Tiffany Haney
Takoyaki pans are a fun and convenient way to make Osaka's famous street food, takoyaki. These special pans are usually heated on a stove or electric coil and are made from cast iron or aluminium. Cast iron pans are heavier and take longer to heat up, but they retain heat better. Aluminum pans are cheaper, lighter, and respond faster to temperature changes. You can also get electric takoyaki pans that can be plugged into an electrical socket and used at the dinner table. Aside from takoyaki, you can use the pan to make other dishes such as Æbleskivers (a Danish treat similar to takoyaki), pizza balls, bubble waffles, and meatballs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foods that can be made | Takoyaki, Æbleskivers, Bubble waffles, Pizza balls, Taco-yaki, Meatballs |
| Use | Fun and convenient way to make Osaka's famous delicacy, Takoyaki |
| Heat source | Electric, Stovetop |
| Stovetop types | Cast iron, Aluminum |
| Cleaning | Wash with lukewarm water before and after use, use sponge or scrubbing brush, avoid detergent and metal scrubbers |
| Maintenance | Dry thoroughly, apply thin layer of oil, wrap in newspaper or paper |
| Accessories | Silicone gripper mitts, Wooden picks, Japanese chopsticks, Small spoon, Pastry brush |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza balls
Ingredients
For the pizza balls, you will need the following ingredients:
- Takoyaki batter (you can find recipes for this online)
- Chicken or veggie stock
- Diced pre-cooked sausage (pepperoni, Italian, or your choice)
- Dried oregano
- Cheese
- Marinara sauce
- Pesto
- Hot sauce
Method
First, prepare your takoyaki pan by heating and oiling the wells. You can use a pastry brush or a paper towel dipped in oil to grease the pan. Next, prepare your batter by substituting the dashi in a regular takoyaki batter with chicken or veggie stock. Fill the cups in the pan about 80% full with batter, as the batter will expand and you will also be adding fillings.
When you see bubbles in the batter, it's time to add your fillings. Add a few pieces of sausage, a sprinkle of oregano, and some cheese to each cup. Use skewers to turn the pizza balls 90 degrees. If they don't move easily, leave them for a little longer to crisp up. Once they're at a 90-degree angle, pour in a bit more batter to ensure a super round ball.
Cook the balls until they are crispy and brown, moving them around from mold to mold to ensure even cooking. As the balls crisp up, it will be easier to flip them. When they are golden and crisp, place them on a plate.
Toppings
Top your pizza balls with marinara sauce, pesto, more cheese, and a sprinkle of oregano. If you like spicy food, add some hot sauce. Enjoy your pizza balls while they're hot!
Tips for Using Your Takoyaki Pan
- Use a lot of oil to ensure the outsides of your pizza balls get crispy and are easy to flip.
- Use a small spoon to scoop and pour the batter into the pan.
- If you're handling a hot pan, consider investing in a pair of silicone gripper mitts.
- If you're using a cast iron takoyaki pan, move the pan around during cooking to ensure even heating.
- If you want to get creative, try making other snacks in your takoyaki pan, such as Æbleskivers (a Danish treat similar to pancake balls) or bubble waffles.
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Taco-yaki
Prepare the batter
First, prepare the batter by mixing dashi (soup stock), eggs, soy sauce, salt, and flour with a whisk. For taco-yaki, substitute the dashi with beef or chicken stock. Make sure there are no floury bits left in the batter. You can make the batter ahead of time and store it in the fridge, which will make the outsides of the taco-yaki crispier.
Prepare the fillings
Next, prepare the fillings. For taco-yaki, you will need cooked, taco-seasoned ground beef or pork, cheese, and chopped onions. You can also add other fillings of your choice, such as shrimp, chicken, or vegetables. Cut up the ingredients into small pieces that will fit into the takoyaki balls.
Heat the pan
Takoyaki pans are typically made of cast iron or aluminum and have half-spherical molds. Heat the pan with a generous amount of oil before adding the batter. You can use a brush or a paper towel dipped in oil to coat the pan. It is important to heat the pan well to prevent the batter from sticking.
Cook the taco-yaki
Once the pan is hot, pour the batter into the individual compartments, filling them up to the top. It is okay if the batter overflows a bit. Then, add the fillings to each mold. Cook until the edges of the taco-yaki start to look solid and opaque.
Flip and cook the other side
When the first side is cooked, use skewers to flip the taco-yaki 90 degrees. If they don't move easily, they may need more time to crisp up. Once they are at a 90-degree angle, pour in a bit more batter to ensure a round shape. Cook until the balls are crispy and brown, moving them around the pan to evenly cook both sides.
Toppings and serving
When the taco-yaki is cooked, brush them with takoyaki sauce and squeeze on some Japanese mayonnaise. Traditional takoyaki is also topped with dried bonito flakes (thin, dried, shaved fish) and aonori (green seaweed flakes). For taco-yaki, you can top with sour cream, salsa, or hot sauce for a taco-inspired twist. Enjoy your taco-yaki fresh out of the pan!
You can also use your takoyaki pan to make other creative dishes, such as pizza-yaki, ham and cheese-yaki, or even sweet treats like Æbleskivers (Danish apple bites). So, get creative and enjoy exploring the versatile world of takoyaki pan cuisine!
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Æbleskivers
To make Æbleskivers, you need to first season the pan. Coat the pan in a thin layer of vegetable oil and bake at 400 degrees for about an hour. The pan will turn from dark grey to brown and will be considered "seasoned". Once you are ready to make the Æbleskivers, preheat the pan. This is a crucial step as the batter will stick to the pan if it is not hot enough. Mix 3 eggs with 2 cups of water and stir in 2 3/4 cups of the mix. Heat the Æbleskiver pan on medium-low heat and coat it liberally with a neutral oil. Pour the batter into the molds, leaving room for toppings. Let the batter cook for a few minutes until the sides begin to set, then carefully rotate each round 90 degrees with 2 skewers. Continue cooking and rotating to form a ball that is golden brown on all sides and cooked through. The Æbleskivers are done when a toothpick comes out clean after being inserted in the middle.
You can serve Æbleskivers with syrup, jams, Nutella, or powdered sugar. They are best enjoyed hot but can be reheated in a toaster oven to regain their crispy crust.
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Bubble waffles
To make bubble waffles in a takoyaki pan, start by making an egg waffle batter. Prepare the pan by heating and oiling the wells. You can also use a BRUNO Hotplate with a takoyaki plate to cook the waffles. Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly with a spatula, making sure to cover the divots and flat areas. Once the batter is cooked, you can top it with sweet treats such as whipped cream, maple syrup, berries, chocolate chips, caramel drizzle, syrup, jams, Nutella, or powdered sugar.
If you are looking for a savoury option, you can also make egg bites or mini frittatas in a takoyaki pan. Simply crack a few eggs into the pan and add any desired fillings or toppings, such as cheese, vegetables, or meat.
Additionally, you can use a takoyaki pan to make meatballs. Prepare your meatball mixture and spoon it into the pan to create bite-sized meatball pucks. You can also roll your meatballs and use the shape of the pan to get them evenly cooked and browned on the outside.
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Meatballs
To make meatballs in a takoyaki pan, start by mixing your seasoned meat and rolling it into balls of the desired size. Next, heat and oil the wells of the takoyaki pan. Once the pan is ready, place the meatballs into the wells and cook until they are browned on the outside. You can use skewers or chopsticks to turn the meatballs and ensure even cooking.
When cooking meatballs in a takoyaki pan, it is important to note that the pan may have uneven heating. Therefore, it is recommended to move the meatballs around the pan to ensure even browning. Additionally, using a generous amount of oil will help to create a crispy exterior and make it easier to flip the meatballs.
For a unique twist on traditional meatballs, you can experiment with different fillings and flavours. For example, you can add chopped cooked ham, green onion, cheese, or chopped vegetables to your meat mixture before rolling it into balls.
With its convenient shape and size, a takoyaki pan can be a useful tool for cooking meatballs, allowing you to create evenly cooked and browned meatballs in larger batches.
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Frequently asked questions
A takoyaki pan is a round pan with half-spherical moulds used to make takoyaki, a famous delicacy from Osaka, Japan.
You can make Æbleskivers, a Danish treat that is similar to takoyaki but sweeter. You can also make pizza balls, bubble waffles, and meatballs.
Use a sponge or a scrubbing brush to clean the pan. Avoid using metal scrubbers as they can cause scratches on the surface, making the pan more susceptible to rusting. Do not use detergent when cleaning.
Heat the pan well before each use to stabilise the temperature and prevent food from sticking. Use a generous amount of oil to coat the surface of the pan. You can also cook scraps of vegetables on the pan first as the polyphenols in the vegetables will help prevent sticking.
Heat the pan to a high temperature until it smokes, then remove it from the heat and lower the temperature before adding oil. Use a lot of oil to make the outsides of the takoyaki crispy and easy to flip. Use a small spoon or ladle to scoop and pour the batter into the pan.
