Jeff Misenti
February 13, 2026
Difficulty Level: easy
20 min Prep
30 min Cook
50 min Total
8 Servings
These delicious little sweet snacks work perfectly as a shared dessert or in a packed lunch. Known as sesame balls, or Jian dui, when cooked right, they look and taste bakery-bought.
The trick with these is to make sure the oil is hot and the rolled balls are tight, without cracking. You don’t want them to absorb oil, as they’ll become soggy and a challenge to eat.
If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s crispy with sesame on the outside and chewy in the middle, this recipe should be on your to-do list. Check out the ingredients and cooking steps below.
Sesame Balls Ingredients
- 1 cup of glutinous rice flour
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup of water
- 1/4 cup of sweetened red bean paste or lotus seed paste
- 1/2 cup of white sesame seeds
- Vegetable oil for frying
Sesame Balls Instructions
- Stir the glutinous rice flour and sugar together in a mixing bowl.
- Add the water a little bit at a time, mixing until a soft dough comes together.
- Knead for about 3 minutes, until smooth and flexible. If it feels dry, add water one teaspoon at a time.
- Divide the dough into 8 even pieces and roll each into a ball.
- Press each ball into a small disc and place about 1 teaspoon of the paste in the center, then pinch the dough closed and roll it back into a smooth ball.
- Spread the sesame seeds on a plate and roll each ball until well coated, press lightly so the seeds stick.
- Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry in batches so the pot isn’t crowded.
- Turn the balls so they cook evenly over 8 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve warm, or let them cool and eat throughout the day.
Nutrition
Calories: 220cal
Carbohydrate: 30g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: – -mg
Sodium: – -mg