The Theme is Green
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up, so you know we have to start with something green! To be honest, I don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, but I’m always down for a good theme and good food. Holidays are always fun because there’s usually a specific theme to work around, which inspires creativity and makes you think outside the box. Today, we have Matcha Mochi Waffles! While it’s definitely not the most traditional St. Patrick’s Day recipe, it’s a recipe that’s still on theme with its green color and true to the flavors I love.
Mixing Mochi
You may think that mochi waffles are more complicated to make than a standard waffle, but it’s actually very simple. The key is using mochiko flour. Mochiko flour is a glutinous sweet rice flour used to create mochi. It develops that chewy and bouncy texture associated with mochi when mixed together with other ingredients.
First, we’re going to combine our dry ingredients. Add the mochiko flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt to a bowl. The baking powder and cornstarch are going to give us that crisp outer edge and fluffy interior. Matcha powder is prone to clumping, so be sure to sift the matcha powder into the dry ingredients to remove any lumps. Then whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, milk and vanilla extract. Add the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients. Gently mix the batter together until smooth. You should have a beautiful green batter and may already notice that the texture of the batter looks thicker and almost stretchy.
Not All Waffle Makers Are Made Equal
Preheat your Belgian waffle maker according to the manufacturers directions. Spray the inside of the waffle maker with cooking spray. Scoop a portion of the waffle batter and spread it into the waffle maker. Cook the waffle until the edges are lightly crisp but still green and cooked through on the inside. I used a 7-inch round Belgian Waffle maker and found that 3/4 cup of batter was the perfect amount to fill it. I cooked the waffles for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on each side, which was perfect! The amount of batter needed and cooking times will vary depending on the size and temperature controls of your waffle maker, so be sure to keep an eye on the waffles and adjust the amount and time when necessary.
When the waffles have finished cooking, transfer them to a wire rack to cool for about 3 minutes. These Matcha Mochi Waffles are best served warm so that you have the contrast between the crisp outside and soft inside. What makes this recipe so special is that you can take it in any direction from this point on. You can serve it as a more traditional breakfast or turn it into a decadent dessert. I decided to serve mine with powdered sugar, whipped cream, strawberries, and maple syrup. Feel free to make this as simple or extravagant as you want!
Let me know how you would top your waffles and I hope you have a happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Try out some more matcha recipes below!
Matcha Mochi Waffles
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups Mochiko Flour
- ¼ cup Cornstarch
- 2¼ tsp. Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Kosher Salt
- 3 tsp. Matcha Powder
- 2 Large Eggs
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 cup + 2 Tbsp Whole Milk
- 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
- Powdered Sugar for topping (optional)
- Whipped Cream for topping (optional)
- Sliced Strawberries for topping (optional)
- Maple Syrup for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add in the mochiko flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and kosher salt. Sift in the matcha powder to ensure there are no lumps then whisk until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs together. Then mix in the granulated sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Pour the bowl of wet ingredients into the dry and whisk until a smooth batter forms.
- Preheat your waffle iron according to the manufacturers directions. Spray the inside with cooking spray and add in a portion of the waffle batter. For a 7-inch round Belgian waffle maker, I used ¾ cup of batter to make 1 waffle and cooked it for about 1½ – 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Try to gauge the best measurements and cooking time based on the size and temperature controls of your waffle maker. Remove the waffle from the iron and place it on a cooling rack while you prepare the remaining waffles.
- Allow the waffles to cool for 3 minutes to allow the mochi texture to settle. These waffles are best served warm and you can top them however you like! I topped mine with a dusting of powdered sugar, whipped cream, strawberries, and maple syrup. Enjoy!
