Dorayaki delivers soft, honey-sweet pancakes wrapped around a creamy filling for a classic Japanese dessert that’s nostalgic, comforting, and endlessly customizable. This Japanese dessert recipe is beloved across Japan for its fluffy texture, mild sweetness, and street-food charm.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine/Nationality: Japanese recipe (Wagashi – traditional Japanese sweets)

Why Dorayaki Is So Popular

Classic Dorayaki dates back to Japan’s Edo period and became widely popular as an everyday sweet sold in bakeries and street stalls. The honey-sweet pancakes are light yet rich, while fillings like anko (sweet red bean paste) offer balance without being overly sugary. Modern versions include chocolate, custard, and even spicy twists—making dorayaki a versatile, low-competition dessert keyword perfect for home bakers.

JAPANESE DORAYAKI RED BEAN PANCAKE RECIPE(4 SERVINGS)

INGREDIENTS FOR JAPANESE DORAYAKI

• eggs: structure and richness
• sugar: sweetness
• honey: signature dorayaki flavor
• milk: moisture
• all-purpose flour: pancake base
• baking powder: light texture
• vanilla extract: aroma
• sweet red bean paste (anko): traditional filling

HOW TO MAKE JAPANESE DORAYAKI

1. Whisk eggs, sugar, honey, and vanilla until pale and smooth.
2. Stir in milk until fully combined.
3. Sift flour and baking powder into the bowl and gently mix.
4. Rest batter for 15 minutes for fluffy pancakes.
5. Heat a nonstick pan over low heat and lightly oil.
6. Pour small rounds of batter and cook until bubbles form.
7. Flip and cook briefly until golden.
8. Cool pancakes, then sandwich with sweet red bean paste.

DIETARY INFORMATION

• Vegetarian (traditional version)
• Dairy-free option available
• Gluten-free option available
• Vegan option available

Easy swaps included below.

Dorayaki – Japanese Red Bean Pancake

Fluffy, lightly sweet Japanese dorayaki pancakes filled with traditional anko (sweet red bean paste)—an easy homemade wagashi dessert.

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  

• 4 large eggs
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup sweet red bean paste

Instructions

 

• Whisk eggs, sugar, honey, and vanilla until smooth.
• Add milk and mix well.
• Fold in flour and baking powder until just combined.
• Rest batter for 15 minutes.
• Cook small pancakes on low heat until golden on both sides.
• Cool, then fill with red bean paste and sandwich together.

Notes

NUTRITION FACTS (ESTIMATED PER SERVING)

Serving Size: 1 dorayaki
Calories: 260 (13%)
Carbohydrates: 38g (14%)
Protein: 6g (12%)
Fat: 9g (14%)
Saturated Fat: 2g (10%)
Fiber: 3g (11%)
Sugar: 18g (36%)
Sodium: 120mg (5%)

Nutrition values are estimates and may vary based on ingredients and brands used.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Japanese

Keyword: homemade dorayaki, Japanese dorayaki recipe, red bean pancake, wagashi dessert

RECIPE TIPS & SUBSTITUTIONS

• Vegan: use flax eggs, plant milk, and maple syrup
• Gluten-free: substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour
• Dairy-free: use almond or oat milk
• Low-calorie: reduce filling amount or use mashed fruit
• Make ahead: pancakes keep 2 days refrigerated
• Freeze pancakes (unfilled) up to 1 month

SERVING IDEAS

• Serve with green tea or matcha latte
• Add fresh strawberries or banana slices
• Dust lightly with powdered sugar
• Pair spicy dorayaki with iced coffee

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @wokwithsam on Instagram and hashtag it #wokwithsam.