This Hotteok Recipe is a tasty snack, dessert, or even breakfast!
One of these days I’m going to make it to Korea, where hotteok (pronounced ‘ho-tok’) is sold from carts on the street. But even though I can’t be in Korea for the winter games, I’m happy to enjoy this delicious treat in my own home!
What is Hotteok?
The chewy hotteok dough is fried in a little oil in a hot pan to make a golden crispy outer shell surrounding a cinnamony, hot, syrupy center laced with chopped walnuts. Hotteok actually reminds me a lot of what we call Utah scones or Indian fry bread since it’s basically a simple yeast dough made from flour, water, yeast and a little sugar, salt, and oil, then divided into individual portions and fried in hot oil until crispy and chewy. The main difference with these Korean sweet pancakes is that they are filled inside with a sweet filling, typically consisting of brown sugar, cinnamon and walnuts. I’ve read that you can find other varieties of hotteok though, filled with things like honey, peanuts, and even chocolate chips, although I’m doubting the authenticity of a chocolate filling in a Korean hotteok.
Hotteok pronunciation
The word “hotteok” (호떡) is pronounced as “ho-teok” where “ho” is pronounced like the English word “ho” but with a short “o” sound, similar to the “o” in “hot” and “teok” is pronounced like “tuhk,” where the “eo” is pronounced like a combination of the short “e” and “o” sounds.
Hotteok Recipe ingredients
Water Sugar Active Dry Yeast Vegetable oil Salt Flour Brown sugar Chopped walnuts Cinnamon
How to make Hotteok (Korean Sweet Pancake)
The dough is really simple to make and is traditionally made by hand, although I just used my stand mixer. After proofing the yeast in some lukewarm water with a little sugar, salt and oil, you will mix in the flour and knead for a few minutes until a smooth dough ball forms. After letting the dough rise for an hour, punching it down, and letting it rise another 20 minutes, the dough gets divided into 8 balls to make 8 individual hotteok. You will want to make sure you are working on a well floured surface, with extra flour for your hands because the dough is very sticky. Working with just one ball of dough at a time, you first flatten it out using your hands, then spoon about a tablespoon of the filling into the center of the disc. Then pinch the sides up all around the filling, enclosing it and sealing the filling into the center of the dough ball. Once all of the balls are filled, heat a large pan over medium heat and add a little oil so that it can get hot. It doesn’t need a lot of oil – just a couple of tablespoons is enough to fry the hotteok. Working in batches of 2 or 3 at a time, place each ball seam side down into the hot pan and let it cook for just 30 seconds or so, until the bottom is just getting lightly golden brown, then flip it over and press down using a large, flat spatula to create a wide circle. Cook for about a minute on the second side, then flip the pancakes over again and immediately cover with a lid and turn the heat down to low. Cook the hotteok for 1 more minute until golden brown on the bottom and the brown sugar is melted inside, then remove from the pan and serve hot!
How to serve this Korean Pancake Sweet Recipe
Hotteok is a delicious Korean street food that is typically served hot and sweet and eaten by hand. It’s best when it’s fresh and hot, right out of the pan. The filling inside will be molten and sweet, making for a delightful treat. You can customize your hotteok with different fillings or toppings to suit your taste. Some people like to add honey, chocolate, or even cheese to their hotteok. It’s a versatile snack, so feel free to get creative with your favorite flavors.
How to store a Korean Hotteok
Hotteok is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers you can let them cool completely before storing them. This helps prevent excess moisture, which can make them soggy. Then consider individually wrapping them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to help prevent them from sticking together and to maintain freshness. You can store hotteok in the refrigerator for 3-4 days to help keep them fresh. Make sure the container is airtight to prevent moisture from getting in. If you want to store hotteok for an extended period, you can freeze them. Wrap each hotteok individually, then place them in an airtight container or a freezer bag. Label the container or bag with the date for reference. Hotteok can be frozen for several weeks. Reheating: To reheat refrigerated or frozen hotteok, you can use an oven or a microwave. For frozen hotteok, you may need to let them thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Korean Recipes You Might Enjoy!
Korean Beef Tacos (Bulgogi) Oven Baked Korean BBQ Chicken Wings Korean Pancakes with Scallions (Pajeon or Pa Jun) Slow Cooker Korean Beef Short Ribs (Kalbi)
If you love these Korean sweet pancakes, you might also want to try our Aebleskiver | Danish Pancakes, Liège Waffles, or German Pancakes! Be sure to check out all of the other incredible foods representing many different countries that have been shared by my foodie friends who are also participating in our Food Blogger Winter Games! Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
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