Japanese cuisine is the favorite of many and Takoyaki is one of the most amazing recipes. It’s basically the octopus in the middle and fried dumplings on the side. This recipe has an extremely soft texture with a moisturized and juicy interior.
For the most part, this is a unique dish and is only made in Takoyaki pan but these pans are hard to find. For this reason, we are sharing the Takoyaki pan substitutes for you!
Takoyaki Pan Substitutes
1) Ice Tray
Yes, your same old ice tray is the perfect substitute for making Takoyaki because it’s a perfect mold. While you using the ice tray, you have to make the batter the same way you would do for the Takoyaki pan. Once the batter is made, you need to place it in the ice tray and place the filled-up ice tray in the freezer. It is suggested to freeze the batter for around a few hours.
In particular, the batter must get solid after hours of freezing. Once they are hard, you need to place the frozen batter in boiling oil and fry them until they become brown. However, you have to ensure that those batter balls don’t melt-up. The best thing about this substitute is that you will get the crispy exterior as it’s fried in boiling oil.
2) Frying Pan
Even if you have no other kitchen tools, we are certain that you would have a frying pan in your kitchen. It can be used in place of Takoyaki pan for making Takoyaki. The frying pan tends to have lower sides with outward flaring and no lid. On the other hand, it is better to use the large-size frying pan because it has a small handle for proper grip (the grip is important while making Takoyaki).
It is better if you opt for the nonstick frying pan as it has the Teflon coating. This is because the nonstick coating will ensure a seamless cooking experience. However, you will need to freeze the batter in an ice cube tray and a frying pan can be used for frying the dumplings. The best thing about using the frying pan is that it works well at low temperatures.
3) Cake Pop Pan
In case you have ever taken part in school’s bake sales, we are certain that you would know about cake pop pan. That being said, if you don’t want to use the frying pan, we suggest that you use the cake pop pan for giving shape to Takoyaki. With cake pop pans, you can fill up the cavities with the batter and place the top pan (it will have silicone clips on the sides for securing the pan in place).
Once you lock in the silicone clip, we suggest that you pop the pan into the oven at 350-degrees Fahrenheit for around twenty-five minutes. After twenty-five minutes, take out the pans, remove the dumplings, and move on with the next steps. The cake pop pans are flexible and the nonstick texture makes them easy to use. The cake pop pan is dishwasher-safe and is reusable.
4) Non-Stick Grill Pan
If you don’t have your regular Takoyaki pan, you can opt for the nonstick Takoyaki grill pan. The grill pan is readily available and has higher quality standards. The nonstick coating of these grill pans makes them easy to cook with and it will ensure that food doesn’t stick to the pan. It is better to use the pans with solid and thick material construction to ensure consistently and even heat distribution.
As the name suggests, these pans are designed with dividing line grooves between the chambers for the convenient tossing of balls. On top of everything, the nonstick grill pan will have an outside lip for preventing spillage. Also, they work pretty fine with gas stoves and electric stoves, so you can depend on the pan for versatility.
5) Multifunction Grill with Takoyaki Maker
If you already have the multifunction grill, you need to check its contents and you will find the Takoyaki maker in it. The Takoyaki makers that come with multifunction grills are designed with nonstick coverage for easy cleaning. In addition, with these makers, you will have higher control over temperature and heat.