Learn how to make homemade crispy sesame balls with this easy recipe from www.podiumrecipes.com. These golden jian dui filled with sweet red bean paste are perfect for Lunar New Year celebrations and dim sum spreads.
Crispy Sesame Ball
There’s something magical about biting into a perfectly crispy sesame ball – that satisfying crunch giving way to chewy, sweet interior filled with luscious red bean paste. These golden orbs, known as jian dui in Chinese cuisine or bánh cam in Vietnamese cooking, represent prosperity and good fortune, making them essential Asian sweets for Lunar New Year celebrations. This homemade recipe transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality fried dessert that rivals any dim sum restaurant. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering or simply craving these delightful chewy treats, this easy-to-follow recipe will have you creating golden, crispy sesame balls that burst with flavor and tradition.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Glutinous rice flour | 2 cups | Essential for chewy texture |
| Warm water | 3/4 cup | Helps activate flour |
| Sugar | 2 tablespoons | Adds sweetness to dough |
| Vegetable oil | 1 tablespoon | For dough consistency |
| Red bean paste | 1 cup | Store-bought or homemade |
| White sesame seeds | 1/2 cup | For coating |
| Vegetable oil for frying | 4 cups | Maintain 340°F temperature |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon | Enhances flavor |
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 sesame ball):
- Calories: 180
- Protein: 3g
- Carbs: 28g
- Fat: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 45mg
Makes approximately 16 sesame balls
Preparation Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Mix glutinous rice flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Gradually add warm water while stirring with chopsticks or a wooden spoon. Add vegetable oil and knead until smooth, elastic dough forms. The dough should be pliable but not sticky. Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Portion the Filling
Divide red bean paste into 16 equal portions, rolling each into smooth balls. This ensures even distribution when assembling your sesame balls.
Step 3: Shape the Balls
Divide rested dough into 16 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a 3-inch circle. Place one red bean paste ball in center, gather edges around filling, and seal completely. Roll between palms to form smooth ball.
Step 4: Coat with Sesame Seeds
Roll each ball in sesame seeds, pressing gently to ensure seeds adhere properly. This creates the signature coating that makes jian dui so visually appealing and texturally satisfying.
Step 5: First Fry
Heat oil to 340°F in deep pot or wok. Carefully add sesame balls in batches, frying for 2-3 minutes until they float and begin expanding. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Second Fry
Return sesame balls to oil and fry for additional 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The double-frying technique ensures maximum crispiness while maintaining chewy interior.
Step 7: Final Drain
Remove from oil and drain on paper towels for 2 minutes before serving. The crispy sesame balls are best enjoyed warm when the contrast between crispy exterior and soft interior is most pronounced.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these golden Asian sweets as the perfect ending to any dim sum meal or Chinese feast. Arrange on decorative platters alongside other traditional desserts for Lunar New Year celebrations. These fried dessert treats pair beautifully with jasmine tea or Chinese black tea. For modern presentations, dust lightly with powdered sugar or serve with small bowls of sweetened condensed milk for dipping. The chewy treats also make excellent snack ideas for afternoon tea or special occasions.
Pro Tips
Master the perfect sesame ball with these essential tips from experienced cooks. First, ensure your oil temperature remains consistent at 340°F – too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks, too cool and they absorb excess oil. When sealing the dough around red bean paste, eliminate all air pockets to prevent bursting during frying. For extra crispy results, let the first-fried balls cool completely before the second frying session. Store leftover red bean paste in refrigerator for up to one week, making it easy to prepare multiple batches of this beloved recipe.
Variations
Transform this classic recipe with creative variations and substitutions. Replace red bean paste with lotus seed paste, black sesame paste, or sweetened mung bean paste for different flavor profiles. For chocolate lovers, try Nutella or sweetened chocolate ganache as alternative fillings. Create savory versions using seasoned ground pork or mushroom filling for unique dim sum variations. Gluten-free substitutes work well – replace glutinous rice flour with sweet rice flour for identical results. Add food coloring to create festive colored sesame balls for special celebrations.
FAQ
Q: Can I make sesame balls ahead of time? A: Yes, you can prepare and shape the balls up to 4 hours ahead. Keep covered in refrigerator until ready to fry. The recipe maintains quality when prepared in advance.
Q: Why do my sesame balls collapse after frying? A: This usually happens when oil temperature is too high or there are air pockets in the dough. Maintain steady 340°F temperature and seal dough completely around filling.
Q: Can I bake instead of fry these Asian sweets? A: While traditional jian dui are fried, you can bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, though texture will be different from authentic crispy sesame balls.
Q: How long do sesame balls stay fresh? A: Store cooled sesame balls in airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore crispiness.
Q: What’s the difference between jian dui and bánh cam? A: Both are sesame balls, but bánh cam (Vietnamese version) often uses mung bean filling instead of red bean paste, while jian dui (Chinese version) traditionally uses red bean paste.
Conclusion
These homemade crispy sesame balls bring authentic Asian sweets traditions right to your kitchen. The combination of crispy exterior, chewy texture, and sweet red bean paste filling creates an irresistible fried dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating Lunar New Year or simply exploring dim sum recipes, these golden jian dui deliver restaurant-quality results with simple ingredients and techniques.
The recipe proves that creating professional-level Asian sweets at home is absolutely achievable with the right guidance and tips. From the first satisfying crunch to the last chewy bite, these sesame balls represent the perfect balance of textures and flavors that make dim sum cuisine so beloved worldwide.
Ready to try more authentic Asian recipes? Visit www.podiumrecipes.com for hundreds of tested recipes that bring restaurant favorites to your home kitchen. Share your crispy sesame ball creations in the comments below and let us know which variations you’d like to see next. Don’t forget to bookmark this recipe and explore our complete collection of Lunar New Year recipes and traditional snack ideas that will elevate your cooking repertoire.
