Homemade Mochi

Making mochi at home is easier than you think. With just a handful of ingredients you'll have chewy from-scratch mochi to enjoy. Try our matcha and ice cream variations for an extra special sweet treat.

small mochi balls with one cut in half showing bean paste filling Mochi
Photo: Katlyn Moncada
Prep Time:
15 mins
Freeze Time:
1 hr
Steam Time:
20 mins
Stand Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 45 mins
Servings:
12

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup purchased red bean paste (anko)

  • 1 cup sweet rice flour (mochiko)

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup cornstarch

Directions

  1. Spoon tablespoons of bean paste onto a parchment-lined tray or baking sheet. Cover and freeze for 1 hour. Shape into balls; set aside. In a medium heatproof bowl combine the rice flour and sugar. Stir in water.

  2. Place bowl in a steamer basket set over simmering water in a large pot. Place a kitchen towel over the bowl and add the lid. Steam for 20 minutes. (Or, cover bowl with vented plastic wrap and microwave on 100% power (high) for 3 minutes. Stir; cook 30 seconds more.)

  3. Sprinkle cornstarch over a work surface. Turn out dough over cornstarch. Let stand at least 10 minutes or until dough is cool enough to handle. Use cornstarch to dust your hands and top of dough. Lightly work dough with hands until it cools to room temperature. Divide dough into 12 pieces.

  4. Shape and flatten each dough piece into a round, using cornstarch to dust hands and dough as needed. Make an indent in the center of each. Place a ball of bean paste onto center of each round. Shape dough around filling into a smooth ball. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place up to 2 days. For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container.

Matcha Mochi:

Prepare as above, except stir 2 teaspoons matcha powder into rice flour before adding water.Nutrition analysis per serving: 130 calories, 2 g protein, 30 g carbohydrate, 0 g total fat (0 g sat. fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 11g total sugar, 0% Vitamin A, 0% Vitamin C, 6 mg sodium, 0% calcium, 0% iron

Mochi Ice Cream:

Prepare as above, except omit red bean paste and use small scoops of green tea, coconut, or vanilla ice cream. Store in the freezer.Nutrition analysis per serving: 117 calories, 2 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate, 2 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 13 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 7 g total sugar, 1% Vitamin A, 0% Vitamin C, 7 mg sodium, 1% calcium, 0% iron

Mochi with Nutella:

Prepare as above, except omit bean paste and spoon 1 tablespoon chocolate-hazelnut spread onto center of each dough piece. Shape as above.Nutrition analysis per serving: 185 calories, 2 g protein, 31 g carbohydrate, 6 g total fat (2 g sat. fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 15 g total sugar, 0% Vitamin A, 0% Vitamin C, 9 mg sodium, 2% calcium, 2% iron

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

128 Calories
30g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 128
% Daily Value *
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 5mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 2g
Calcium 1mg 0%

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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