This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.
These Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes) are a popular Korean street food made with a super simple yeast dough and filled with an amazing melt-in-your mouth mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon and walnuts.
These sweet Korean pancakes, or Hotteok, are not pancakes in the "want to drizzle syrup and butter all over them and eat them for breakfast" sense.
No, they are a very popular street food in Korea, commonly served during the cold winter months. Lightly browned on the outside with a gooey, melt in you mouth filling, these are the perfect treat to warm you up on a cold winter day (kinda like these Apple Puff Pastries or this warm Apple Crisp...yummmmm)
Me, I'll eat them any time. I don't care if its 120 degrees outside. I want these Hotteok.
Gooey, melted brown sugar and crushed nuts, delicious, chewy dough....that's what life is all about.
What are Hotteok?
Hotteok (or sweet Korean pancakes) are a very popular Korean street food (like this tteokbokki). Pockets of dough typically stuffed with a mixture of brown sugar, walnuts and cinnamon, they are delicious and ultra popular during winter.
Pan fried or deep fried to be slightly crisp on the outside and wonderfully gooey and melty on the inside, they really are the ultimate snack!
While typically sweet, they can also be made with vegetables, meats, or other savory items. I've included some options further down in the post.
Ingredients
Rice Flour is used to give the hotteok a slightly chewy texture. Buy rice flour (affiliate link).
Walnuts are used as part of the filling in this recipe, but you can also substitute with chopped pecans which are equally (and some may say better) good. Buy walnuts (affiliate link).
The recipe also calls for brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
The full list of ingredients in found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Step By Step Instructions
Start by combining the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mixing together.
The add the warm milk and butter and stir until a dough forms.
Cover and let sit in a warm place to rise for 1-2 hours.
In the meantime, mix the walnuts (or whatever nuts you choose), brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg together in a bowl and set aside.
Once your dough has risen (it should be about double the size), flatten it and separate into 8 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 3-4 inch circle.
Place 1 tablespoon of the filling in each dough circle and fold the dough up around the filling (see photos below).
Flatten the filled dough ball into a 3 inch pancake, being careful that none of the filling comes through.
Heat 4 tablespoons of cooking oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the pancakes and brown on both sides (about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side).
Add 1 tablespoon of water to the pan and cover with a lid. The steam and heat will help the filling melt fully.
Serve these suckers warm while the insides are still nice and gooey.
Variations for Hotteok
- Fill them with sweet red bean paste;
- Fill them with Nutella or chocolate chips;
- Replace the filling with peanut butter, peanut butter chips, or a mixture of chocolate and peanut butter;
- Fill them with fruit, jam or caramel;
- Make them savory by filling them with cheese, pepperoni, ham, roasted meats, curry, etc. etc. etc. The possibilities are endless!
Expert Tips
- Instant yeast should be used to allow the dough to rise quickly;
- The dough should almost double in size after rising;
- The dough should be just slightly sticky. Add additional flour if needed to form it into balls.
- Lightly oil your hands when stuffing the dough - it will help prevent it from sticking;
- Make sure all the edges are fully sealed before frying. Otherwise, the filling will ooze out.
- Hotteok are best served fresh and warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hotteok tastes like a pocket of slightly chewy, bready dough filled with gooey melted brown sugar and nuts. It's almost kind of like a cinnamon roll with crispy outsides.
I don't recommend it. They are best served hot so the sugar is warm and gooey and the dough is warm and chewy. However, technically it can be eaten cold, I just don't find it to be very appetizing that way.
You can make them in advance and store them in the fridge until ready for serving (up to 3 days). Reheat in a 350 degree oven until hot, about 10 minutes.
Yes! Wrap the Hotteok in plastic wrap then store in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. Reheat it in a 350 degree oven until warmed through, about 10 -15 minutes.
You can either reheat it in a little bit of oil on the stovetop, or just heat it in the microwave in 30 second increments until warmed through.
More Favorite Korean Recipes
- Korean Rice Bowls;
- Rabokki;
- Grilled Korean Beef;
- Pork Bulgolgi Tacos;
- Korean Beef Nachos;
- Tteokbokki (Korean Rice Cakes);
Browse ALL the Korean Recipes!
Did you make this Hotteok recipe? Leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out!
This recipe was originally posted in May 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.
Hotteok Recipe (Sweet Korean Pancakes)
Ingredients
Pancakes:
- 1 ¼ cups flour
- ½ cup rice flour
- 1 packet yeast
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup milk warmed
- 1 tablespoon butter melted
- 4 tablespoons cooking oil (for frying)
Filling:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 tablespoons walnuts chopped (substitute pecans)
Instructions
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the warm milk and butter and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough into a ball and cover to rise for 1-2 hours. Dough should almost double in size. TIP: leave to rise in a warm area.
- Once dough has risen, flatten it and divide it into 8 pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball and flatten it to about 4 inches wide.
- Place 1 tablespoon of filling in the center of each dough circle.
- Fold the dough up and around the filling and make a ball. Be sure that all the filling is surrounding by the dough.
- Flatten the balls into about 3" pancakes.
- Heat 4 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet.
- Add the pancakes and cook until golden brown on both sides (about 30 second to 1 minutes per side).
- Add 1 tablespoon of water and cover the pan with a lid. Cook for 30 seconds to allow the filling to melt.
Expert Tips:
- Instant yeast should be used to allow the dough to rise quickly;
- Dough should be placed in a warm (not hot) area to rise more quickly;
- The dough should almost double in size after rising;
- The dough should be just slightly sticky. Add additional flour if needed.
- Lightly oil your hands when stuffing the dough - it will help prevent it from sticking;
- Make sure all the edges are fully sealed before frying. Otherwise, the filling will ooze out.
- Hotteok are best served fresh and warm.
Nutrition
kim
I had never heard of these before seeing them here! I'm so glad I tried them. They turned out so delicious! Will definitely be making again!
Danielle
So glad you enjoyed them Kim!
Emily
Wow, I've never heard of these before but they sound absolutely delicious! Can't wait to make them.
Danielle
Hope you love them emily!
Kate
These look super yummy! I've never tried anything like this before but I can't wait to give it a go!
Danielle
Hope you get a chance to try them Kate!
Raia Todd
Oh. my. goodness. My kids will be in heaven. If I save them any...
Danielle
LOL!
Sara
These look amazing. I love the idea of stuffed pancakes and I am a sucker for walnuts in anything!
Danielle
Thanks Sara!
traci
Yayyyy! I've just added a new, favorite sweet tooth recipe for my collection. It's Korean comfort food dessert... Thanks for this winner! 🙂
Danielle
You're welcome Traci!
Eileen Kelly
Wow, these are just delicious. Your instructions are so easy to follow and the pics help to make the dough perfectly. The end result, mouthwatering!
Danielle
So glad you liked it!
Demeter
I can see why you love them so much! What a fantastic treat!
Danielle
Thanks Demeter 🙂
Liz
I don't know much about Korean food but these sweet pancakes look amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!
Danielle
You're welcome Liz!
Cathy
Danielle these look highly addictive! The gooey filling and warm dough is calling out to me! I cannot wait to try this! Planning on making them this weekend for sure!
Danielle
Thanks so much Cathy - I hope you love them!
Susan
Is there a way to make a gluten free version of the dough?
Danielle
Hi Susan - I apologize, I don't know much about gluten free cooking. I suppose you could replace the flour with a gluten free flour. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
Marvellina | What To Cook Today
I'm pinning this!!! I love hotteok a lot! I made a similar Chinese style pancakes like this before but haven't tried hotteok myself.
Danielle
I hope you like it Marv! They are so easy to make I got totally addicted!
Cheyanne @ no spoon necessary
These look absolutely incredible, Danielle, and that filling has me drooling! I could totally eat these for breakfast, brunch AND dessert! Cheers!
Danielle
Thanks Cheyanne! The filling was SO GOOD! I'm pretty sure I had these for breakfast and dessert 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine
Can't wait to try these! Dessert that you can carry with you. We are all about that! The concept of the dough and pan frying is very similar to our spicy beef bao so I know we are up for the challenge. Just pinned!
Danielle
Portable desserts are awesome! I finally took the plunge and made some dough....
Susie
Holy moly! I totally want to make these. You definitely make these look easy. I'm saving this recipe for my next brunch!
Danielle
Thanks Susie! They are totally easy - and I hate all things dough making.
Julia
I love tasting street food from around the world so thanks for the recipe!
Danielle
You;re welcome Julia! I hope you get a chance to try them.
Ashima
These sound like stuffed breads that we make in India, with a sweet filling! And that sweet filling sounds super delicious... nutmeg, cinnamon, and sugar with walnuts.. perfect winter recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Danielle
Ooooh I'll have to do some research on the stuffed bread you make in India. Sounds delicious!
Amy | The Cook Report
These look so delicious, I can't wait to try them!
Danielle
Thanks Amy! I hope you love them - watch out, they are addictive!
Demeter
These look amazing! You seriously have my sweet tooth in overdrive right now. I'm loving all of these photos. Thanks for including such thorough tutorial pics too! Amazing. 🙂
Danielle
Thanks Demeter! These will totally curb your sweet tooth 🙂
Kate | The Veg Space
Those look stunning - I've seen a lot of savoury Korean food but don't know much about sweet treats. What a beautiful roadside snack! Your step-by-step photos are really handy too. Thanks for sharing!
Danielle
Thanks Kate! I don't usually think dessert when I think Korean, but these little things are awesome! (and quite addictive)