Sesame Balls In An Air Fryer: A Viable Option?

Sesame balls are a popular Chinese dessert, also known as Jian Dui, that can be made using an air fryer as a healthier alternative to deep frying. They are made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, water, and oil, and are usually filled with sweet bean paste, lotus seed paste, or peanut filling. The dough is coated in sesame seeds and fried to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior. When made using an air fryer, the balls are first cooked at a lower temperature to cook the dough and then at a higher temperature to achieve a golden crispy exterior.

The ingredients required

Sesame balls are a popular pastry in China and Hong Kong. They are made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, water, and oil, and are coated in sesame seeds. The following ingredients are required to make sesame balls in an air fryer:

Glutinous Rice Flour

This is a key ingredient that gives the sesame balls their signature chewy texture. It is available at Asian supermarkets or on Amazon.

Boiling Water

Use of boiling water is crucial for the sesame balls to expand. If the water is too cool, the balls will remain hard and dense.

Sugar

Sugar is added to the glutinous rice flour to sweeten the dough.

Raw Sesame Seeds

Raw, untoasted sesame seeds are preferred over toasted seeds as they are less likely to burn during the frying process, ensuring a golden sesame coating.

Vegetable/Cooking Oil

A small amount of oil is required for cooking. It is also used to create a smoother texture for the paste and to coat the mochi balls when air frying.

Additional Ingredients for the Filling

Common fillings include sweet lotus paste, black sesame paste, or red bean paste. To make the black sesame paste, ground black sesame seeds are mixed with honey and a small amount of oil to create a paste with a smooth, thick consistency.

How to make the dough

To make the dough for sesame balls, you'll need glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water. You can also add a pinch of salt, although this is optional. Boil the water and then pour it into the flour and sugar mixture, stirring with a spatula or spoon to combine. The dough won't be thoroughly mixed at this point, so once it's cool enough to handle, use your hands to knead it until it forms a smooth dough ball. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. If it feels dry, add a touch more hot water.

Once you have a smooth dough, you can start shaping it. Divide it into 6-12 equal pieces and roll each piece into a sphere. Take your chosen filling (red bean paste, black sesame paste, or another option) and divide it into portions the same number as your dough balls. Roll each portion of filling into a ball.

Now, take a dough ball and flatten it in your hand. Place a ball of filling in the centre and carefully bring the edges of the dough together, pinching them to seal. Repeat this process until all your dough and filling has been used.

Filling options

Sesame balls are a versatile treat, and you can fill them with various sweet and savoury options. Here are some popular choices:

• Red Bean Paste: This is one of the most common fillings for sesame balls, especially in China. The paste is made from red beans and has a smooth, creamy texture. It is often sold pre-made in Asian or Chinese grocery stores, but you can also make it yourself.
• Lotus Seed Paste: Another classic filling option, lotus seed paste, is similar to the filling found in some mooncakes but with a softer consistency. You can buy it pre-made or make your own.
• Black Sesame Paste: Black sesame paste is made from ground black sesame seeds and is a popular choice for those who prefer a nuttier flavour. You can make your own black sesame paste by mixing black sesame powder and honey.
• Peanut Filling: For peanut lovers, a simple filling of roasted peanuts and honey (with a pinch of salt to taste) is a delicious option. Just blend these ingredients together, and you're good to go!
• Mung Bean Filling: Mung bean paste is another traditional filling option. To make it, you'll need to soak and cook the beans before blending them with sugar and oil. This filling has a chunkier texture, but you can make it smoother by using husked yellow mung beans instead.
• Black Sugar Sesame Filling: This modern filling option is inspired by Taiwanese black sugar boba. It combines black sesame seeds with black sugar, resulting in a fruity and caramelly flavour. You can substitute black sugar with any unrefined sugar or dark brown sugar and add a touch of molasses.
• Cheese: While this may be less traditional, some modern variations of sesame balls include a cheese filling. This could be an interesting savoury option to try!
• No Filling: You can also choose to make your sesame balls without any filling. This results in denser balls with harder shells, but they are still delicious and a popular choice.

Cooking methods

Yes, you can make sesame balls with an air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine glutinous rice flour and sugar. The amount of flour and sugar may vary depending on the recipe, but a common ratio is around 3/4 cup of flour to 1/4 cup of sugar. Add boiling water and mix until fully combined. This step is crucial, as the hot water will help the dough expand during the cooking process, giving it that signature chewy texture. Let the mixture rest for a few minutes to cool slightly, then knead in the remaining dry ingredients. You can also add a small amount of oil to create a smoother texture. Once the dough is ready, cover it and let it rest for about 30 minutes.

Step 2: Make the Filling

The filling for sesame balls can be made with a variety of sweet bean or seed pastes, such as black sesame, red bean, lotus seed, or peanut. You can make your own paste by mixing the desired ingredient with honey or sugar and blending it into a thick paste. Store-bought pastes are also an option. Divide the paste into small portions and roll them into balls.

Step 3: Assemble the Sesame Balls

Divide the dough into equal portions, depending on how many sesame balls you want to make. A common number is around 8-12 balls. Flatten each piece of dough, place a filling ball in the center, seal the edges, and roll it back into a smooth ball shape. Make sure the dough is sealed properly to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.

Step 4: Coat the Sesame Balls

Brush each sesame ball lightly with oil, then roll them in a bowl of sesame seeds to coat the exterior. This step ensures that the sesame seeds stick to the dough and creates that crispy, nutty coating. You can use raw or untoasted sesame seeds, as they will toast during the cooking process.

Step 5: Cook the Sesame Balls

Preheat your air fryer to a lower temperature, around 160-170°C, to start cooking the dough. Place the sesame balls in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded, and cook for about 15 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 200°C and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the sesame balls are golden brown and crispy. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Tips for Success

• When preparing the dough, always use boiling water to ensure the dough expands and has the right texture.
• Use raw or untoasted sesame seeds to avoid burning.
• Make sure the filling is firm and not too soft or runny, as this can cause the sesame balls to burst during frying.
• If you want to prepare the sesame balls in advance, you can freeze them in an airtight container and cook them directly from frozen.
• Sesame balls are best served fresh, but you can reheat any leftovers in the air fryer to regain that crispy texture.

How to store and reheat

Sesame balls are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them for up to three days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them for up to three months.

To reheat sesame balls, you can use an oven, air fryer, toaster oven, pan, or microwave. Reheating them will help bring back their freshly-baked goodness and flavour. Here are some detailed instructions for each method:

• Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place your sesame balls about an inch apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown, checking regularly to avoid burning or over-drying.
• Air fryer/Toaster oven: Reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 7-8 minutes, or until the outside is crisp.
• Pan: Heat oil in a pan. Place the sesame balls inside and add a small amount of water. Cover the pan with a lid to trap moisture and keep checking to ensure even heating, adding more water if needed. Wait until golden brown on all sides, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Microwave: Place the sesame balls and some rice flour into a microwave-safe bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and heat at high power for 30-second intervals until hot.

Some other reheating methods include deep frying and steaming, but these require more attention to avoid overcooking or sogginess.

Frequently asked questions