Mochi Donuts Recipe (Mochisadas) (2024)

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These mochi donuts are the ultimate cultural fusion dish. Chewy mochi center, crunchy, golden brown exterior, all rolled in sweet sugar. The perfect finger food dessert for any occasion.

Mochi Donuts Recipe (Mochisadas) (1)

In typical Hawai’i fashion we have a cultural blend that creates the most delicious treat around. A little bit of Japanese mixed with a little bit of Portuguese and a whole lot of good.

Fry up these little bite sized pieces of goodness and you’ll be sure to attract a crowd. I mean it’s deep fried, so it has to be good right?

Mochi donuts take a blend of Japanese mochi and Portuguese malasadas, or better yet call it a mochisada.

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Japanese mochi is a sweetened rice cake popular for many special occasions in both Japan and Hawai’i.

Malasadas are a Portuguese deep fried donut rolled in granulated sugar and also a popular treat in Hawai’i.

Mix those two together and you’ve got yourself one amazing dessert.

Ingredients for mochi donuts

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  • 2 cups mochiko flour
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon butter, unsalted, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg

Let’s talk mochiko flour. Mochicko is a sweet rice flour that can be found in the Asian aisle at most grocery stores. This gives the mochi donut it’s characteristic chewiness. I would not recommend replacing this with traditional flour.

Next the sugar. Traditional malasadas are rolled in granulated sugar. This recipe calls for the same. You could roll the donuts in powdered sugar or even make a yummy glaze if you wish.

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One of the keys to this recipe is baking powder. This is not your typical yeast risen donut dough. It uses the power of leavening with baking powder, which cuts back on the prep time. That’s a win in my books.

And of course you can’t forget to add just a touch of vanilla extract. Try out my homemade vanilla extract recipe here.

What type of oil do I use?

I’d suggest using a neutral flavor oil like vegetable, canola, avocado, etc. The oil is heated to 350F when frying, so you can use most types of oil safely here.

Are mochi donuts gluten free?

Yes! Mochiko is naturally gluten free unlike many other flours. You’ll sometimes see it described as glutinous rice flour, but don’t let that fool you. Glutinous is used to describe the sticky, chewy consistency when cooked.

How to store mochi donuts?

These are best eaten fresh. If you manage to have some leftovers, place in an airtight container and store at room temperature.

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How long do mochi donuts last?

If stored in an airtight container the mochi donuts will keep for 2-3 days.

How to reheat mochi donuts?

As previously mentioned, these are best eaten fresh. If you did not toss the donuts in granulated sugar you can re-fry the donuts to bring back the crispiness. Another option would be to microwave, but this will not yield the original crispiness.

Can you refrigerate/freeze mochi donuts?

I would not recommend refrigerating or freezing already cooked mochi donuts. You can, however, refrigerate or freeze the dough once mixed for future use.

More Recipes for the mochi lovers

  • Chocolate butter mochi
  • Mochi brownies
  • Mochi pancakes
  • Ube mochi
  • Ozoni
  • Mochi
  • Butter mochi

How to make mochi donuts?

For the dry ingredients: To a large bowl add mochiko flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well combined and set aside.

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For the wet ingredients: Heat milk in the microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. To another bowl add heated milk, butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.

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For the dough: Add wet ingredients to the dry and begin mixing. Once the wet ingredients have just begun incorporating with the dry add the egg. Mix until well combined.

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Heat a pot with the cooking oil of your choice to 350F.

Using a small cookie scoop, carefully scoop and drop the dough into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

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Add about 1/2 cup granulated sugar to a small bowl.

Once the donuts have finished frying, remove from oil, and place in the bowl of sugar and toss to coat.

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Remove from sugar and place on a cooling rack to cool slightly and ENJOY!

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Mochi Donuts

Relle Lum

These mochi donuts are the ultimate cultural fusion dish. Chewy mochi center, crunchy, golden brown exterior, all rolled in sweet sugar. The perfect finger food dessert for any occasion.

4.61 from 213 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Desserts

Cuisine Local

Servings 28 pieces

Calories 57 kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • For the dry ingredients: To a large bowl add mochiko flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well combined and set aside.

  • For the wet ingredients: Heat milk in microwave for 45 seconds to 1 minute. To another bowl add heated milk, butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.

  • For the dough: Add wet ingredients to the dry and begin mixing. Once the wet ingredients have just begun incorporating with the dry add the egg. Mix until well combined.

  • Heat a pot with the cooking oil of your choice to 350F.

  • Using a small cookie scoop, carefully scoop and drop the dough into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

  • Add about 1/2 cup granulated sugar to a small bowl.

  • Once the donuts have finished frying, remove from oil, and place in the bowl of sugar and toss to coat.

  • Remove from sugar and place on a cooling rack to cool slightly and ENJOY!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 57kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 43mgSugar: 2g

Keyword asian food, desserts, donut holes, donuts, Hawaii food, keeping it relle, mochi, mochi donuts, mochisada, mochisadas, treats

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Mochi Donuts Recipe (Mochisadas) (12)
Mochi Donuts Recipe (Mochisadas) (2024)

FAQs

What flour does Mochinut use? ›

Made with either gluten-free tapioca flour or glutinous rice flour, Mochinut offers an alternative for those looking to avoid traditional wheat-based donuts. Some recipes are entirely gluten-free, making them accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing taste or texture.

What is a mochi donut made of? ›

Ingredients and Flavor

The main ingredients in mochi donuts are tapioca or rice flour. Some recipes call for all purpose flour as well. Other typical ingredients include eggs, baking powder, corn starch, and granulated sugar.

How long can mochi donuts last? ›

Donuts may be stored for up to 1 day at room temperature or up to 1 week in the freezer.

What is the difference between mochi and mochi donut? ›

Mochi donuts are a mix between American-style donuts and Japanese mochi and originated in Hawaii. Mochi donuts are typically circular, like an American donut, but are pieced together with eight small balls that can be pulled apart and come in many different flavors.

What makes Mochinut chewy? ›

Unlike American donuts, mochi donuts are made with rice flour. The rice flour makes mochi donuts stretchy and chewy.

Can I use rice flour instead of mochi flour? ›

This ground rice is used to make the bouncy, delicious mochi and rice cakes we've all come to love. Other rice flours, like plain rice flour and chapssal flour, can provide a similar chewy consistency as glutinous rice flour. So, they work well as substitutes.

Why is my mochi donut not chewy? ›

Tips for Making Mochi Donuts

It's important to keep stirring the dough over the stovetop until it becomes a ball to activate the “chewy.” This dough is very sticky and can also be piped instead of scooped and rolled.

Is mochi okay to eat? ›

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.

Are mochi donuts gf? ›

Our Mochinuts contain small portion of wheat flour, egg & milk powder, so it is not gluten-free, vegan, or dairy free. We hope to release those option in the future! Do your donuts contain nuts?

Can dried mochi go bad? ›

Store in a dark place with low humidity, like a pantry. It has a shelf life of several months as it is vacuumed packed, or packed with a deoxidizer. Dried mochi can be preserved for a few days at normal temperature during Japanese winter but can get moldy if left out for too long.

Do mochi donuts freeze? ›

It's a bit like freezing a regular donut. The magic of a mochi donut (and a regular donut, for that matter) lies in its texture. If you freeze the mochi donuts and bring them back to room temperature for serving, it will no longer have it signature crispy exterior. Furthermore, the glaze will be a sticky, wet mess!

Can mochi donuts be eaten next day? ›

How long are the mochi doughnuts and mochi cookies good for? We always recommend eating them fresh the same day.

How healthy are mochi donuts? ›

They are a bit healthier than regular donuts, so that's something — (frequently gluten free) and lower in sugar.

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.

Why are mochi donuts so good? ›

The Takeout noted that "mochi doughnuts have a crispy exterior, due to being fried or baked, and a chewy interior thanks to the use of" mochiko sweet rice flour and that "some recipes are gluten free, since they use rice or tapioca flour rather than the conventional wheat variety".

What kind of rice flour is used in mochi? ›

Make sure to get glutinous rice flour (mochigome) instead of regular rice flour. This ingredient is essential for mochi's signature chewy texture. Green tea powder (or matcha) has a complex, earthy flavor that works well with mochi.

What type of flour is glutinous rice flour? ›

Glutinous Rice Flour is also known as sweet rice flour or sweet rice powder, this flour is made from short-grain rice that becomes moist, firm and sticky when cooked, a result of its higher proportion of waxy starch molecules.

What kind of flour is used in doughnuts? ›

Flour: All-purpose flour is the dough's structure. You'll be tempted to add more and more flour as you mix the dough, but don't. You want a very soft, pillowy dough for soft, pillowy doughnuts.

Which kind of flour is glutinous? ›

Glutinous rice flour, also known as sweet rice flour, is ground from long- or short-grain glutinous rice (aka sticky rice). But, it's not sweet and it does not contain gluten.

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