Chinese Recipes

Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings

These soft and chewy glutinous rice dumplings are filled with sweet red bean paste and served with a light sugar syrup. Finished with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts, they offer a comforting combination of nutty, sweet, and sticky textures that make a perfect traditional dessert.

Total
20 minutes
Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings finished dish
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Quick Recipe Summary

Cuisine
Chinese
Category
Chinese Recipes
Method
Braising or simmering
Total Time
20 minutes
Difficulty
EASY
Main Ingredient
Adequate amount Glutinous Rice Flour

Introduction

These soft and chewy glutinous rice dumplings are filled with sweet red bean paste and served with a light sugar syrup. Finished with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts, they offer a comforting combination of nutty, sweet, and sticky textures that make a perfect traditional dessert.

This Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings recipe is written for Chinese home cooking, with attention to timing, texture, and the small cues that make the method easier to follow. Read through the ingredient notes and cooking tips before you start so the steps feel familiar once the pan, steamer, or pot is hot.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in about 20 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
  • Beginner-friendly enough for cooks who are still building confidence in the kitchen.
  • Gives the dish a clear sweet flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
  • Useful as a reference recipe because the steps explain both what to do and what to watch for.

Ingredients

  • Adequate amount Glutinous Rice Flour
  • Adequate amount Sweetened Red Beans
  • Adequate amount Water
  • Adequate amount Sugar
  • Adequate amount White Sesame Seeds
  • Adequate amount Black Sesame Seeds
  • Adequate amount Crushed Peanuts

Ingredient Notes

These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust without losing its Chinese home-cooking character.

Adequate amount Glutinous Rice Flour

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Adequate amount Sweetened Red Beans

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Adequate amount Water

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Adequate amount Sugar

A small amount of sugar rounds out saltiness and helps create a more balanced finish.

Adequate amount White Sesame Seeds

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Adequate amount Black Sesame Seeds

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer gently over low heat until the sugar dissolves and a light syrup forms.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 1: Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer gently over low heat until the sug

  2. Step 2

    Gradually add hot water to the glutinous rice flour, stirring continuously to evenly hydrate the flour.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 2: Gradually add hot water to the glutinous rice flour, stirring continuously to ev

  3. Step 3

    Mix until the flour resembles coarse crumbs.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 3: Mix until the flour resembles coarse crumbs.

  4. Step 4

    Knead into a smooth dough that is soft but not sticky.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 4: Knead into a smooth dough that is soft but not sticky.

  5. Step 5

    Pinch off a small portion of dough and roll it into a smooth ball.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 5: Pinch off a small portion of dough and roll it into a smooth ball.

  6. Step 6

    Repeat with another portion until all the dough is divided.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 6: Repeat with another portion until all the dough is divided.

  7. Step 7

    Press each dough ball into a small cup shape.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 7: Press each dough ball into a small cup shape.

  8. Step 8

    Place a spoonful of sweetened red beans in the center of each dough cup.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 8: Place a spoonful of sweetened red beans in the center of each dough cup.

  9. Step 9

    Seal the filling completely and roll the dough back into smooth balls.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 9: Seal the filling completely and roll the dough back into smooth balls.

  10. Step 10

    Continue shaping until all the dumplings are prepared.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 10: Continue shaping until all the dumplings are prepared.

  11. Step 11

    Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently add the dumplings.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 11: Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently add the dumplings.

  12. Step 12

    Cook until the dumplings float to the surface, indicating they are fully cooked.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 12: Cook until the dumplings float to the surface, indicating they are fully cooked.

  13. Step 13

    Transfer the dumplings to a serving bowl and spoon the prepared syrup over them.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 13: Transfer the dumplings to a serving bowl and spoon the prepared syrup over them.

  14. Step 14

    Sprinkle with black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, and crushed peanuts.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 14: Sprinkle with black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, and crushed peanuts.

  15. Step 15

    Serve immediately while warm.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 15: Serve immediately while warm.

  16. Step 16

    Enjoy the soft, chewy texture and sweet red bean filling.

    Sweet Red Bean Glutinous Rice Dumplings step 16: Enjoy the soft, chewy texture and sweet red bean filling.

Cooking Tips

  • Add the hot water gradually when making the dough, as different brands of glutinous rice flour absorb moisture differently. Keep the dough covered while shaping to prevent it from drying out. Serve the dumplings warm for the best texture.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
  • Pair it with one vegetable dish and one soup or tofu dish for a balanced Chinese meal.
  • Use the recipe card below when you want a quick cooking reference after reading the full notes.

Recipe Card

These soft and chewy glutinous rice dumplings are filled with sweet red bean paste and served with a light sugar syrup. Finished with sesame seeds and crushed peanuts, they offer a comforting combination of nutty, sweet, and sticky textures that make a perfect traditional dessert.

Ingredients

  • Adequate amount Glutinous Rice Flour
  • Adequate amount Sweetened Red Beans
  • Adequate amount Water
  • Adequate amount Sugar
  • Adequate amount White Sesame Seeds
  • Adequate amount Black Sesame Seeds
  • Adequate amount Crushed Peanuts

Method

  1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Simmer gently over low heat until the sugar dissolves and a light syrup forms.
  2. Gradually add hot water to the glutinous rice flour, stirring continuously to evenly hydrate the flour.
  3. Mix until the flour resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Knead into a smooth dough that is soft but not sticky.
  5. Pinch off a small portion of dough and roll it into a smooth ball.
  6. Repeat with another portion until all the dough is divided.
  7. Press each dough ball into a small cup shape.
  8. Place a spoonful of sweetened red beans in the center of each dough cup.
  9. Seal the filling completely and roll the dough back into smooth balls.
  10. Continue shaping until all the dumplings are prepared.
  11. Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently add the dumplings.
  12. Cook until the dumplings float to the surface, indicating they are fully cooked.
  13. Transfer the dumplings to a serving bowl and spoon the prepared syrup over them.
  14. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, and crushed peanuts.
  15. Serve immediately while warm.
  16. Enjoy the soft, chewy texture and sweet red bean filling.

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