Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Sesame Balls, Quick And Easy!

how to cook frozen sesame balls in air fryer

Chinese sesame balls, also known as Jian Dui, are a popular pastry in China and Hong Kong. They are usually deep-fried, but an air fryer is a healthier alternative to achieve a similar result. The dough is made from glutinous rice flour and can be filled with sweet bean paste, peanut paste, lotus seed paste, or mung bean paste. The ball is then coated in sesame seeds and cooked until golden brown. This paragraph will discuss how to cook frozen sesame balls in an air fryer.

Cooking Frozen Sesame Balls in an Air Fryer

Characteristics Values
Preheat Air Fryer 320 F (160 C) for 5 minutes
Oil the Basket Brush the basket with oil
Temperature Start with 160 C, then increase to 176 C-200 C
Timing 15-20 minutes
Colour Golden brown
Texture Crispy on the outside, not too hard
Reheating 150 C for 3-5 minutes
Serving Best served warm and freshly cooked

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Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your sesame balls cook evenly and helps to maintain the shape and texture you want. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for frozen sesame balls:

Firstly, always preheat your air fryer before placing the frozen sesame balls inside. This is a crucial step as it helps to create the optimal cooking environment. Set your air fryer to the desired temperature, which can vary depending on your preference for a softer or crispier sesame ball. For a starting temperature to cook the dough, some sources suggest setting your air fryer to 160°C or 170°F, while others recommend 320°F or 350°F. The lower temperature is intended to cook the dough first, and then you can increase the temperature to get a golden, crispy exterior.

Secondly, while the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your frozen sesame balls. Brush them with a layer of cooking oil. This will help the sesame balls turn crispy and prevent sticking. Make sure to coat them evenly so they cook evenly in the air fryer.

Finally, place the oiled sesame balls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are at least one inch apart from each other. This is important as the sesame balls will expand during cooking, and overcrowding may affect their shape and texture. Now, you are ready to proceed with cooking your sesame balls in the preheated air fryer!

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Oil the air fryer basket

To cook frozen sesame balls in an air fryer, you'll first need to oil the air fryer basket. This is an important step, as it will help to ensure that your sesame balls don't stick to the basket and make them easier to remove once they're cooked.

To oil the air fryer basket, you can use a brush to apply a layer of oil evenly over the surface of the basket. Alternatively, you can use a cooking spray if you have one available. Make sure that the oil you are using has a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, or canola oil. This is important because the air fryer will be set to a high temperature, and you don't want your oil to start smoking.

When oiling the basket, be sure to use just enough oil to coat the surface lightly. You don't want to use too much oil, as this could make your sesame balls greasy. Once you've applied the oil, use a paper towel or a clean brush to wipe away any excess.

After oiling the basket, you can place your frozen sesame balls inside, leaving a little space between each one as they will expand during cooking. You can now proceed with the remaining steps to cook your sesame balls to crispy perfection!

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Cook in batches

When cooking frozen sesame balls in an air fryer, it's important to cook them in batches to ensure even cooking and browning. Cooking in batches also helps to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking and a less crispy texture.

To cook in batches, start by placing a single layer of frozen sesame balls in the air fryer basket or tray, making sure to leave a little space between each ball. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in two or more batches. Lightly coat the sesame balls with cooking oil to help them turn crispy and prevent sticking.

Air fry the first batch for the recommended time, typically around 15 minutes at 160-170°C (320-350°F). After the first batch is done, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside to stay warm while you cook the remaining batches.

Repeat the process for each subsequent batch, ensuring that you preheat the air fryer back to the recommended temperature before adding the next batch of sesame balls. It's important to allow the air fryer to come back up to temperature between batches for the best results.

By cooking the frozen sesame balls in batches, you ensure that each ball gets the proper amount of heat and attention, resulting in a delicious, crispy treat that's evenly cooked and golden brown.

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Flip the sesame balls

To cook frozen sesame balls in an air fryer, you will need to flip the sesame balls during the cooking process. Flipping the sesame balls will ensure even browning and help maintain their round shape.

It is recommended that you flip the sesame balls every 4-5 minutes using a silicone tong. The tong can also be used to shape the sesame balls slightly each time you flip them. Flipping the sesame balls is an important step as it ensures that they cook evenly and helps to prevent them from cracking.

If you are cooking the sesame balls in batches, you may need to flip them more than once to ensure even cooking. It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size and number of batches you are cooking. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the sesame balls are cooked through and have a golden crispy exterior.

When flipping the sesame balls, be careful not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave some space between each ball as they will expand slightly during cooking. This will also help ensure even cooking and prevent the sesame balls from sticking together.

Additionally, you can brush the sesame balls with a layer of oil before placing them in the air fryer to help them turn crispy and prevent sticking. However, this step is optional, and you can choose to omit it if you prefer a less oily dish.

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Reheat settings

To reheat frozen sesame balls in an air fryer, first, preheat your air fryer to about 150 degrees Celsius or 248 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, place the frozen sesame balls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded and have some space between each ball. Reheat for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the exterior becomes crispy. You can also reheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes.

It is important to note that the reheating time may vary depending on the size and number of sesame balls you are reheating. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook or burn. Additionally, if you prefer your sesame balls to be extra crispy, you can increase the reheating time by a minute or two.

If you are reheating a large batch of sesame balls, you may need to do it in batches to ensure even heating. Additionally, if your sesame balls have been frozen for a while, they may be a bit dry after reheating. To combat this, you can spritz them with a small amount of water before placing them in the air fryer.

For best results, it is recommended to reheat sesame balls that have been frozen in an airtight container. This will help prevent them from drying out or becoming stale.

Frequently asked questions

Preheat your air fryer to 320 F (160 C) for 5 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 350 F (180 C) and cook for another 15 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

It takes around 20 minutes to cook frozen sesame balls in an air fryer.

Brush the air fryer basket with oil before placing the sesame balls in it.

Place the sesame balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each ball as they will expand during cooking.

Reheat the sesame balls in the air fryer at 350 F for about 3-5 minutes or until the outside turns crispy.

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