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Sesame Balls – Jian Dui Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 58 reviews

These traditional Chinese Sesame Balls, also known as Jian Dui, are golden, crispy, and delightfully chewy treats filled with sweet red bean paste. Made from glutinous rice flour, coated in roasted white sesame seeds, and deep-fried until crispy, they offer a perfect balance of crunchy exterior and soft, sweet interior. A beloved festive dessert and snack, perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough

  • 1.5 cups glutinous rice flour
  • 80 grams sugar (about 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp)
  • 100 ml water (about 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp), plus 10 ml more for adjusting
  • More glutinous rice flour for dusting

For the Coating

  • 1 cup roasted white sesame seeds
  • Water for dipping

For the Filling

  • Red bean paste (about 1 teaspoon per ball, quantity as needed)

For Frying

  • Oil for deep frying (enough to cover the sesame balls)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the small dough: In a small bowl, take about 2 tablespoons of glutinous rice flour and mix with approximately 15 ml water. Knead the mixture until it becomes a smooth dough.
  2. Cook the small dough: Bring some water to a boil in a pot. Drop the small dough into the boiling water and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until it’s cooked through. Prepare a bowl with cold water nearby to transfer the cooked dough immediately to stop cooking.
  3. Combine the doughs: Transfer the cooked small dough out of the boiling water and add it into the remaining glutinous rice flour. In a large bowl, mix the flour with sugar. Break the small dough with your hands and stir slowly while adding water gradually. Knead the combined mixture until a smooth and elastic dough forms. Adjust water if necessary.
  4. Shape the dough: Roll the dough into a long log and divide it into 20 equal portions. Shape each portion into a round ball.
  5. Fill the sesame balls: Flatten each dough ball in your palm, place about 1 teaspoon of red bean paste in the center, then wrap the dough around the filling, sealing completely to form a smooth ball again.
  6. Coat the balls with sesame seeds: Prepare two bowls, one with clean water and one with roasted sesame seeds. Dip each filled ball quickly into the water, then roll it in sesame seeds with your other hand. Press several times to ensure the sesame seeds stick well to the surface. Repeat until all balls are coated.
  7. Fry the sesame balls: Heat enough oil in a deep pan or wok to fully immerse the balls. Heat the oil to around 120°C (about 250°F), verified with a thermometer or by testing with a small dough ball. Carefully add the sesame balls into the hot oil. Reduce the heat immediately to low and deep-fry the balls slowly until they turn a light golden brown, ensuring they cook through.
  8. Drain and cool: Turn off the heat, transfer the fried sesame balls to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Allow them to cool for several minutes before serving. Enjoy the crispy, chewy, and sweet sesame balls warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • The temperature of the oil should be maintained low after adding the balls to allow the inside to cook thoroughly without burning the exterior.
  • You can substitute red bean paste filling with lotus seed paste or black sesame paste as preferred.
  • If the dough feels too dry, add water in small increments until it becomes pliable.
  • Make sure to press sesame seeds firmly onto the surface to prevent them from falling off during frying.
  • Glutinous rice flour is essential for the chewy texture; do not substitute with regular rice flour.
  • Store leftover sesame balls in an airtight container and reheat by steaming to regain their chewy texture.

Keywords: Sesame Balls, Jian Dui, Chinese Dessert, Glutinous Rice Flour, Red Bean Paste, Fried Dessert, Traditional Snack

Find it online: https://kitchenbyclara.com/sesame-balls-jian-dui-recipe/