Sesame balls, also known as Jian Dui (煎堆) or Ma Tuan (麻团) in Chinese, are a traditional and popular Chinese dessert. These golden-brown treats are commonly found in dim sum restaurants and Chinese bakeries. Made with glutinous rice flour dough, filled with sweet red bean paste, and coated with sesame seeds, these sesame balls offer a delightful combination of crispy, chewy, and sweet textures. They’re a great way to enjoy this classic Chinese dessert at home!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 cups glutinous rice flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ⅓ cup sugar

• ¾ cup hot water

• 1 cup red bean paste

• ½ cup roasted white sesame seeds

• Oil (for deep frying)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix glutinous rice flour, baking powder, and sugar.

2. Gradually add hot water while stirring until a smooth dough forms.

3. Divide the dough into equal portions and roll them into dough balls. Flatten each ball with your palms.

4. Add sweet red bean paste to the center of each flattened dough ball, then roll it back into a round ball.

5. Dip each filled dough ball into water, then coat it in roasted white sesame seeds.

6. Heat oil in a deep pot to medium-low heat. Add the sesame balls to the oil while it’s still heating up.

7. Carefully fry the sesame balls until golden brown, turning them gently to ensure even cooking.

8. Remove the sesame balls with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.

9. Let the sesame balls cool slightly before serving and enjoy!

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: 319 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 26.4g

• Protein: 2.8g

• Fat: 23.4g

• Saturated Fat: 3.1g

• Sodium: 5mg

• Potassium: 552mg

• Fiber: 1.4g

• Sugar: 1.7g

• Calcium: 278mg

• Iron: 1mg

The Key Ingredients: Glutinous Rice Flour, Red Bean Paste, and Sesame Seeds

At the heart of sesame balls is the glutinous rice flour dough, which gives them their signature chewy texture. Glutinous rice flour, also known as sticky rice flour, is a crucial component in many Asian desserts and provides the chewy, slightly sticky texture that makes these balls so unique. Unlike regular rice flour, glutinous rice flour doesn’t behave like typical flour but instead creates a pliable dough that is easy to work with and perfect for frying.

The filling is made from sweet red bean paste, which adds a smooth, rich sweetness to the sesame balls. Red bean paste is made from cooked adzuki beans and sugar, resulting in a thick, sweet filling that perfectly complements the neutral flavor of the dough. The combination of the soft, chewy dough with the sweet, creamy red bean paste creates a balanced and comforting bite.

Finally, sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and a delightful crunch to the outer layer. Roasted white sesame seeds are used to coat the dough before frying, providing not only an aromatic flavor but also an appealing golden crust once fried. The sesame seeds add both visual appeal and texture, making each bite of the sesame ball a delightful experience.

Making the Dough: Soft, Chewy, and Delicious

To begin making sesame balls, you first need to prepare the dough. In a large bowl, combine glutinous rice flour, baking powder, and sugar. The sugar will provide the necessary sweetness, while the baking powder helps the dough to puff slightly when fried, giving it a light, airy texture.

Gradually add hot water while stirring the mixture to form a smooth dough. The hot water helps the glutinous rice flour to absorb moisture, creating a soft and smooth dough that is easy to work with. Once the dough is fully combined, knead it gently for a few minutes until it reaches a smooth and pliable consistency.

Filling the Sesame Balls: Sweet Red Bean Paste

Next, divide the dough into equal portions, rolling them into small balls. Flatten each ball gently with your palms to form a small disk, creating space for the red bean paste filling. The flattened dough should be just thick enough to contain the paste without breaking when rolled back into a ball.

Spoon a small amount of sweet red bean paste into the center of each flattened dough disk, and then carefully fold the dough around the paste. Pinch the edges together to seal the filling inside and roll the dough back into a smooth ball. This step requires a bit of care to ensure the red bean paste is completely enclosed within the dough, as any exposed filling could cause the sesame ball to burst during frying.

Coating the Sesame Balls: A Crisp Outer Layer

Once the sesame balls are filled, dip each one into a small amount of water to moisten the surface. This step helps the sesame seeds adhere to the dough. Then, roll each ball in roasted white sesame seeds, making sure to coat it evenly. The sesame seeds will stick to the dampened dough, creating a thin, crunchy layer around the ball that will crisp up perfectly when fried.

This step is key to getting that perfect texture on the outside, where the sesame seeds create a golden, crispy crust that contrasts nicely with the soft, chewy interior.

Frying the Sesame Balls: Crispy and Golden

Now it’s time to fry the sesame balls. Heat oil in a deep pot over medium-low heat. It’s important to fry the sesame balls at a lower temperature to ensure the dough cooks through without burning the sesame seeds. Carefully add the sesame balls to the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot.

Fry the sesame balls for about 5-7 minutes, turning them gently to ensure even cooking on all sides. The oil should be hot enough to make the sesame balls turn golden brown and crispy, but not so hot that they burn before the dough has fully cooked. As the sesame balls fry, they will puff up slightly, creating a light and airy texture inside.

Once golden brown, remove the sesame balls from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving, as the filling will be very hot right after frying.

Serving and Enjoying the Sesame Balls

Sesame balls are best enjoyed fresh, while they’re still warm and crispy on the outside. They are perfect for serving as a snack, dessert, or at any celebratory event. The crispy exterior and chewy interior make each bite satisfying, and the sweet red bean paste filling provides a comforting, nostalgic flavor.

These golden treats are often served alongside a cup of tea, which complements their sweetness and helps balance the richness of the fried dough. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or enjoying them alone, sesame balls are sure to bring a smile to your face.

Nutritional Information

Each sesame ball contains approximately 319 calories, with 23.4 grams of fat, including 3.1 grams of saturated fat. While sesame balls are higher in fat, the fat comes from the natural oils in the sesame seeds, which offer healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Each sesame ball also provides 26.4 grams of carbohydrates, 1.4 grams of fiber, and 2.8 grams of protein, making them a satisfying treat.

While sesame balls are not low in sugar, with 1.7 grams per serving, they remain a relatively balanced dessert option when enjoyed in moderation. They also provide some essential nutrients, including calcium (278 mg) and iron (1 mg), which support bone health and oxygen transport in the blood.

Conclusion: A Traditional and Irresistible Treat

Sesame balls (Jian Dui or Ma Tuan) are a classic Chinese dessert that brings together the perfect combination of crispy, chewy, and sweet textures. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion, a dim sum brunch, or simply to enjoy as an afternoon snack, sesame balls are sure to delight your taste buds. The golden-brown, crunchy exterior, paired with the soft and sweet red bean paste filling, offers a comforting and satisfying experience in every bite.

Making sesame balls at home is a rewarding experience, and they can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can easily recreate these iconic treats in your own kitchen, enjoying a piece of Chinese culinary tradition with every bite.