RP
RecipePoolDiscover your next favorite recipe
  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About
Search
Browse
IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion

Main Navigation

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • About

Browse Faster

IngredientsCuisineDietMethodOccasion
Follow RecipePool on Pinterest
RecipePool

1,784+ tested recipes

Thoughtfully tested recipes, seasonal inspiration, and cooking guides to help you make something delicious every day.

Get weekly recipe inspiration

Explore

  • Recipes
  • Collections
  • Roundups
  • Seasonal
  • Products
  • Meal Plans
  • Guides
  • Ingredients

Browse By

  • Cuisine
  • Diet
  • Method
  • Occasion

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Recipe Testing
  • Privacy
  • Terms

© 2026 RecipePool. All rights reserved.

HomeSearchCollectionsSaved
  1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Dorayaki
Captured at a bustling market, a street vendor prepares traditional Japanese dorayaki snacks with care.

Fluffy Japanese pancake sandwiches with red bean filling

Dorayaki

Dorayaki

40 minEasy

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

15 min

Total Time

40 min

Servings

8

8 sandwiches

Difficulty

Easy

Cost

Budget

$

Be the first to rate this recipe
Share

Dorayaki

Fluffy Japanese pancake sandwiches with red bean filling

Two fluffy, honey-scented pancakes sandwiching a generous layer of sweet red bean paste. Dorayaki is a beloved Japanese wagashi confection and the favorite snack of a certain robot cat from the future.

15m

Prep Time

15m

Cook Time

40m

Total Time

8

Servings

Easy

Difficulty

Budget $

Cost

Japanese CuisineDessertSnackDairy-Free
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen

October 10, 2024(Updated April 13, 2026)

Dorayaki are the perfect balance of soft, springy pancake and sweet, earthy red bean paste. Their simple elegance and comforting flavor make them one of the most iconic Japanese sweets.

Why This Recipe Works

Adding honey and mirin to the batter creates the signature golden color and subtle sweetness. Resting the batter allows the gluten to relax, resulting in tender, fluffy pancakes.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 cup sweet red bean paste (anko)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Whisk eggs and sugar until pale and foamy. Add honey and 1 tbsp mirin.

  2. 2

    Sift in flour and baking powder. Mix until smooth. Rest batter for 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    Heat a nonstick pan over low heat. Pour 2 tablespoons batter into a round. Cook until bubbles appear on top.

  4. 4

    Flip and cook for 30 seconds more. Repeat to make 16 pancakes total.

  5. 5

    Spread a generous spoonful of red bean paste on one pancake, sandwich with another, and press gently.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

  • Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice

  • Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi

  • Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor

  • Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream

Substitutions

Red bean pasteNutella or custard cream

Non-traditional but delicious modern fillings

HoneyMaple syrup

Similar sweetness with a different flavor character

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Soy Sauce

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the pantry staple matters

This style of cooking leans heavily on a few foundational condiments. A better soy sauce is usually the fastest pantry upgrade to notice.

The savory base here starts with a more useful bottle, not another gadget.

  • Useful across marinades, stir-fries, and dipping sauces
  • Gives the final dish a fuller savory backbone

If this cuisine shows up regularly in your kitchen, soy sauce is one of the best-value pantry upgrades.

Shop soy sauce for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

  • Cook over low heat for even browning and that signature golden color.

  • Cover finished dorayaki with a damp towel to keep the pancakes soft and moist.

Storage

Wrap individually in plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for 2 days or freeze for 1 month.

Reheating

Briefly warm in a microwave for 10 seconds or enjoy at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (45mg) · 8 servings

Calories190
LowModerateHigh

A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein4g
Carbohydrates2g
Fat40g
Fiber120mg
Sugar2g
Sodium20g

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is anko?
Sweet red bean paste made from azuki beans. Available canned at Asian grocery stores.
Can I use other fillings?
Custard cream, matcha cream, or Nutella are popular modern variations.

Explore More

More Japanese RecipesMore DessertMore SnackDairy-Free RecipesStovetop Recipes
Sarah Chen

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

Some product links on this page may be affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate RecipePool earns from qualifying purchases.

Related Recipes

Sliced tamagoyaki showing spiral layers on a bento plate

Tamagoyaki

15 min

Sliced Japanese milk bread loaf showing fluffy white crumb

Japanese Milk Bread

185 min

Melon pan buns with crackled cookie crust on a baking sheet

Melon Pan

135 min

Bowl of Japanese potato salad with cucumber and ham

Japanese Potato Salad

40 min

Jiggly Japanese cheesecake with a golden top wobbling on a plate

Japanese Cheesecake

80 min

Stack of green matcha cookies with white chocolate chips

Matcha Cookies

57 min

You Might Also Like

Sliced tamagoyaki showing spiral layers on a bento plate
Gluten-FreeDairy-Free
Medium

Japanese

Tamagoyaki

15 min2 servings
View Recipe

Tamagoyaki

15 min•Medium
Sliced Japanese milk bread loaf showing fluffy white crumb
Medium

Japanese

Japanese Milk Bread

3h 5m10 servings
View Recipe

Japanese Milk Bread

3h 5m•Medium
Melon pan buns with crackled cookie crust on a baking sheet
Medium

Japanese

Melon Pan

2h 15m8 servings
View Recipe

Melon Pan

2h 15m•Medium
Bowl of Japanese potato salad with cucumber and ham
Easy

Japanese

Japanese Potato Salad

40 min4 servings
View Recipe

Japanese Potato Salad

40 min•Easy
Jiggly Japanese cheesecake with a golden top wobbling on a plate
Hard

Japanese

Japanese Cheesecake

1h 20m8 servings
View Recipe

Japanese Cheesecake

1h 20m•Hard
Stack of green matcha cookies with white chocolate chips
Easy

Japanese

Matcha Cookies

57 min12 servings
View Recipe

Matcha Cookies

57 min•Easy
See more Japanese recipes →