Sweet Potato Mochi

Sweet and Savory Fall Snack - Japanese Sweet Potato Mochi

As the fall season rolls in, I find myself baking Satsumaimo (Japanese sweet potato) almost every week. This nutty, sweet root vegetable is a staple in our home, and I recently discovered a fun new way to use up the leftovers: Satsumaimo Mochi. This dish combines the natural sweetness of baked Yaki-imo with a savory, Mitarashi Dango-like glaze, creating a perfect balance of flavors. It's simple, delicious, and I’m sure it’ll be a new favorite for my kids!

RECIPE

Servings: 10-12 pcs

Time: 20 min (+ baking potato for 1 hour)

Ingredients:

2 small baked Japanese sweet potatoes (Yaki-imo)
2 tbsp potato starch
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp mirin
½ tbsp sugar
Butter (for frying)
Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the Japanese sweet potatoes for 1 hour, or until they are tender. Let them cool slightly before handling.
Peel off the skin from the baked sweet potatoes and mash them in a bowl until smooth. Add potato starch, sugar, and milk, mixing everything well. Once the dough is smooth, shape it into small, flattened rounds—about the size of your palm.
Heat a pan over medium heat and melt a small amount of butter. Add the potato mochi rounds to the pan and fry them until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Pour the sauce over the mochi in the pan and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, coating the mochi evenly.
Sprinkle the mochi with sesame seeds for a nice finishing touch. Serve warm and enjoy!

ingredients shopping

This recipe makes use of Japanese sweet potatoes, which are in peak season during fall. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up this dish in no time - very easy to make at home. Also it’s a kid-friendly snack as the soft texture and sweet-savory sauce will have little ones asking for Okawari (more)!

These mochi taste amazing on their own, but you can pair them with green tea for a true Japanese snack experience.