Anko paste, or Japanese sweet red bean paste, is a three-ingredient smooth and lightly sweet filling used in Japanese cooking that’s easy to make at home in the Instant Pot or on the stove.

What is Anko Red Bean Paste?

Anko paste, or red bean paste, is a sweet and smooth paste made from azuki beans (aduki beans), which are small red beans commonly used in Asian desserts. There are two types of anko: “tsubuan,” which has a chunky texture and retains some whole beans, and “koshian,” which is a smooth version of anko paste that has been finely pureed.

It’s popular in Asian cuisine, and while it can be storebought, the homemade version is easy to make and customize!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you haven’t made sweet Red Bean Paste at home before, it’s a great (and surprisingly easy) Japanese recipe that you can add to your repertoire. Then you can keep some on hand and always have a slightly sweet bean paste for desserts and savory foods alike.

While the bean paste can be savory, this smooth anko version is slightly sweetened with coconut sugar. Most store-bought versions are sweetened 1:1 with sugar and beans (which means a ton of sugar!). This version is slightly less sweet because it’s made with less sugar (but still has a delicious and sweet flavor). Plus, you can adjust the sweetness to taste if you like!

All you need are 3 ingredients, a large pot or an Instant Pot, and this homemade red bean paste will be ready in no time! 

Ingredient Notes

• dry azuki beans: Red adzuki beans are easy to find in most local Asian grocery stores or Asian supermarkets. They are small, reddish brown, and are often spelled azuki beans or adzuki beans.
• filtered water
• coconut sugar: I used this instead of dark brown sugar or light brown sugar. It’s a natural sweetener, and I like that’s is not refined! 

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making your own red bean paste is super easy. If you don’t have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, you can also make it on the stovetop. Just keep in mind that the stovetop method will extend the cooking time. 

1. Rinse your dry azuki beans in cool water and drain completely. Transfer to your Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
2. Add cold water, make sure the lid is on the sealing function, and cook on high pressure using the “beans” setting. Once ready, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then force release.
3. Drain the cooked beans and return them to the instant pot container. Add your sugar and stir until all of the sugar dissolves, and the beans thicken slightly. You can also let the mixture sit and cool for 10-15 minutes.
4. Transfer the red bean mixture to a food processor and blend until completely smooth. You can also use an immersion blender if desired. Pour into a container and let chill in the fridge until completely cool and firm.

Secrets to Success

• Sourcing Adzuki Beans: The beans used to make Anko paste are called adzuki beans, or red beans. You can find them online or at most Asian markets and some regular grocery stores as well.
• Sweetness: The sweetness in this recipe is a matter of preference. I like my paste to be less sweet, but you can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking. 

How to Use Smooth Red Bean Paste

You can use it to fill dozens of sweet and fun Japanese pastries or even atop ice cream! Its creamy texture goes so well with so many things. Think mochi, dango, anpan, and more.

To get you started, try this delicious paste in these popular and traditional Japanese sweets:

• Mitarashi Dango (vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free)
• Zenzai (Sweet Red Bean Soup with Mochi) | Vegan Japanese Desserts
• Kashiwa Mochi

Storage Tips

Store the sweetened paste in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks. 

To freeze, store in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

Recipe FAQs

More Japanese Recipes

If you’re on an East Asian kick, I have plenty more easy and fun Japanese recipes to make next, including:

• Vegan Japanese Hot Pot: Nabemono
• Easy Sautéed Lotus Root (Kinpira Renkon) | Vegan Japanese Food
• Obachan’s Mushroom Kamameshi Japanese Mixed Rice

If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!