What is chapssal-tteok?

Chapssal-tteok is a traditional Korean sweet rice cake made from glutinous rice flour. It has a soft, chewy, mochi-like texture and is usually filled with sweet red bean paste. It is traditionally enjoyed during Korean celebrations and holidays.

Is this chapssal-tteok recipe actually dairy free?

Yes, completely. This recipe uses full-fat coconut milk in place of regular milk or cream, so there is no dairy anywhere in the dough or the filling. It is also naturally egg free and vegan.

Can I use canned red bean paste instead of making my own?

You can, but most canned versions contain significant amounts of refined white sugar. Making your own filling from dried adzuki beans keeps this recipe lower in sugar and adds far more fibre and protein per serving.

Why is glutinous rice flour different from regular rice flour?

Glutinous rice flour, also called sweet rice flour, is made from a specific short-grain rice variety that is very high in a type of starch called amylopectin. This gives the dough its distinctive stretchy, chewy texture. Regular rice flour will not produce the same result.

Can I make these ahead of time?

These rice cakes are best eaten the day they are made, as the dough can harden slightly in the fridge. If you need to make them ahead, store at room temperature for up to 6 hours covered loosely. A quick 10 second microwave blast can help revive the texture if needed.

Is this recipe suitable for people with gluten intolerance?

Yes. Glutinous rice flour contains no gluten despite the name. The word glutinous simply refers to the gluey, sticky texture of the cooked dough. Every ingredient in this recipe is naturally gluten free, though always check your specific product labels if you have coeliac disease.

Chapssal-Tteok Glutinous Rice Cake Dairy Free Recipe with Red Bean and Coconut

Name: Chapssal-Tteok Glutinous Rice Cake Dairy Free Recipe with Red Bean and Coconut
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup glutinous rice flour (also labelled sweet rice flour or chapssal garu, not regular rice flour); 0.5 cup full-fat coconut milk (well shaken, from a can); 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (grade A or B, adjust to taste); 1 pinch fine sea salt; 0.75 cup dried adzuki beans (soaked overnight and drained); 2 tablespoons coconut sugar (for the red bean filling); 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the red bean filling); 3 tablespoons roasted soybean powder (kinako or injeolmi powder, for dusting. Cornstarch works as...; 1 teaspoon cornstarch (extra, for dusting hands and work surface)

Gluten-FreeVeganDairy-FreeRefined Sugar-FreeEgg-Free

Prep Time30 min

Chill Time15 min

Servings10

Calories118 kcal

Health Score8/10

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Chapssal-Tteok Glutinous Rice Cake Dairy Free Recipe with Red Bean and Coconut

If you have been searching for a lighter, dairy free take on the beloved Korean sweet rice cake, this chapssal-tteok recipe is exactly what your kitchen needs. Traditional chapssaltteok is a gorgeous, pillowy dessert with deep cultural roots, enjoyed at Korean celebrations and holidays as a symbol of good fortune. This version keeps all that chewy magic intact while cutting back on refined sugar, skipping dairy entirely and sneaking in a little extra fibre through the filling. It is a recipe that works beautifully for anyone eating plant-based, managing lactose intolerance, or simply looking for a more wholesome sweet treat that does not leave you feeling heavy afterwards.

The outer dough is built on glutinous rice flour, sometimes labelled as sweet rice flour or chapssal garu, which is naturally gluten free and gives the rice cake its signature stretchy, mochi-like chew. Instead of milk or cream, this recipe uses full-fat coconut milk, which brings a gentle tropical richness and keeps the dough beautifully supple. A small amount of pure maple syrup replaces a large portion of white sugar, providing sweetness alongside trace minerals and a lower glycaemic impact. A pinch of fine sea salt rounds out the flavour without overpowering the delicate rice. For the filling, a homemade red bean paste is made by simmering dried adzuki beans with a modest amount of coconut sugar and a splash of vanilla extract, keeping the sugar content notably lower than shop-bought versions while delivering a deep, earthy sweetness that pairs perfectly with the soft rice dough. Adzuki beans are genuinely impressive from a nutrition standpoint, offering a solid hit of plant-based protein and dietary fibre in every small spoonful.

The texture of these little rice cakes is soft, springy and satisfyingly dense without being stodgy. Bite through the lightly dusted exterior and you find a smooth, creamy bean filling that melts gently against the chew of the rice dough. Coating the finished cakes in roasted soybean powder, also known as injeolmi powder or kinako, adds a nutty, toasty note and prevents them sticking together. If you cannot find roasted soybean powder, plain cornstarch works as a neutral alternative. These are best served at room temperature, perhaps alongside a warm cup of barley tea or a gentle green tea, the way they might be enjoyed in a traditional Korean home. They also make a beautiful addition to a celebration spread or a thoughtful homemade gift wrapped in parchment.

From a health perspective, this recipe delivers real advantages over conventional versions. Each rice cake comes in at a noticeably lower calorie count compared to traditional recipes that rely on heavy cream and generous amounts of white sugar. The adzuki bean filling contributes dietary fibre and plant protein, which help to slow down the digestion of natural sugars and provide a more sustained energy release. Coconut milk provides medium-chain fatty acids, and maple syrup brings a touch of manganese and zinc alongside its sweetness. The entire recipe is dairy free, gluten free, vegan, refined sugar free and egg free, making it one of the most inclusive desserts you can bring to a table. It is a wonderful reminder that cultural classics and health-conscious cooking are not opposites. They can sit side by side, chewy and delicious, dusted in golden soybean powder.

Ingredients

Serves:10

1 cup glutinous rice flour (also labelled sweet rice flour or chapssal garu, not regular rice flour)
0.5 cup full-fat coconut milk (well shaken, from a can)
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (grade A or B, adjust to taste)
1 pinch fine sea salt
0.8 cup dried adzuki beans (soaked overnight and drained)
2 tablespoons coconut sugar (for the red bean filling)
0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the red bean filling)
3 tablespoons roasted soybean powder (kinako or injeolmi powder, for dusting. Cornstarch works as a substitute)
1 teaspoon cornstarch (extra, for dusting hands and work surface)

Instructions

1
Start by making the red bean filling. Drain the soaked adzuki beans and place them in a small saucepan. Cover with fresh water by about 5 centimetres and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 40 to 50 minutes until the beans are very soft and easily mashed between your fingers.
Soaking the beans overnight cuts cooking time significantly and improves digestibility.
2
Drain most of the cooking liquid, leaving just a splash. Add the coconut sugar and vanilla extract, then mash the beans firmly with a fork or potato masher until you have a fairly smooth, thick paste. It does not need to be perfectly smooth. A little texture is lovely. Set the paste aside to cool completely, then divide it into 10 equal portions and roll each into a small ball. Refrigerate the balls for at least 15 minutes so they hold their shape.
Chilling the bean filling makes it much easier to wrap in the dough without it squishing out.
3
Make the rice dough. In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the glutinous rice flour, coconut milk, maple syrup and sea salt until completely smooth with no lumps remaining. The batter will be quite runny at this stage, which is normal.
Use a balloon whisk and take your time here. Any lumps in the raw batter become harder to smooth out once cooked.
4
Cover the bowl loosely with a damp piece of paper towel or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Microwave on full power for 1 minute. Remove and stir the mixture firmly with a silicone spatula, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl.
5
Cover again with the same gap and microwave for a further 1 minute. Remove and stir vigorously for 2 to 3 minutes. The dough should now be thick, stretchy, slightly translucent and pulling away from the sides of the bowl. If it still looks raw or very sticky in the centre, microwave in 20 second bursts until cooked through.
The dough is done when it has lost its bright white colour and turned slightly glossy and translucent.
6
Dust a clean work surface generously with cornstarch. Dust your hands too. Transfer the hot dough onto the surface, taking care as it will be very hot. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces using a dough scraper or sharp knife dusted with cornstarch.
Wet hands can also help if you find the dough sticking, though cornstarch gives a better finish.
7
Flatten one piece of dough in your palm into a rough circle about 7 to 8 centimetres wide. Place one chilled red bean ball in the centre. Gather the edges of the dough up and around the filling, pinching them firmly together at the top to seal. Roll gently between your palms to form a smooth round ball. Repeat with all remaining pieces.
Work quickly while the dough is still warm and pliable. If it cools too much and becomes hard to stretch, briefly warm the remaining dough in the microwave for 10 seconds.
8
Roll each finished rice cake in the roasted soybean powder until evenly coated. Place them on a parchment-lined tray, making sure they are not touching each other.
Generous coating with soybean powder prevents the cakes from sticking together and adds a wonderful nutty flavour.

Nutrition per serving

118kcal

Calories

3.8g

Protein

21g

Carbs

2.9g

Fat

3.2g

Fibre

5.1g

Sugar

42mg

Sodium

Pro Tips

✓
Use full-fat coconut milk for the best dough texture. Light coconut milk does not provide enough fat to keep the dough soft and pliable.
✓
Always work with dusted hands and a dusted surface. The dough is naturally sticky and cornstarch is your best friend throughout the shaping process.
✓
Do not let the shaped cakes sit uncovered for long. Cover loosely with cling film or a damp cloth until you are ready to serve.
✓
The red bean filling can be made up to three days ahead and stored in the fridge, saving prep time on the day.
✓
If your dough feels too stiff after cooking, add half a teaspoon of coconut milk and knead gently to soften it slightly before shaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Variations

•
Matcha Outer Dough
Whisk 1 teaspoon of ceremonial grade matcha powder into the dry glutinous rice flour before adding the coconut milk. This creates a beautiful green dough with a gentle earthy bitterness that contrasts wonderfully with the sweet red bean filling.
•
Black Sesame Filling
Replace the red bean paste with a filling made from 4 tablespoons of black sesame paste blended with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of coconut cream. Roll into balls and chill as directed. The nutty, slightly bitter sesame flavour is absolutely stunning inside the coconut rice dough.
•
Strawberry Coconut
Press a small piece of fresh strawberry into the centre of each red bean ball before wrapping in dough. The fresh fruit adds a bright, jammy note and a tiny burst of juice when you bite in. Best consumed the same day.

Substitutions

•
Full-fat coconut milk → Oat milk or almond milk (Plant-based milks with lower fat content will produce a slightly firmer, less creamy dough. Add an extra teaspoon of neutral oil such as light coconut oil to compensate.)
•
Maple syrup → Brown rice syrup or agave nectar (Both work as a 1:1 swap. Brown rice syrup has a very mild flavour and low glycaemic index. Agave is sweeter so use slightly less.)
•
Roasted soybean powder → Cornstarch or tapioca starch (These neutral starches work well for preventing sticking but do not add the toasty nutty flavour that soybean powder provides. Desiccated coconut lightly blended into a powder is a flavourful alternative.)
•
Adzuki beans → Tinned white beans or chickpeas (Blend with coconut sugar and vanilla for a paler, milder filling. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious and even higher in protein.)

🧊 Storage

Store finished rice cakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 hours. For longer storage, place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Before eating refrigerated cakes, microwave each one for 10 to 12 seconds to restore the soft, chewy texture. Do not freeze as freezing significantly alters the texture of the rice dough.

📅 Make Ahead

The red bean filling can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in a sealed container in the fridge. Pre-roll the filling into balls and keep them chilled until you are ready to make the dough. The dough itself should be made and shaped on the day of serving for the best texture.