The Best Mochi Recipe (2024)

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Mochi: bite sized pieces of slightly sweet and oh so chewy goodness. Seriously the best desert type finger food around. Bet you can’t have just one! This is the best mochi recipe around.

Mochi, mochi, mochi. This Japanese confection has made it into the homes of so many people around the world and Hawai’i is no exception. This was one of my favorite treats as a kid and still is today.

Cost of living in Hawai’i is quite high and often a small tray of six pieces of mochi can run you $6-7. Say what? You are better off making a whole pan of it to enjoy and possibly share, if you feel like being a giver, for just about the same price.

This is your basic mochi recipe. You can add any flavor you wish. You can use powdered ingredients the matcha to make a green tea mochi or extracts like the popular ube to change its flavor. Stay tuned for other mochi recipes.

If you love mochi, check out these other mochi recipes

Mochi brownies
Red velvet mochi waffles
Mochi pancakes
Ube mochi waffles
Ube mochi
Mochi waffles
Ozoni (mochi soup)
Butter mochi
Poi mochi

What is mochi you might ask?

Mochi is a Japanese rice cake eaten year round, but is most popular during the Japanese New Year. It is made from mochigome, which is a short grained japonica glutinous rice. Traditionally this treat is made by pounding rice in to a paste and then shaping it. The pounding process of making mochi originated in China.

This recipe is a modernized version that uses mochiko flour and is sweetened which is called chi chi dango. Mochi is a popular treat in Hawai’i, especially on Girl’s Day (March 3rd) or Boy’s/Children’s Day (May 5th).

Here are some other mochi recipes that you’ve got to try

Butter mochi
Poi mochi

What do I need to make this mochi recipe?

Mochiko flour
Granulated sugar
Baking powder
Water
Coconut milk
Vanilla ( Check out this recipe for homemade vanilla extract)
Food coloring (optional)
Potato starch

What is mochiko flour?

Mochiko is a type of sweet glutinous rice flour, which I know is counter intuitive as it’s not sweet and also does not contain gluten. The word glutinous is used to describe the higher starch content. It works great in mochi recipes, recipes that require thickeners, and even noodles. I like to use the Koda Farms brand, but any brand will do.

Where can I find mochiko flour?

Mochiko flour can be found in your local grocery store in the Asian or baking aisle. Not to worry my mainland friends, once again, you can find this on Amazon as well.

Is this mochi recipe gluten free?

Yes! I know you’re saying but wait it has glutinous rice in it. Glutinous in this context is used to describe the higher starch content. So to all my allergy and intolerant friends this is the treat for you.

How about vegan?

You’re in luck again, it sure is!

Why is mochi covered in flour?

This recipe uses potato starch to coat the mochi pieces as plain mochi is very sticky and without this powder coating it will stick together.

How to store mochi?

Mochi is best stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days.

Can you freeze this mochi recipe?

For this recipe in particular, I would not recommend placing in the refrigerator or freezer. It will cause the mochi to harden and dry out.

How to make mochi (chi chi dango)?

https://youtu.be/Xb8UTdLJ95E

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a medium mixing bowl combine dry ingredients: mochiko flour, sugar, and baking powder, Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine wet ingredients: water, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and food coloring.

Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir to combine.

The Best Mochi Recipe

Relle Lum

Mochi: bite sized pieces of slightly sweet and oh so chewy goodness. Seriously the best desert type finger food around. Bet you can’t have just one!

4.58 from 224 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Equipment

Ingredients

1 box 16 ounce mochiko flour
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 cups water
1 can 14 ounce coconut milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon food coloring
potato starch

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F.
In a medium mixing bowl combine dry ingredients: mochiko flour, sugar, and baking powder, Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl combine wet ingredients: water, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and food coloring.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir to combine.
Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick spray, very important step do not skip. Pour batter in to baking pan and cover with foil.
Bake for 60 minutes or until the edges begin to pull away from the pan.
Once baking has completed allow to cool completely,
Dust your work surface with potato starch. Run a butter knife around the edge of the pan to help release the mochi from the pan. Invert pan on to work surface and allow the mochi to slide out of the pan.
Generously dust the top of the mochi with potato starch. Using a butter or plastic knife, slice mochi in to bite sized rectangles. Toss in potato starch.
Cool completely before cutting.
Enjoy!

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb8UTdLJ95E

Notes

*Mochi should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 201kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 2gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32g

Keyword baking, chi chi dango, cooking, dessert recipe, desserts, easy desserts, finger foods, gluten free, gluten free desserts, Hawaii food, Hawaiian food, japanese food, keeping it relle, kid friendly, kid friendly recipe, mochi, mochi recipe, vegan, vegan desserts

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FAQs

How is authentic mochi made? ›

So, how do you make mochi? Traditionally, mochi is made by pounding steamed short-grain Japanese sticky rice, called mochigome, with a wooden mallet during a ceremony called mochitsuki. This aerates and pulverizes the rice, which is what gives mochi its beloved texture.

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What is the best rice for mochi? ›

This year, I'm making mochi, which is always fashioned from glutinous sweet rice.

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Are mochi healthy for you? ›

When you combine rice and seaweed, mochi is low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol. It is also a good source of Vitamins A, C, E (Alpha Tocopherol), and K, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, and Phosphorus. It's also a very good source of Riboflavin, Folate, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, and Manganese.

Learn More Now ›

Is homemade mochi healthy? ›

Is Mochi Healthy? Mochi is a versatile and healthy snack, and was popular amongst rice farmers and Samurai for increasing stamina and for its convenient format. Mochi is one of the few carbohydrate sources that is packed with protein, and is free from cholesterol.

Explore More ›

What makes mochi chewy? ›

Glutinous Rice Flour

This ingredient is essential for mochi's signature chewy texture.

Is mochi healthier than ice cream? ›

The average mochi ball is about 100 calories. Whereas filling up a bowl of ice cream might equate to over 350 calories, a small 100 calorie snack won't throw off your weight loss goals. A small taste of indulgence will keep you motivated and happy throughout the day.

Read The Full Story ›

Is mochi healthier than donut? ›

They are a bit healthier than regular donuts, so that's something — (frequently gluten free) and lower in sugar. They have a crispy outside but surprisingly satisfying chewy center.

Who is the cutest mochi? ›

ARMY call Jimin “mochi” because of how cute he looks when he pouts. Jimin's pout makes his cheeks look soft and squishy like the Japanese sweet treat, rice cakes.

What are the disadvantages of mochi? ›

But Nikkan Gendai warns that consumption of mochi can also cause problems for people of any age. For one thing, not chewing it thoroughly before swallowing can result in its becoming impacted in the intestine. "The problem occurs within one day of having consumed the mochi," Ishihara said.

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What does mochi do to your body? ›

A little Mochi Ice Cream a day keeps the doctor away! The delicious and sweet treat provides your body with a handful of beneficial nutrients including bone-strengthening calcium, blood-pressure-lowering potassium, and energizing B vitamins.

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Can diabetics eat mochi? ›

However, just like rice, mochi is known to raise blood sugar levels. Therefore, if you are diagnosed with diabetes, take extra consideration when eating mochi. Consider eating vegetables and protein from the osechi before eating your ozoni as a tip to monitor your blood sugar levels.

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What is authentic mochi? ›

Mochi is a chewy, glutinous Japanese rice cake. It's made by using wooden mallets to pound the mochi. until it becomes sticky and chewy. Then Mitsu comes in and works the mochi by hand. until it has the perfect texture.

Tell Me More ›

What is original mochi filled with? ›

Mochi sweets or mochigashi (餅菓子) are traditional Japanese confectioneries made from glutinous rice, non-glutinous regular white rice, kudzu starch, or bracken starch. Many kinds of mochi sweets are stuffed with red bean paste, but there are some that do not include the red bean filling.

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Is real mochi frozen? ›

Mochi can be made into small bite-sized pieces and eaten in many ways. Freshly-made mochi will become hard over time, so to preserve it, the mochi is pre-portioned and dried or frozen to keep for up to a year. If you grill or boil it, it will return to its original stretchy and chewy consistency.

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Where is mochi originally made from? ›

The Origin of Mochi

The original pounding process of crafting mochi started with individuals in East Asia who used glutinous rice as the main ingredient to make the soft, flexible dessert.