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Stack of golden pan-fried Korean hotteok on a wooden board with one split open showing molten brown sugar filling

Korean Hotteok with Molten Brown Sugar Filling

Yeasted dough stuffed with brown sugar, cinnamon, and peanuts, pressed flat and pan-fried until golden and molten inside.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Snack
Cuisine: asian
Calories: 245

Ingredients
  

Dough
  • 250 g all-purpose flour / 2 cups
  • 25 g glutinous rice flour / 2 tbsp; sweet rice flour, adds chew
  • 12 g granulated sugar / 1 tbsp
  • 3 g instant yeast / 1 tsp
  • 3 g salt / 1/2 tsp
  • 180 ml whole milk / 3/4 cup; warmed to 110F/43C
  • 60 ml water / 1/4 cup; warm
  • 12 g neutral oil / 1 tbsp; such as vegetable or canola, plus more for shaping
Filling
  • 65 g brown sugar / 1/3 cup; packed
  • 2 g ground cinnamon / 1 tsp
  • 30 g roasted peanuts, chopped / 1/4 cup; or walnuts or sunflower seeds for nut-free
  • 1 g salt / pinch
For Frying
  • 45 ml neutral oil / 3 tbsp; more as needed between batches

Method
 

Make the Dough
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, glutinous rice flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
  2. Warm the milk and water to about 110F/43C, then pour into the dry ingredients along with the oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough in the bowl for 3 to 4 minutes until smooth and elastic. It will be tackier than bread dough, that's normal. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot for 60 minutes, until doubled.
Fill and Shape
  1. While the dough rises, mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, chopped peanuts, and salt in a small bowl for the filling.
  2. Punch down the dough and divide into 8 pieces, about 65 g each. Oil your hands well so the dough doesn't stick or tear.
  3. Flatten one piece into a 10 cm / 4-inch disk in your palm. Spoon 1 tbsp filling into the center, gather the edges up, and pinch firmly to seal into a smooth ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
  4. Let the shaped balls rest, seam side down, for 15 to 20 minutes while you heat the pan.
Pan-Fry
  1. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a 25 cm / 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 3 to 4 dough balls, seam side down, leaving space between them.
  2. Cook for 1 minute until the bottom sets, then press each one flat with an oiled hotteok press or the back of an oiled spatula to about 1 cm / 0.4 inch thick and 10 cm / 4-inch wide.
  3. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, adding more oil as needed, until both sides are deep golden brown and the sugar filling has melted. Work in batches so the pan isn't crowded.
  4. Transfer to a wire rack for 1 minute before serving. The filling stays molten and can burn your tongue if you bite in too fast.

Notes

  • Dough should double in size after 60 minutes in a warm spot.
  • Seal the dough ball completely or the syrup filling will leak out during frying.
  • Serve hotteok within 10 minutes of frying for the best crisp-to-chewy contrast.
  • Work in batches of 3 to 4 so the pan doesn't lose heat.