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Mochi Waffle Recipe

Mochiko, also known as rice flour waffles or mochi waffles, are one of my favorite snacks.

They’re an easy-to-make treat that’s crisp on the exterior and chewy on the interior.

So if you’ve never tried these tasty treats before, here’s everything you need to know about making them at home.

And don’t worry, I’ll show you how to make them with all kinds of different toppings so they taste great no matter what your dietary preferences are.

What Is Mochi?

I’m not going to lie — this article isn’t very long because there aren’t too many words needed for describing mochi.

Instead, we’re just going to talk about its history, ingredients, and why it’s such a popular snack food in Japan.

“Mochi” translates to “glutinous rice.” This type of rice has more starch than regular white rice does, which makes it sticky when cooked.

The sticky texture of this rice can be used to create any number of desserts, but in this case, it gets combined with sweet glutinous rice flour into something that resembles doughy cake batter.

When the mixture cools down, it becomes hard like a solid block of cookie dough.

You then cut off pieces from that block and roll them out flat until they’re thin enough to become individual cookies that look like little pancakes.

Then you top those mochi waffles with whatever you want (like fruit preserves) and bake them in the oven.

When done, they have a light brown color and crunchy exteriors while being soft and moist on the inside.

Mochi Waffle Recipe

What Is A Mochi Waffle?

Mochi waffles are made from rice flour (also called glutinous rice) which has been ground into a powder.

The resulting texture resembles soft puffed rice balls.

Mochi is often used in Japanese confectionery like rice cakes and sweets.

You can find it mixed into savory dishes too.

When cooked, mochi turns out fluffy and slightly sticky.

These characteristics help create its unique chewiness when served hot.

The mochi waffle itself is crunchy on the outside while being chewy within.

It’s best eaten straight out of the oven but can be reheated, cooled down, or frozen for later use.

You will need:

  • 1 cup uncooked white rice
  • 5 cups water
  • 3 egg whites
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • Olive oil or cooking spray
  • Vegetable oil spray/cooking spray
  • Nonstick baking sheet
  • Cooking thermometer
  • Medium bowl
  • Spatula
  • Wooden spoon
  • Baking tray
  • Hand mixer
  • Waffle iron

First things first, let’s go over some basic steps to ensure success.

What Are The Ingredients In A Mochi Waffle?

A typical mochi waffle has three main components:

  • Mochi (glutinous rice) – Mochi is sticky when cooked, but softens up once it cools down.
  • You can find it in most Asian grocery stores.
  • Rice syrup or honey – These two things are used interchangeably for this recipe since both help create a light texture and prevent the mochi from becoming too gummy from cooking.
  • Milk – The milk helps keep the batter moist during baking, which translates into a moister finished product.
  • If you use soy, almond, or coconut milk instead of cow’s milk, your waffles will be slightly less dense than those made with regular milk.

There are some variations to this basic formula depending on where you live.

For example, if you’re using brown sugar instead of white sugar, you may want to add more salt to balance out the sweetness.

Also, depending on your region, you might have access to local produce like strawberries or blueberries, which would give your waffles extra flavor.

Mochi Waffle Recipe

How Do You Make A Mochi Waffle?

The first step when it comes to making mochi waffles is to create the batter.

The key ingredient in this batter is mochiko (also called rice flour).

You can find mochiko in Asian grocery stores, but you may have trouble finding it because it has a strange name that sounds like “mochi kowf”.

You can substitute regular white rice flour for mochiko, but since it doesn’t contain any gluten, it won’t be able to hold its shape during baking.

Mochiko is made from glutinous rice and contains more protein than other types of flours.

As such, it’s ideal for creating waffles and pancakes.

Next, add some milk powder and powdered sugar into the mixture.

Milk powder gives the waffles their signature soft texture while powdered sugar adds sweetness.

Then stir until you get a smooth consistency.

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grease a 9×13 inch pan and pour 1 cup of the batter onto each square.

Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the waffles over and cook another 10 minutes on the second side.

After the waffles cool down completely, cut them up into bite sized pieces and enjoy! Here’s what you should expect when eating a mochi waffle.

For the best results, use freshly baked ones.

If yours come out too hard, just pop them back in the oven for 5 minutes or so to soften them up again.

What Is The History Of The Mochi Waffle?

The origins of this delicious treat date back centuries in Japan, where it was originally used as a ceremonial offering for Shinto shrines.

The word “waffle” comes from the German word fällen, which means “to fall”.

So basically, a waffle is made by pouring batter into a pan set over direct heat (like a frying pan) until bubbles form throughout the batter, then flipping each side over after a few minutes.

Mochi waffles, however, use a special mold called kamaboko, which helps create a unique texture.

In addition to its religious significance, mochi has been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes.

Today, it’s still considered a healthy food because it contains high levels of protein, fiber, calcium, iron and other nutrients that help keep people strong and energized.

Mochi Waffle Recipe

How Did The Mochi Waffle Come To Be?

The word mochi means “sticky rice” in Japanese.

Although it sounds like a weird food, sticky rice has been around for centuries – even thousands of years ago.

The earliest record of sticky rice dates back to China, where it was used as medicine by Emperor Shen Nung during the second century B.C.E., according to Smithsonian Magazine.

Sticky rice can be made into several types of dishes, including cakes, desserts, and savory foods like sushi rolls.

However, when eaten plain, it tends to stick together because of its starch content.

That’s why it’s often combined with glutinous rice (or short grain rice), which contains less starch than regular long grain rice.

When cooked properly, glutinous rice becomes fluffy and soft, much more appealing than plain brown rice.

So this combination makes sense.

Once glutinous rice is added to the mix, people discovered it was easier to eat.

As a result, many cultures have adopted sticky rice recipes over time.

As far as we know, the first recorded use of sticky rice as cake batter came from Japan, although the exact date isn’t clear.

In fact, there are two schools of thought regarding who invented the dish.

Some say it originated in Kyoto, while others claim the creation took place in Osaka.

However, both cities boast plenty of restaurants serving delicious mochi waffles today.

If you want to try out either city’s version, head to Kyoichi Mochi Wafelbrouwerij in Kyoto or Matsuya in Osaka.

Both locations offer a wide variety of specialty waffled items, including chocolate waffles, banana waffles, and strawberry waffles, among other flavors.

But let’s get back to our topic at hand.

What exactly is a mochi waffle?

“Mochi” refers to sticky rice, while “waffle” describes the shape of the finished product.

A waffle is similar to a pancake but thicker and flatter.

You can find waffles at various Asian grocery stores, but the most popular ones are found at bakeries.

You may not think much about mochi waffles until you see them for sale at your local bakery.

But once you bite into one, you’ll realize you might just be addicted.

These crunchy discs are filled with sweetened glutinous rice pudding, usually topped off with powdered sugar, syrup, or fruit preserves.

Yum!

There are three main varieties of mochi waffles available worldwide: Japanese, Korean, and American.

Each country has its own unique spin on how to prepare it.

For example, in America, mochi waffles tend to be sweeter and softer than their counterparts in Asia.

In case you’re wondering where mochi waffles originated, I’m glad you asked.

Because it wasn’t Japan or Korea originally.

Instead, they were created in New York City’s Chinatown neighborhood in 1876 by restaurateur Charles Fong.

He began selling his fried egg sandwich, which included steamed buns stuffed with Chinese dumplings called dim sum, alongside a dessert he named after himself: mo chai kuey teow.

The name translates to “Chinese noodles.”

Fast forward almost 100 years later, and the original mochi waffles became popular in the United States thanks to the popularity of dim sum.

At the same time, Americans started experimenting with different ingredients to create new variations of the traditional mochi waffle.

Since then, there have been numerous attempts to develop a better mochi waffle recipe.

After all, nothing beats the authentic experience of biting into a freshly baked one straight from the oven.

What Are Some Interesting Facts About Mochi Waffles?

If you eat mochi waffles often enough, you may start wondering more about their origin story.

Here are a few fun tidbits about this popular Japanese dessert treat.

  • The first mochi waffle was created in Japan by a man named Takao Shimizu in the 1960s.
  • He was inspired after seeing a similar dish called “mochi cake” made from glutinous rice.
  • In the 1970s, it became popular for people to use mochi waffles as a base for ice cream sundaes, because they were able to hold up much better than traditional pancakes when used as a topping.
  • Since then, mochi waffles have become trendy around the world due to its versatility and ease of preparation.
  • They can even be eaten plain without any other ingredients added onto them.

Where do mochi waffles get their name?

You might wonder why mochi waffles are called that way.

The word “waffle” comes from “waifu,” which means “beloved woman” in Japanese.

Because of this common meaning, many people think that the word “waffle” refers to a female figure who has been loved.

However, mochi waffles got their name based off another reason entirely.

It’s actually derived from the words mochi (rice) and chikuwa (cake).

Mochi literally translates to “cooked rice,” while Chikuwa means “glutinous rice cake.” So basically, it’s just a delicious rice cake.

When combined together, the two words create the phrase “mochikkuwa,” which would mean something like “the cooked rice cake.” However, since most people didn’t understand the phrase, they started calling it “mochi waffle.”

Are There Any Health Benefits To Eating Mochi Waffles?

The short answer: yes.

In fact, mochi waffles have a lot going for them in terms of nutritional value.

For starters, they contain all five food groups: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

But because they’re made from ground glutinous rice (the same stuff we use to make sticky rice), mochi waffles are high in fiber, low in calories, rich in iron, and packed with protein.

You can eat them plain or top them off with various sauces, syrups, nuts, fruits, and berries.

But if you want to get super creative, check out our list of 20+ healthy mochi waffle recipes.

You might just find something new that tickles your fancy.

How many carbs are in mochi waffles?

A single serving contains 8 grams of sugar, which means it has less than half of the recommended daily allowance of added sugars per day.

That said, most people who enjoy mochi waffles will probably be able to consume more than one serving without feeling overly full.

One serving is equivalent to 3/4 cup cooked mochi, while two servings equal 1 cup each.

Is mochi waffle gluten free?

Gluten-free doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you.

The FDA says “gluten-free” foods must meet specific criteria set by the American College of Gastroenterology and the Celiac Disease Foundation, including being tested using a technique called ELISA.

These tests look specifically at the presence of gliadin, a wheat antigen that triggers celiac disease symptoms.

If you’d like to learn more about this topic, read our article explaining why you should avoid gluten-containing foods.

Are Mochi Waffles Vegan?

Yes! You can enjoy a delicious mochi waffle without having to sacrifice animal products.

In fact, most popular brands offer their own vegan versions of this snack food for those who prefer not to eat meat.

The main ingredient in traditional mochi waffles is glutinous rice flour.

Glutinous rice isn’t actually a grain but rather a type of grass seed native to East Asia.

The entire plant contains amylose, which makes it sticky when cooked.

That means that it will form long strands when mixed into dough like flour, resulting in a chewy texture similar to gluten.

This type of flour comes from various plants including barley, rye, wheat, and corn.

However, because glutinous rice is easier to digest than other types of grains, many people find it more palatable than others.

For example, some vegans avoid using soybeans since they contain phytic acid (a compound found naturally in legumes), while others may have trouble digesting quinoa due to its high amount of saponins.

As a result, it’s pretty common to see mochi waffles made out of either brown rice flour or tapioca starch instead of regular white rice flour.

Both flours tend to be less expensive than glutinous rice flour, meaning it’s possible to create a vegan version of mochi waffles without breaking the bank.

If you’d like to learn more about the history of mochi waffles, check out our article on how Japanese immigrants invented them in America.

What Is The Best Mochi Waffle Recipe?

There are several different ways to make mochi waffles, but this method from Food52 is by far my preferred choice for both ease of preparation and flavor.

The author suggests using a small amount of baking powder in place of some of the water to help prevent sticking issues, which works well when it comes to preventing the batter from setting up too much.

  • 1 cup unbleached white flour (I use King Arthur bread flour)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ tablespoon baking soda
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Vegetable oil spray
  • Sugar, powdered sugar, chocolate syrup, sprinkles, etc.

To prepare the batter, combine dry ingredients together in a bowl.

Make sure there aren’t any lumps because those will create holes during cooking.

Add wet ingredients into another bowl and mix until smooth.

Pour the batter onto a greased waffle iron and cook according to manufacturer instructions.

Once cooked, remove the waffles and top with whatever you want — like whipped cream, maple syrup, sprinkles, fruit preserves, etc.

Serve immediately while hot.

Mochi Waffle Recipe

Mochi Waffle

This simple recipe combines Belgian waffles and Japanese mochi. The ultimate home-cooked breakfast.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Mochi Waffle
Servings: 4 waffles
Calories: 102kcal

Equipment

  • waffle maker

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cups milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cup mochiko flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat the waffle maker.
  • Combine the milk, egg, and vanilla extract in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until everything is well combined. Place aside.
  • In a separate medium mixing bowl, combine the mochiko flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until everything is well combined.
  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients. Whisk until everything is combined.
  • Spray the waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray. Fill the waffle iron with 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the batter. Cook until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
  • ENJOY with your favorite toppings!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 85mg | Fiber: 0.003g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 134IU | Calcium: 151mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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