How to Grill Kiri Mochi (Yakimochi Recipe)

Instructions

1. Preheat: Place the oven rack in the middle position and preheat the broiler on High, or a toaster oven at 400ºF (200ºC), for 3 minutes. Set an ungreased, oven-safe wire rack in a baking sheet and place the mochi on top. Put in the preheated oven and set a timer for 3 minutes.
2. Flip the mochi after 3 minutes, when the top is light golden and starting to puff.
3. Grill until puffed, golden brown, and soft inside, about 3 minutes. Remove and serve immediately. Nami's Tip: Remove from the oven as soon as they puff up. If you cook them too long, the hot and molten mochi can burst from the center and overflow.
4. Line a cold frying pan with parchment paper and set the left mochi pieces on top.
5. Turn on the heat to medium-low and cover with a lid. Set the timer for 5 minutes. Nami's Tip: Covering the pan traps heat and moisture, helping the mochi cook evenly.
6. Occasionally lift the lid to check if the mochi is puffing up. When the mochi begins to puff, remove the lid. If the bottom develops golden toast marks in only one spot (see the photo), press down gently once to encourage even toasting.
7. After 5 minutes, flip and grill on the other side until puffed, browned, and soft inside, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and serve immediately. Nami's Tip: Remove from the heat as soon as they puff up. If you cook them too long, the hot and molten mochi can burst from the center and overflow.
8. Serve hot in your favorite recipes like Kinako Mochi, Isobeyaki Mochi with Cheese, Zunda Mochi, Zenzai, and Udon Noodle Soup with Toasted Mochi. See Notes below for more details. Nami's Tip: The grilled mochi will harden as it cools, so serve it hot for the best chewy texture!
9. It's best to cook yakimochi right before you serve it, as it will harden as it cools. I recommend preparing only as much as you can consume. For the left mochi, store it unopened in a dark, cool place away from humidity. Kiri mochi is a shelf-stable product and should last for several months in a vacuum-sealed package.