A simple and delicious recipe for making traditional Japanese homemade mochi at home with just a few ingredients.
Mochi is one of Japan’s most beloved confections, known for its soft, chewy texture and subtly sweet flavor. Made from glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour, mochi has a unique consistency that’s both tender and pleasantly stretchy. While it holds deep cultural significance in Japan, especially during the New Year, it’s also enjoyed year-round in a variety of sweet and savory forms. Making it at home is a fun, rewarding process that results in a treat you can customize to your taste.
Traditional mochi is made by steaming glutinous rice and pounding it into a sticky dough, a process that requires both time and effort. At home, most people use glutinous rice flour, which simplifies the method while still delivering that signature chew. The dough is sweetened, cooked, and then shaped into small rounds or other creative forms. A dusting of potato starch or cornstarch keeps the pieces from sticking together.
One of the joys of homemade mochi is its versatility. You can enjoy it plain for its pure, delicate flavor, or fill it with sweet red bean paste, peanut butter, or even fresh fruit for a burst of flavor. Strawberry-filled mochi, known as ichigo daifuku, is a popular choice, pairing the mild chewiness of mochi with the juiciness of ripe berries. For those with a sweet tooth, chocolate or ice cream-filled mochi offers a delightful fusion of textures.
The experience of eating mochi is as much about texture as it is about taste. Its gentle sweetness makes it perfect alongside green tea, and its satisfying chew offers a comforting, almost meditative eating experience.
Making mochi at home also allows you to experiment with natural colors and flavors – matcha for a grassy, slightly bitter note, cocoa powder for a chocolate twist, or fruit purees for vibrant hues. Whether served as a dessert, a tea-time snack, or a festive treat, homemade mochi carries a charm that store-bought versions simply can’t match.
Chewy, soft, and endlessly adaptable, homemade mochi is a treat worth learning to make. It’s a small bite of joy with a big cultural heritage, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
- 1 cup glutinous rice flour (mochiko) You can find this at Asian grocery stores or online.
- 3/4 cup water Room temperature.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar Adjust to taste.
- 1/4 cup cornstarch For dusting to prevent sticking.
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe bowl, mix the glutinous rice flour and sugar. Gradually add water while stirring until smooth.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Microwave for 2 minutes on high.
- Stir the mochi mixture well, then microwave for another 1-2 minutes or until the mixture becomes slightly translucent.
- Dust your work surface with cornstarch, and turn the hot mochi onto it. Be careful as it will be very hot.
- Dust your hands with cornstarch and flatten the mochi to your desired thickness.
- Cut into pieces using a knife or scissors dusted with cornstarch.
Nutrition
What’s the point of making this? Just buy it at the store! Smh.
Making it yourself is way more fun and you can adjust the flavors! Store-bought just doesn’t taste the same.
This turned out too sticky for me, even after dusting with cornstarch. Maybe I did something wrong?
Eazy recipe! I like it a lot. Simple to follow. THANKS.
Ugh, my mochi turned into a rubbery lump. Is it supposed to be that sticky? What did I do wrong?
Mochi is life! But is it really gluten-free? It just feels like it shouldn’t be with the flour. 🤔
Yes, mochi is typically gluten-free since it’s made from glutinous rice flour. Just make sure to get the right kind (mochiko)! 🌾😊
Absolutely love this recipe! So easy to make and tastes great. Will definitely make again!
can u freeze mochi? my friends told me they do it. idk if it works really.
Yes, you can freeze mochi! Just make sure it’s well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn. I’ve done it before and it works just fine!
I added some food coloring to make it pretty, and the kids loved it! Such a fun activity.
I don’t know what I did wrong, but mine came out like glue. Very disappointed!
Super tasty, but too much sugar for my taste. Next time, I’ll decrease it. Overall, great!
I tried this recipe and it turned out great! The kids loved it!
Easy peasy!!! I love making this!
Mine was too sticky, how do I fix that? Gonna try again!
Maybe try adding a bit more cornstarch when you roll it out? I had the same issue but it helped!
Easy to make! I love it! First time trying and it was fun! My kids helped too, they were thrilled!
So glad you and your kids had fun making mochi! It’s such a great way to bond and create good memories together. I’ve made it a few times too, but I used food coloring once to make it festive! 🎉
Really? Easy? I tried it and it turned out like a sticky mess! I don’t know what I did wrong. I might stick to store-bought mochi next time. 🙁
Pretty good for a microwave recipe, but my mom’s stove top method is still the best.
Nah, stove top is where it’s at! This microwave stuff is not even close. Mochi needs that real cooked flavor.
I totally agree! My family has an old recipe that just can’t be beat. But this microwave version is super convenient when you’re in a pinch.
Mochi? More like mushy! I think the recipe need more detail. I ended up making a big mess. 😩
This mochi recipe is sooo good! I added some matcha powder for flavor and it turned out amazing! 5 stars!
I tried making this and it turned out amazing! So chewy and sweet. Will definitely make again!
Mochi? Isn’t that just for dessert? 😅
This is not authentic mochi! You guys should try the traditional way!
Sure you can make mochi at home! But I prefer the store-bought ones, they taste better.
I don’t know, my mochi didn’t come out right. It was too sticky. Does it always have to be microwaved?
I had the same issue! I found that letting it cool a bit before handling helped. And yes, I think microwaving helps with the texture too!
Lemme tell ya, if you want a sweet treat, this is it! Always a hit among my friends. Thank you for sharing!
I tried making mochi once and it was a sticky mess! 😅 You must be a pro at this, huh?
I’m glad to hear that! Mochi is so fun to make and eat. What flavors do you like to add?
Mochi? More like mushy!! LOL
LOL! I mean, it’s not for everyone, but I think mochi’s great! 😋
I dunno, mushy sounds kinda gross. Is it meant to be like that? 🤔
Wasn’t sure about the microwave method, but it actually worked! Just have to watch the time closely.
I’m so glad it worked for you! The microwave method is a game changer for mochi! Just be careful with the heat!
Really? Microwaving? I thought that was a no-no for mochi. I always steam mine, but maybe I should give this a try.
I tried making it with regular rice flour and it didn’t work. Sticking to mochiko next time!
Totally agree! Mochiko makes such a difference. Regular rice flour just doesn’t cut it for mochi!
I thought any rice flour would work. Guess I was wrong. What’s the difference with mochiko?
Wasn’t a fan 😕. The texture was off for me.
Yum! I filled my mochi with ice cream. Totally recommend!
Ice cream in mochi? Genius! I gotta try that! Is it hard to make?
This mochi recipe is so easy! I made it with my kids and they loved it!
I followed the recipe but forgot to add the sugar. Oops! It was kinda bland.
Can I use other types of flour? Not great at finding glutinous rice flour.
Why would u use microwave? I do it the traditional way. Steaming is better!
This recipe is a scam! My mochi became a gooey blob! 🙅♀️
I had the same issue at first! Maybe you didn’t microwave it long enough? It needs to get a bit translucent. Don’t give up! 🙌
Delicious! Make sure to dust well with cornstarch or it’s a sticky mess!
Totally agree! The cornstarch is key! I didn’t use enough last time and it was a disaster. But now I know!
Mochi is a bit tricky, but this was easy to follow. Thanks for sharing!
This is soooo fun to make! First time making mochi and it was awesome!