowl (having a spout will be helpful) or large glass measuring cup, add the water, black sesame seeds, honey, egg, and oil. Whisk together.
Add the glutinous rice flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients and whisk together.
Pro Tip: Using a 1-quart measuring glass or a medium/large bowl with a spout to mix all the batter ingredients makes pouring the batter into the muffin cups incredibly easy. If you do not have a large enough measuring glass to make the batter, you can still pour from your mixing bowl or use a ladle or large spoon.
Whisk until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. It will have a gravy-like consistency.
Pour the batter into the paper liners in the muffin tin, dividing the mixture evenly among the 6 cups.
Top with some black and white sesame seeds.
Bake for 30 minutes in a preheated 325F/165C oven. Allow the mochi bites to cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before transferring to rack to cool completely.
The Mochi Will Deflate
The mochi bites will bake up rounded and puffy, just like regular muffins. When you remove them from the oven, they are going to slowly deflate...but don't panic! This is completely normal and while you're first instinct is to think you've failed, you haven't!
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I use regular rice flour? No. Regular rice flour is not the same as glutinous rice flour and will not produce the correct results.
Can I use milk in place of the water? Yes! You can substitute the water with milk or evaporated milk. You can also substitute the oil with unsalted butter.
Can I substitute the honey? The honey can be replaced by maple syrup or another syrup sweetener, or regular granulated sugar. Using granulated sugar creates a slightly thicker, drier crust compared to ones made with honey and extra milk will need to be added to create the right pouring consistency.
How do I store the mochi bites? Store them in a sealed container on the counter for no more than 2-3 days for the best results. They will become more dense after the second day and are still delicious, but if you would like them softer, simply warm them in the microwave for less than 10 seconds.
Can I refrigerate or freeze them? The mochi bites are best eaten within the first 2-3 days of baking. If you refrigerate or freeze them, bring them to room temperature and then reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften.
Pairings and Serving Suggestions
As I mentioned, these could be served as a baked version of nian gao to help ring in Lunar New Year. The nutty sesame flavor of these mochi bites would go really well with hot Chinese tea or Coffee Milk Tea.
Aside from the Asian influence with the black sesame, they would also go great paired with a regular cup of tea, coffee, or drinks like Ginger Honey Tea, Ginger Milk Tea Latte, or Cold Brewed Tea.
More Baked Mochi Recipes
If you love that chewy texture that mochi offers, here are some other recipes to check out! These are all easy to make and delicious!
As you can tell from the variety of baked mochi recipes I have written, I am a big fan of mochi and the different flavors I can create! These black sesame mochi bites are more Asian inspired with the black sesame and a perfect treat to celebrate the Lunar New Year, but they would also be delicious served any time of the year for any occasion!
~ Lisa.
Recipe
Black Sesame Mochi Bites
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 120 grams glutinous rice flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup water
- 40 grams black sesame powder
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 egg
- 10 grams extra light olive oil (or any neutral flavored oil)
For garnishing on top:
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven 325F/165C.
- Line your muffin tin with 6 parchment paper liners.
- In a mixing bowl (having a spout will be helpful) or large glass measuring cup, add the water, black sesame seeds, honey, egg, and oil. Whisk together.
- Add the glutinous rice flour, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients and whisk together.
- Whisk until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps. It will have a gravy-like consistency.
- Pour the batter into the paper liners in the muffin tin, dividing the mixture evenly among the 6 cups.
- Top with some black and white sesame seeds.
- Bake for 30 minutes. Allow the mochi bites to cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before transferring to rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Glutinous rice flour can also be called sweet rice flour. Mochiko is also a common brand of glutinous rice flour.
- Do no use regular rice flour as it is not the same as glutinous rice flour and will not produce the correct results.
- You can substitute the water with milk or evaporated milk. You can also substitute the oil with unsalted butter.
- The honey can be replaced by maple syrup or another syrup sweetener, or regular granulated sugar. Using granulated sugar creates a slightly thicker, drier crust compared to ones made with honey and extra milk will need to be added to create the right pouring consistency.
- Store them in a sealed container on the counter for no more than 2-3 days for the best results. They will become more dense after the second day and are still delicious, but if you would like them softer, simply warm them in the microwave for less than 10 seconds.
- The mochi bites are best eaten within the first 2-3 days of baking. If you refrigerate or freeze them, bring them to room temperature and then reheat in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften.
Thanks for stopping by! If you make this dish or any of my other recipes, I would love it if you could take the time to comment and rate it below. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Pat says
Hello,
I have black sesame seeds, can I grind them to a powder for the recipe?
Thank you.
Pat
Hi Pat! Yes, you can grind black sesame seeds to make the sesame powder. If you are using a food processor or food grinder, pulse the seeds until it resembles a sort of damp sand texture. Thanks for the question!