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The Recipe · No.490 · Takoyaki

Takoyaki, and where to source it

Takoyaki — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Takoyaki Japanese 5best2buy.com

The magic of takoyaki is the flip: you pour the batter to overflowing, drop in the octopus, then turn each ball with a skewer so the runny center rolls up into a new crisp shell. Keep the pan hot and the batter thin so the outside sets fast while the inside stays molten and custardy.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook20 min
Makes24 balls
CuisineJapanese
Cost$
Dairy-free
Contains  eggs · gluten · fish · shellfish · sesame
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 24 balls
Flour
The batter base; a thin batter is what lets the balls stay creamy inside.
1.5 cups
Source it →
Eggs
Bind the batter and give it a custardy center.
2 eggs
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Takoyaki sauce
The sweet-tangy brown sauce brushed over the finished balls.
1/3 cup
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Toasted sesame seeds
Scattered over the top with the other garnishes.
1 tbsp
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Cooked octopus, dashi, scallion & bonito
Diced octopus goes inside; dashi thins the batter; scallion and bonito flakes finish.
1/2 lb octopus
Dashi →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryer
The Method
  1. Make the batterWhisk flour, eggs, and dashi into a thin, pourable batter and rest it 10 minutes.
  2. Heat the panOil a takoyaki pan and heat until a drop of batter sizzles hard.
  3. FillPour batter to overflowing, drop a piece of octopus and scallion into each well.
  4. FlipAs the bottoms set, use a skewer to turn each ball 90 degrees, tucking the raw batter under to build a round shell.
  5. FinishRoll until golden all over, brush with sauce, and top with bonito flakes and sesame.
The Toolkit

Takoyaki pan · Metal skewers · Squeeze bottle · Basting brush

Straight Answers
Can you make Takoyaki in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Takoyaki? — Not ideal

Not really — the cream, custard, or emulsion turns grainy or splits once thawed. This one is best kept fresh in the fridge.

Can you make Takoyaki ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Takoyaki gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Takoyaki vegan? — No

No — it contains seafood, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.490

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