Description
Sweet Potato Sesame Balls are a delightful Asian dessert featuring soft, chewy glutinous rice dough combined with sweet mashed orange sweet potatoes, rolled in fragrant white sesame seeds, and fried to a golden crisp. These bite-sized treats bring a wonderful balance of texture and subtle sweetness, perfect as a comforting snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mashed orange sweet potatoes
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons water (as needed)
- 1/2 cup white sesame seeds
- 3–4 cups neutral frying oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks, then steam or boil until very soft, ensuring they are cooked through. Drain them well to remove excess moisture and mash until completely smooth, creating a creamy base for the dough.
- Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed sweet potatoes, glutinous rice flour, and granulated sugar. Mix thoroughly until a soft and pliable dough forms. If the dough feels dry or crumbly, add 1–2 tablespoons of water gradually to achieve the right pliability.
- Shape the Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch diameter balls, pressing gently to smooth out any cracks or rough edges. This ensures the dough holds together during frying.
- Coat with Sesame Seeds: Pour the white sesame seeds into a shallow bowl. Lightly dampen each dough ball with water to help the seeds adhere, then roll each ball fully in the sesame seeds until evenly coated.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep pot or wok, heat the frying oil over medium heat to about 325°F (163°C). The temperature is important to ensure slow frying and crisp exteriors without burning.
- Fry the Sesame Balls: Fry the coated sesame balls in small batches, stirring gently occasionally. Cook them slowly until they float on the oil surface and are golden brown, which takes approximately 6–8 minutes. Avoid overcrowding to maintain oil temperature.
- Drain and Serve: Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried balls and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Allow them to cool slightly before serving. They are best enjoyed warm.
Notes
- Maintain a steady medium heat while frying to ensure crispier exteriors and prevent burning.
- Purple sweet potatoes can be used as a substitute; however, this will result in a slightly denser texture and a different color.
- These sesame balls are best served warm, but leftover ones can be reheated in an air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispiness.
