Best Vegan Mochi Recipe (and Easiest!) (2024)

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Are you craving a mouthwatering Vegan Mochi that’s as delicious as the regular Mochi? If the answer is yes, then this mochi recipe is just what you’ve been waiting for – the BEST sticky, chewy, and sweet vegan mochi made entirely from scratch right in the comfort of your very own kitchen!

You can easily customize it for mochi ice cream, strawberry mochi, or other mochi balls! Plus it’s gluten free and dairy-free!

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Vegan mochi is quite simple to make andworth all the effort. It may feel intimidating as it looks so fancy, but withour helpful tricks and tips, you’ll become an expert in no time. Once you learnhow to make vegan mochi you’ll be hooked!

What makes our recipe different is the flavor and texture of our mochi dough. The right ratio among ingredients is key to creating that smooth, sticky and chewy texture to be exactly like – if not better – than those you find at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. You can serve it with green tea or latte.

Smooth, sticky, and chewy exterior only to find soft and tender centers when biting into them. Perfect vegan mochi every time!

Ingredients You’ll Need

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  • Mochiko (or Shiratamako) – Note that they are different from the regular glutinous rice flour. You can find Mochiko in most Japanese grocery stores, or order it online from Amazon.
  • Sugar – You’ll need to use vegan sugar for this recipe. Here is one that you can use for this recipe.
  • Cornstarch – This ingredient doesn’t go into the mochi, but you’ll need to use to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.
  • Azuki Beans (Red Beans) – You’ll need azuki beans and sugar to make the red bean paste. They’re available at most Asian grocery stores or you can order them online.

You can add optional food coloringto spice up the mochi balls with a variety of colors.

How to Make Vegan Red Bean Paste

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Making vegan red bean paste is extremely easy: all you need is azuki red beans, vegan sugar, and water!

Add azuki red beans and water to a saucepan, boil for 5 minutes, and then discard the water. Add more water and bring to boil again, then cover with a lid. Simmer for about 1 hour until you can easily mash the beans with your fingers. Drain the water and add sugar. Stirring constantly until it reaches your desired consistency. (It’s best to make red bean paste ahead of the time.)

How to Make Vegan Mochi at Home

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1. In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together mochiko, sugar, and water. It’s important to whisk until everything is dissolved completely. (You can add food coloring to the mixture to spice up the mochi, and I used red in this recipe.)

2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap loosely. Microwave at full power for 2 minutes. Take it out and mix with a wet spatula. Cover and microwave for 30 more seconds until the dough becomes slightly translucent.

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3. Transfer the mochi dough onto the cornstarch-dusted parchment paper. Sprinkle more cornstarch evenly onto the dough.

4. Divide the dough into 3 to 4 equal parts and flatten each one into a circular shape. You can easily stretch the dough using your hands.

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5. Scoop out red bean paste and place it in the centre of mochi wrapper.

6. Pinch the four corners of the mochi wrapper, and then pinch the remaining corners together. Serve and enjoy!

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Tips for Making the Best VeganMochi

  • It’s best to prepare the Anko red bean paste ahead of the time andideally chill it in the refrigerator before making the mochi.
  • Make sure to use Mochiko flour or Shiratamako flour for this recipe. If you only have regular glutinous flour, you can make mango mochi instead.
  • It’s very important to mix all ingredients THOROUGHLY and make sure everything is completely dissolved. Otherwise, your mochi dough won’t have a smooth texture.
  • As the dough is very sticky, you’ll need to use a generous amount of cornstarch to prevent it from sticking, but make sure to coat it evenly in a thin layer of cornstarch so it’s not overwhelmed by the white cornstarch powder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does Vegan Mochi TasteLike?

Likeother mochi dessert, vegan mochi has a unique texture that’s sticky, chewy, andsweet. It’s incredibly delicious and addictive!

Can I Make Vegan Ice Creamwith This Recipe?

Yes, simply use the filling of vegan ice cream instead of the red bean paste.

How to Store Vegan Mochi andHow Long Do They Last?

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they can last for 2 days. The vegan mochi tastes the best on the day they’re made.

More Mochi Recipes You May Like:

Best Vegan Mochi Recipe (and Easiest!) (8)
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Best Vegan Mochi Recipe (and Easiest!) (11)

If you tried this recipe, let me know how your vegan mochi turns out in the comments below!

Best Vegan Mochi Recipe (and Easiest!) (12)

Best Vegan Mochi Recipe

Are you craving the best Vegan Mochi as delicious as the regular Mochi? If the answer is yes, then this mochi recipe is just what you’ve been waiting for! The BEST sticky, chewy and sweet vegan mochi made entirely from scratch right in the comfort of your very own kitchen.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Mochi Balls

Author: Izzy

Calories: 148kcal

Ingredients

Mochi Dough

  • 6 tablespoons Mochiko (or Shiratamako Sweet rice flour)
  • 2 tablespoons cane sugar (or any other vegan sugar)
  • 6 tablespoons water
  • 1-2 drops food coloring optional
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch for dusting

Vegan Red Bean Paste

  • 1/3 cup red beans
  • 1/3 cup cane sugar
  • water

Instructions

Make Vegan Red Bean Paste

  • Add rinsed red beans and water to a saucepan over medium high heat.

  • Bring the water to boil and cook for 5 minutes.

  • Then discard the water, leaving the red beans in the pan.

  • Add more water and bring to boil again, and cover with lid. Turn down the heat and let it simmer for 1 hour until you can easily mash the beans with your fingers.

Make Vegan Mochi Dough

  • In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together mochiko, sugar, water, and optional food coloring. It’s important to whisk until everything is dissolved completely.

  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or kitchen towel loosely.

  • Microwave at full power for 2 minutes. Take it out and mix with a wet spatula. Cover and microwave for 30 more seconds until the dough becomes slightly translucent.

  • Transfer the cooked mochi dough onto the cornstarch-dusted parchment paper. Sprinkle a thin layer of cornstarch onto the dough.

  • Divide the dough into 3 to 4 equal parts and flatten each one into a circular shape. You can easily stretch the dough using your hands. (If your dough is too hot, wait for a few minutes until it’s cool enough to handle.)

Assemble Vegan Mochi

  • Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of red bean paste and place it in the center of the mochi wrapper.

  • Pinch the four corners of the mochi wrapper, and then pinch the remaining corners together.

  • Tap the bottom of mochi with cornstarch. Brush the assembled vegan mochi with a brush gently to remove excess cornstarch.

  • Repeat this process for the rest of the dough and fillings. Serve at room temperate. They can be store in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Notes

  • It’s very important to mix all ingredients THOROUGHLY and make sure everything is completely dissolved. Otherwise, your mochi balls won’t have a smooth texture.
  • Avoid stretching the mochi dough too thin. Otherwise, it may tear easily.

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 59mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

Author: Izzy

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: Vegan Mochi

Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking

Best Vegan Mochi Recipe (and Easiest!) (13)
Best Vegan Mochi Recipe (and Easiest!) (2024)

FAQs

Is mochi suitable for vegans? ›

Absolutely! Traditional mochi, made with just rice and water, is vegan-friendly. It's the modern variations and flavors of mochi that may contain non-vegan ingredients. So, you can enjoy this delightful treat without any worries.

What is the difference between milk mochi and regular mochi? ›

Milk mochi is really just a starch thickened with milk and cooked into a chewy blob. I realize none of those descriptors sound particularly appetizing, so uh… let me try to explain a little more. Traditional Japanese mochi is made from pounding glutinous rice into a dense, chewy cake.

What makes mochi stretchy? ›

In addition to this, rice flour is still one of the most concentrated sources of Amylopectin and when ground into a fine powder, (called shiratamako,) it produces the best, (and stretchiest,) mochi.

How do restaurants 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.

Is Costco mochi vegan? ›

Costco Mochi Ice Cream is currently Bubbie's Non-Dairy Ice Cream Mochi. The flavors of Bubbie's Ice Cream Mochi at Costco change periodically. This non-dairy box is a plant based, vegan mochi, and it's also gluten free, non-GMO and Kosher.

Is Trader Joe's mochi vegan? ›

It's heavenly. But like many ice cream desserts, mochi can be more difficult to find in non-dairy form. Trader Joe's, however, has made dairy-free dreams come true by carrying vegan mochi.

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.

Is mochi a healthier dessert? ›

Mochi dough contains so few ingredients that it's easy to identify this concoction as being relatively healthy. Though it's made of glutinous rice, there's no actual gluten in the dough. It's low in cholesterol and saturated fat and high in vitamins and minerals, so it's definitely not a dessert villain!

Is mochi healthier than donut? ›

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

What is the secret of chewy mochi? ›

Mochi is traditionally made with glutinous rice flour, which is also known as sweet rice flour or mochiko. This type of flour has a higher starch content than regular rice flour, which gives mochi its characteristic chewy texture.

Can I use regular rice flour for mochi? ›

Regular rice flour is great for making gluten-free versions of your favorite baked goods, rice noodles, or for frying, but it is not suitable for making mochi.

What is a substitute for rice flour in mochi? ›

Tapioca flour is ideal if you're looking for a sweet rice flour substitute for baked goods. It can help create foods that require a chewy consistency, like cookies and brownies. Tapioca flour works in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute. You can also use it to make mochi at home.

What is the best rice flour for mochi? ›

To make chewy mochi treats, recipes often call for mochiko, Japanese-style dry-milled glutinous rice flour.

Is mochi good for you? ›

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.

Does my mochi have gelatin? ›

No. Mochi is made from a particularly sticky (when cooked ) type of rice. The uncooked mochi rice needs to be soaked overnight to let it absorb some water, making it easier to cook.

What is mochi made of? ›

Mochi is made of mochigome, a Japanese variety of sweet glutinous rice, that is soaked overnight, steamed, pounded into dough and molded into various shapes. Some sweet mochi confections contain fillings such as bean paste, ice cream or fresh fruit.

Is mochi made of tofu? ›

Traditionally, mochi is high in carbohydrates as it is made from rice, glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour. However, with this tofu mochi recipe, the addition of tofu (soybean curd) adds protein to an otherwise high carbohydrate food.

Is Strawberry mochi vegan? ›

Strawberry Mochi - The Korean Vegan. Desserts in our house consisted of rice cakes or mochi (when it wasn't just plain fresh fruit). You will often hear in my household, “It's too sweet!” So, we didn't grow up eating chocolate cakes or pies or other sugary pastries.

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