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Stack of warm, pan-fried bread with browned spots, highlighting their rustic homemade look.

Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes)

Soft, pan-fried sweet Korean pancakes filled with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts, featuring a lightly chewy dough and a warm, gooey center.
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Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Korean
Keyword: Hotteok (Sweet Korean Pancakes)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Resting Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 pancakes

Ingredients

For the Pancake Dough

  • cup lukewarm water
  • ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Filling

  • 2 tablespoons walnuts finely chopped (or other nuts as preferred)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

For Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus additional as needed

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the lukewarm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the surface and allow it to stand for 1 minute.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and stir until a firm dough forms. If necessary, add additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
  • Knead the dough gently for approximately 1 minute. Return it to the bowl, cover, and allow it to rise in a warm, draft-free area for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
  • While the dough is rising, prepare the filling by mixing the chopped nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon until evenly combined.
  • Once the dough has risen, gently deflate it and divide it into 6 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball.
  • Heat the vegetable oil in a small to medium skillet over medium heat.
  • Lightly oil your hands. Flatten one dough ball into a disk and create a shallow indentation in the center. Place approximately 1 teaspoon of filling in the indentation. Carefully gather the edges of the dough and pinch them together to fully enclose the filling, ensuring no gaps remain.
  • Repeat with the remaining dough portions, placing filled dough balls on a lightly oiled surface to prevent sticking.
  • Place up to three pancakes seam-side down into the heated skillet. Press each pancake gently with a spatula to flatten.
  • Cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown. Turn the pancakes over, flatten gently again, and cook for an additional 2–3 minutes until browned.
  • Reduce the heat if necessary to prevent burning. Flip the pancakes once more and cook for an additional 1 minute.
  • Remove from the skillet, drain excess oil if needed, and allow to cool briefly before serving. Repeat with remaining pancakes.

Notes

To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that contains xanthan gum. Ensure the blend is suitable for yeast-based doughs. Texture may vary slightly, and additional resting time may be required.