Red Bean Pancakes (Hong Dou Bing)
红豆饼
Crispy pan-fried pancakes filled with sweet red bean paste — a beloved Chinese snack and dessert. Crunchy outside, sweet and creamy inside.
📋 Ingredients
What Is Red Bean Pancakes (Hong Dou Bing)?
💡 Ingredient Notes: Red Bean Pancakes (红豆饼, hóng dòu bǐng) are a beloved Chinese snack and dessert — thin, crispy pan-fried wrappers stuffed with sweet red bean paste. The contrast of the crunchy sesame-coated exterior and the soft, sweet filling is irresistible. Sold at street stalls and bakeries across China, they're eaten as an afternoon snack, dessert, or breakfast. Making them at home is surprisingly easy — the dough is simple, the filling is ready-made red bean paste (available canned), and they cook in minutes.
Ingredients You'll Need
The Dough
- 200g all-purpose flour
- 100ml warm water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp oil
- Pinch of salt
The Filling
- 200g sweet red bean paste (红豆沙, canned)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds for coating
Cooking
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
📝 Instructions
Make the dough
Mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and oil. Knead for 5 minutes until smooth. Rest covered for 20 minutes.
Fill and shape
Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each into a circle. Place 1 tablespoon red bean paste in the center, gather edges, pinch shut, and flatten into a pancake. Press each side into sesame seeds.
Pan-fry
Heat oil in a flat pan over medium heat. Cook pancakes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. The sesame seeds should toast.
Serve
Serve warm. The filling will be hot — let cool for 2 minutes before biting. Crispy outside, sweet creamy inside.
💡 Pro Tips
- 💡Seal the pancakes tightly — any gaps will leak filling during frying.
- 💡Press sesame seeds firmly — they should stick so they toast, not fall off.
- 💡Don't overfill — too much paste makes them burst. 1 tablespoon per pancake is plenty.
📊 Nutrition Facts
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get red bean paste? Asian grocery stores sell it canned (look for 红豆沙). You can also make it from dried adzuki beans, but canned is much easier.
