The best mochi waffles have a lovely chewy texture on the inside & this recipe delivers. Mix up the homemade batter, fire up the waffle iron, and in less than 10 minutes you have perfectly crispy and chewy mochi waffles. Enjoy!
The mochiko waffle batter mix is an easy recipe that is great for breakfast, snacks, or as a sweet dessert. Just make cut up some fruit and make some oven-cooked turkey bacon and you have a complete meal.
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Ingredients for Mochi Waffles
The main ingredient in this Asian waffle recipe is a sweet rice flour known as mochiko. It is common in Hawaiian cooking too & I grew up loving it in baked goods.
- All-Purpose Flour - this gives a fluffy classic waffle texture
- Mochiko (sweet rice flour) - what makes mochi waffles chewy & slightly sweet.
- Salt - boosts the flavor profile overall
- Sugar - sweetens the mochi waffle batter
- Baking Powder - helps the batter rise while cooking in the waffler iron/maker
- Cornstarch - helps bind the waffle batter & ensures crispy edges & pockets
- Whole Milk - full-fat milk I find works best to hold up to the dense rice flour so it is thick & not a thin runny waffle batter.
- Vanilla Extract - added flavor
- Eggs - a classic waffle batter ingredient also needed here helps make the crispy edges & so they rise
See the recipe card for amounts & full instructions.
What is Mochiko?
Mochiko is a sweet rice flour that you can purchase at Asian markets or even online at Amazon Mochiko Flour that I use. It is a very fine flour and a bright white color compared to traditional wheat flour. It is gluten-free even though it is described as "glutinous".
Mochikoもち粉 is made from mochigome which is a glutinous short-grain Japanese rice. It is sometimes called Gyuhiko 求肥粉 or Daifukuko 大福粉 and is most commonly known for its sticky gummy texture. It is used for making mochi and in many Japanese pastries and desserts.
How to Make Mochi Waffles from Scratch
Making mochi waffle batter from scratch is an easy recipe mixed all in one bowl. It is best to use one with a pouring spout on the edge such as the one I am using, as seen below.
- Add dry ingredients: flour, mochiko, salt, sugar, baking powder, & cornstarch. Whisk to combine.
- Add the milk & vanilla - whisk again.
- Add eggs & final whisk until combined well.
NOTE: The mochi waffle batter will be thinner and more white in color than the regular waffle batter would be.
Best Waffle Iron for Cooking Mochi Waffles
We have a Belgian waffle iron in our house. The big deep chewy pockets of dough and crispy edges are exactly what you want - soooo good!
You can use a regular American waffle maker for these mochi waffles or even a bubble waffle maker. You do not need a special waffle iron for mochi waffles, whatever you have at home will do.
How to Cook Mochi Waffles
Pour the mochi batter evenly into the preheated waffle iron. For Belgian-sized waffles, cook for 4 minutes. A smaller or regular-sized waffle iron will cook in 3 minutes.
Serving Ideas
Enjoy these side dish & toppings that go well with mochi waffles:
Fun, simple, & gourmet topping ideas:
- Fresh Fruit & Whipped Cream
- Cooked fruits like sauteed bananas or stewed pears or fresh peach compote
- Chocolate chips & coconut flakes
- Ube or Pineapple spread
- Ice Cream - they make an amazing dessert and I had it in Hawaii this way - Banana Ice Cream or Mango Ice Cream is best!
Storing, Freezing, & Reheating
Uncooked batter can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Store cooked waffles in an air-tight resealable bag for up to 4 days in the refrigerator or 10 days in the freezer.
To reheat, warm, or toast in your toaster oven or regular oven.
NOTE: Mochi waffles will lose some of their delightfully chewy texture when frozen or reheated in the microwave.
FAQ
These waffles are sweet and savory. Mochi is more about the texture than the taste. They will be chewy and crisp vs fluffy and light like a regular American waffle.
This homemade recipe is not gluten-free. It does use rice flour but it also calls for all-purpose flour that contains gluten.
The combination of mochiko and the other ingredients should lend to a chewy waffle. Too much regular flour and not enough sweet rice flour or old rice flour can results in a dense waffle. Also, baking powder and cornstarch cannot be omitted when making mochi baked goods.
There are differences between baking soda & baking powder. They have similar uses but are not the same. When making baked goods like waffles, I recommend following the recipe & not making substitutions.
More Great Breakfast Ideas
Try these other family favorite recipes that are great to start your day:
Perfectly Crispy & Chewy Mochi Waffles
Equipment
- Belgian waffle iron
Ingredients
- ¾ C all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ C mochiko sweet rice flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ C granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 ½ C whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat your waffle iron.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl with a pourable spout, add the dry ingredients. Whisk together to combine evenly.
- Add milk and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth and no lumps are showing.
- Add one egg at a time and whisk until smooth.
- Pour batter into the waffle iron. Close the lid and let cook for 4 minutes if using a Belgian waffle iron. If using a small waffle iron, cook for 3 minutes.
- When the waffle iron is done cooking, remove each with a fork gently and plate. ENJOY!
- To store mochi waffles, keep in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm in the oven for best results.
Relle says
Mochi waffles are my favorite. Yum.
Beth says
Mochiko gives such a wonderful unique texture to waffles and these sound great. Love the suggestion to add matcha to them!
Angela says
Thank you, Beth. If you give them a try with the matcha please let me know what you think.
Cooking Coders says
Mochi waffles sound awesome! I cannot wait to give these a try with some fresh matcha in the morning.
Shikha says
I love waffles. Is there any other way we can make it without a waffle iron. I don't have one.
Angela says
Hi - I am not aware of a way to make waffles without a waffle iron unfortunately.
Sonila says
We've been making a lot of waffles for the kids recently!! I have to try the matcha one and already ordered mochiko flour . Hope my kids love them!
LaRena Fry says
Love mochi and love waffles. Love that they are crisp and soft. YUM
Jacqueline Debono says
I love waffles and these look really good. I'm not sure I can find mochiko here in Italy but am going to try ordering online so I can make these!
Angela says
Good luck finding and ordering the mochiko to make these waffles at home in Italy.
Dale Agbayani says
Hi! I had a hard time finding mochiko so I asked and the clerk suggested a package that said ‘sweet rice flour’. It was from Thailand and it worked out awesome! I’m from Hawaii so mochiko was used all the time for butter mochi. I tested out a bag in place of the box of mochiko and it turned out EXACTLY as always.
Angela says
Yes, mochiko is sweet rice flour. So glad you found what you needed and it worked out.
Deborah says
I have never heard of mochiko flour before. This is a great recipe for my gluten-free friends. I'll be sure to share it with them!
Angela says
Thank you for sharing.
Anindya Sundar Basu says
Wafles is a delight and who doesnt love waffles. Will try to make these at home at the earliest
Liberty says
SO Good! Not too chewy like boba or other mochiko recipes but still good.
Madeleine Cornwell says
Thank you for this recipe, which I used today. I modified it with substitution of my husband's homemade Bisquick mix, "flax egg " , and added hibiscus powder for additional flavor. OK, so I basically slaughtered your recipe, but that's kinda how I cook...getting ideas from other's recipes to make it my own. I'm sure I'm not the only one that plays with recipes 🙂 It turned out really good and I'm really enjoying the texture!
Angela says
Feel free to slaughter away. I am happy when anyone uses a recipe and enjoys it whether it is exactly as written or inspires something new. That is why I love to cook - it is artistic in many ways. Did you substitute the Bisquick mix for the regular flour and still use the mochiko? The mochiko is what really makes that chewy mochi texture so I am curious.
Madeleine says
Thank you Angela...my cooking is more like a lab experiment everytime! I substituted the "Bisquick mix" instead the flour in your recipe, and still used the amount of mochiko you specified. Yes, it was wonderfully crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.
Angela says
Thanks for sharing your cooking notes. Enjoy!
Sanjay says
Great recipe. They really are chewy and good. I made them Sunday and had the leftovers today.
Stephanie says
Made it for Father’s Day - it was a huge success! Wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but I substituted Oatly for the whole milk and used coconut sugar (1:1 sub). They turned out super fluffy and chewy. 100% would make it again!
Angela says
Happy Father's Day to your family. I am so happy these were a hit even with the substitutions.
sarahspectacular says
Made these this morning. They are neither very crispy nor chewy enough for me. They also start to deflate when they cool. I suspect they need a higher rice flour to wheat flour ratio and less baking powder. Adding some fat might help them crisp up more.
Angela says
I am sorry they did not turn out for you. Sometimes different brands of flours can give different results. Thank you for letting me know. I have made these a few times and this seems to be the texture that works for us so hopefully a slight adjustment may give you what you are looking for too.
Andrea says
These waffles look fluffy and crispy and just perfect! Great for a weekend brunch.
Lucy says
I love this unique take on waffles. These mochi waffles make the most delicious breakfast or dessert. They have such a sweet flavour and a perfect texture.
Angela says
I agree, they are sweet, chewy, crispy, and all-around yummy.
Biana says
These waffles look so crispy and delicious! Will be great with some berries and sauce.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
Those look amazing. I bet they taste heavenly.
Beth says
My family and I enjoyed these for breakfast the other day, and these are so delicious! Definitely making these waffles again. So yummy and fluffy!
Angela says
I am happy to hear you loved the mochi waffles.
Alex says
These came out really good! Thanks for sharing.
Angela says
You are welcome. I am glad you enjoyed the mochi waffles.
Nancy says
I felt like I was eating warm mochi with a very thin, crispy crust. Interesting texture. I think I would prefer some red bean paste in between layers of batter for a more traditional spin
Angela says
This is the exact texture that I love about this mochi waffle recipe - a chewy center and a crispy outer layer. I know many people love red bean paste and I keep trying it - maybe someday I will like it. Let me know if you try that added to this recipe since that was not the intent of the original recipe. Thanks for the comment.
Ro says
Do these freeze well?
Angela says
Hi - I have not tried freezing them. Like most homemade waffles, they likely will freeze well. The chewy and crispy texture may not hold up as well once frozen and reheated. The best way to reheat would probably be in a toaster oven or regular oven. Let me know if you try it and how it turns out.
Helen says
I was skeptical about not having any oil in this recipe, but it turned out really well.
Angela says
I am glad it worked for you and you enjoyed them.