Umami Guru › Recipes

Anpan (あんパン)

Japan

By · Published · Updated

Anpan Japanese dessert, anime illustration in Ghibli style

Traditional Japanese sweet buns filled with red adzuki bean paste. The dough is made using a Western bread recipe, and the finished buns can be baked or fried in oil.

Ingredients

Steps

  1. Japanese Anpan pastry, mixing step, illustrated in Studio Ghibli style

    Sift the flour into a bowl, add sugar and salt, and mix well.

  2. Japanese Anpan preparation step, anime-style culinary illustration

    In a separate bowl, dissolve the dry yeast in the milk.

  3. Japanese Anpan: mixing ingredients, Ghibli‑style illustration

    In another bowl, beat the egg, then pour about 1 tablespoon of the egg mixture into the milk with yeast and stir.

  4. Anpan recipe, cooking step, anime illustration, dough kneading

    Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients, knead the dough until it is no longer sticky, then knead by hand for about 10 minutes until elastic.

  5. Japanese Anpan bread, dough mixing, Studio Ghibli‑style illustration

    Add the butter to the dough, knead for another 5 minutes, shape into a ball and place it in the bowl.

  6. Anime‑style illustration of preparing anpan, a Japanese pastry

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a damp towel, place in a warm spot (~30 °C) and let the dough rise for 30–40 minutes.

  7. After rising, turn the dough out, punch it down with your palm to release excess gas, divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape each into a ball.

  8. Japanese Anpan, dough preparation, Ghibli‑style illustration

    On a lightly floured work surface, flatten each ball into a round disc 1–2 cm thick, then smooth it to a diameter of about 6 cm, leaving thinner edges.

  9. Japanese anpan pastry dough preparation – anime illustration

    Place about 1/8 of the adzuki bean paste (≈15 g) in the center of each disc, fold the edges over, forming a bun without visible seams.

  10. Arrange the buns on a baking sheet, place the sheet in a large pot of hot water (~40 °C), cover with plastic wrap and a damp towel, and let rise another 20–30 minutes.

  11. Japanese Anpan pastry, anime‑style illustration of the cooking process

    Brush the surface of the buns with beaten egg.

  12. Bake in a preheated oven for 12–13 minutes at 200 °C until golden brown.

  13. Anpan pan-frying, anime cooking step, Ghibli style

    Optional: instead of baking, fry the buns in vegetable oil heated to 160 °C for 2–3 minutes per side; after cooking, dust with powdered sugar.

FAQ

What is Anpan?

Anpan is a traditional Japanese sweet bun, typically filled with a smooth or chunky red adzuki bean paste.

What are the main ingredients in Anpan?

Key ingredients include flour, sugar, milk, butter, and the signature adzuki bean paste for the filling.

Can I make Anpan without adzuki bean paste?

While adzuki is traditional, you can experiment with other sweet fillings like custard, chestnut paste, or even chocolate for a different flavor.

How long does it take to make Anpan?

This recipe takes approximately 140 minutes, including preparation, rising, and baking time.

What's the best way to store Anpan?

Store Anpan in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days, or freeze for longer storage.