Sticky Rice Balls with Peanuts

Sticky rice balls with peanuts are easy and fun to make and the perfect snack or dessert! Sweet, chewy, and generously coated with ground peanuts and toasted sesame seeds, they’re seriously addictive!

Every time I shop for ingredients at our neighborhood Asian supermarket, I always pick up a pack or two of sticky rice balls with peanuts, or what they call Tong But Luck in Cantonese, to go. I love snacking on these glutinous balls and can’t resist popping one after the other; they rarely make it home.

Sweet, chewy, and generously coated with ground peanuts and toasted sesame seeds, they’re ridiculously addictive!

Fortunately, I can satisfy my cravings without an inconvenient drive to the store as they are so easy to make and take just a few minutes to pull together.

Similar to our Filipino palitaw, they’re made by combining glutinous rice flour with water to form a dough, which is then shaped into balls and cooked in boiling water until they float. Instead of grated coconut, however, Tong But Luck is coated with ground peanuts for a delightful crunch and aroma.

Cooking tips

• I use a 1 cup of water to 2 cups of flour ratio which I find yields the chewy texture I like. The mixture will look dry at first but keep on mixing with your hands until it gathers into a smooth, soft, and pliable dough.
• Once the balls rise to the surface, they’re done. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the water right away to keep from over-cooking and drain well to prevent wetting the peanut coating.
• Let them cool just enough to touch and begin immediately to roll in the ground peanuts as they’ll coat better when still warm.

How to serve

• These glutinous rice balls are delicious as a midday snack or after-meal dessert. Pair with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for the ultimate treat!
• They’re best enjoyed at room temperature as they tend to harden when cold.
• If refrigerated, warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds or until softened.