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    Home » Recipes » Wagashi

    Updated: Aug 7, 2023 by Marc · 4 Comments

    Kinako (Roasted Soybean Powder)

    Kinako is a magical yellow powder that turns roasted soybeans into a nutty, flavor-packed condiment traditionally used with Japanese sweets such as mochi and dango. It can also be used in lattes, sprinkled on toast, and transformed into a nut-free spread that's better than peanut butter.
    Recipe Video Pin
    A vibrant spread featuring a bowl of kinako, kinako-dusted doughnuts, kinako butter on toast, and a kinako latte, illustrating the myriad uses of this traditional Japanese ingredient.

    Kinako, also known as roasted soybean powder, is a classic condiment used in wagashi for coating traditional Japanese sweets. As the soybeans slowly roast, their natural sugars caramelize, unlocking a delicate, nutty flavor reminiscent of toasted hazelnuts. Once ground into a delicate powder, this one-ingredient wonder becomes a versatile addition to your culinary repertoire, ready to add loads of flavor to your favorite dishes.

    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Works?
    • Ingredients
    • How to Use Kinako Powder
    • Kinako, A Nutritious Treat
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why This Recipe Works?

    • Soybeans are inherently sweet and creamy (why they make good plant-based milk), but when you roast them, caramelization and Maillard browning transform the flavor into something similar to peanuts or hazelnuts. 
    • Grinding the roasted soybeans into a fine powder makes it easy to use as a flavorful ingredient and a topping.
    • You can adjust how nutty you want your kinako to be by how long you roast it. The darker the roast, the more nutty it will taste. 

    Ingredients

    • Soybeans - Dried soybeans are the main ingredient in this recipe. They're a highly nutritious legume rich in protein and fiber and have a natural creaminess and sweetness. When roasted, they take on a rich nutty aroma that makes Kinako flour a popular flavoring for desserts in Japan. I used a cultivar called Fukuyutaka. It has a higher sugar and protein content than other soybeans, which makes it great for roasting. 
    Overhead view of doughnuts generously dusted with kinako, creamy kinako butter spread lavishly on a slice of toasted bread, and a kinako latte. Just a few modern spins on this nutty Japanese ingredient.

    Position the rack in the center of your oven to ensure even heat distribution, then preheat it to 180°C (355°F).

    Once your oven is up to temperature, spread your dried soybeans on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, slide it into your preheated oven, and roast the soybeans. This usually takes about 10 to 12 minutes, but ovens vary widely in design, so keep an eye on them. As soybeans roast, the heat catalyzes a series of chemical reactions, including caramelization and Maillard browning, which unlocks a deep nutty flavor.

    To guarantee an even roast, it's important to shake the tray halfway through to redistribute the soybeans. Remember that the skin of the soybean won't brown very much, so you want to look at the color of the beans as the skins split open. The intensity of its nuttiness can be varied by adjusting the roasting time: the longer the roast, the nuttier the kinako.

    Once the soybeans reach the desired color, remove them from the oven and cool down to room temperature on a wire rack.

    To make the roasted soybean powder, use a clean coffee grinder or blender to turn the soybeans into flour. Avoid overloading the grinder, or your powder will end up too coarse. 

    Once your homemade kinako is ready, store it in an airtight container. Its shelf-life is a few months, so it's a great pantry staple to have on hand. 

    How to Use Kinako Powder

    Kinako's complex nutty flavor profile adds depth to traditional Japanese-style sweets such as Warabi Mochi, Daifuku, Dango, and Ohagi (rice cakes with red bean paste) while preventing the sticky snacks from sticking together. 

    The thing is, its hazelnut-like flavor has made it a popular modern flavor here in Japan. Sprinkle it over your yogurt along with your favorite sweetener (such as maple syrup, honey, or kuromitsu) for a protein-rich and flavorful start to your day. Comforting soy milk kinako lattes are great way to warm up during the cooler months of the year while kinako milkshakes or smoothies are perfect for the warmer months. Kinako sugar makes for a great topping for French Toast (think cinnamon sugar), oatmeal, cookies, or a coating for doughnuts.

    My favorite use, though, is to make a peanut butter-like spread that I call kinako butter. Just add a bit of powdered sugar and salt to the roasted soybean powder and then stir in a neutral oil a little bit at a time until it's a spreadable consistency. If it becomes too liquid, just add some more kinako. This kinako spread is delicious spread on bread with sliced bananas, but you could also use it to make a soynut butter and jelly sandwich.

    Close-up shot of a wooden bowl filled with homemade kinako powder, its golden hue hinting at its rich, nutty flavor. With kinako doughnuts and kinako butter in the background.

    Kinako, A Nutritious Treat

    Kinako, made from the mighty soybean, boasts an impressive nutritional profile similar to other soy products, such as tofu. However, because it's made using whole soybeans, it retains a higher nutritional value than most soy products. 

    Protein and fiber are two of the key nutrients that Kinako brings to the table, with 7.3 grams of protein and 2 grams of dietary fiber for every 20-gram serving. You also get a hefty dose of essential minerals, such as calcium for bone health, iron for red blood cell production, and magnesium. 

    Beyond these basic nutrients, roasted soybean flour also brings a range of potent anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. These include isoflavones, plant-derived compounds linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, and saponins, which have been associated with cholesterol reduction and improved immune function.

    How do you pronounce Kinako?

    Kinako is a 3-syllable name pronounced as follows (read the italicized parts).

    ki like key
    na like knob
    ko like corner

    Is Kinako gluten-free?

    Yes, Kinako is gluten-free. It's made from soybeans, which are naturally free of gluten. However, if you're purchasing pre-made kinako, it's always a good idea to check the label to ensure it hasn't been processed in a facility that also processes wheat or other gluten-containing grains.

    📖 Recipe

    Close-up shot of a wooden bowl filled with homemade kinako powder, its golden hue hinting at its rich, nutty flavor. With kinako doughnuts and kinako butter in the background.

    Kinako (Roasted Soybean Powder)

    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Discuss
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 12 minutes mins
    Yield 6 servings

    Units

    Ingredients 

    • 150 grams dried soybeans

    Instructions

    • Put the rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 180°C (355°F).
      Preheat oven to roast soy beans.
    • Spread 150 grams dried soybeans out on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
      Spread soybeans on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
    • Roast the soybeans until golden brown (about 10-12 minutes). Shake the tray to redistribute the soybeans halfway through to ensure they brown evenly.
      Roasting soybeans until golden brown.
    • Remove the roasted soybeans from the oven and let them cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
      Cooling roasted soybeans on a wire rack.
    • Use a clean coffee grinder or blender to grind the soybeans into a fine powder. If you're using a coffee grinder, don't fill the hopper more than ¼ of the way full.
      Grinding roasted soybeans into Kinako powder.
    • Store the Kinako in an airtight container. It will last for a few months.
      Store Kinako in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.
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    Nutrition

    Calories 112kcalCarbohydrates 8gProtein 9gFat 5gSaturated Fat 1gPolyunsaturated Fat 3gMonounsaturated Fat 1gSodium 1mgPotassium 449mgFiber 2gSugar 2gVitamin A 6IUVitamin C 2mgCalcium 69mgIron 4mg

    More Wagashi

    • Oshiruko or zenzai is a traditional Japanese dessert soup made with sweet adzuki bean paste and mochi.
      Sweet Red Bean Soup
    • These crispy taiyaki are a Japanese fish-shaped pastry with a crisp buttery crust and sweet red bean paste in the center.
      Taiyaki (Fish Shaped Pastry)
    • Soft, springy grilled rice dumplings glazed with a sweet and savory sauce. These traditional Japanese Mitarashi Dango make for a delicious snack.
      Mitarashi Dango
    • Ohagi, also known as Botamochi, is a traditional Japanese sweet made with mochi rice, and anko is served here with matcha.
      Ohagi (Botamochi)

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Emily says

      July 24, 2023 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you for sharing this Marc! As a functional medicine practitioner for women's hormonal health for a mostly Asian clientele, this is the perfect substitute for wheat flours. I am going to try to make this asap.

      Reply
      • Marc says

        July 24, 2023 at 11:19 pm

        Thanks Emily! That's cool to know! This won't really be able to replace wheat flour from a baking chemistry perspective as it doesn't have the ability to hold air or gel like flour (there's not much starch in it). It also might be a little too intense flavorwise on it's own, but it could certainly be mixed into a GF AP flour mixture for a little added flavor. Curious to hear what you come up with. I think it has a lot of potential.

        Reply
    2. DJ says

      August 10, 2023 at 4:58 am

      Elegant solution for oh so many things. Already in like 24 hours I've used it for kinako chicken and kinako-butter. Really way better for you than peanut butter (which is not a nut but a legume which basically grows in a ground-sponge of a husk and just filled with fungus for anyone with autoimmune issues). Back to more appetizing topics, I see this going on ice cream, yogurt, maybe air-fried fish and 100 other things this year. This has become an instant cupboard stable. Thanks St. Marc!

      Reply
      • Marc says

        August 10, 2023 at 12:12 pm

        Happy to hear you've been getting more cooking in! I love the idea of using this on fried fish! 👍🏼

        Reply

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