These crispy rice balls, also known as onigiri, are a delightful snack or appetizer. Check out all the details below in my crispy seaweed rice balls recipe.
Made with seasoned rice and wrapped in seaweed, they offer a satisfying crunch and a burst of flavor in every bite.
This recipe is simple and can be customized with various fillings such as pickled vegetables, tuna, or salmon. Perfect for lunchboxes or as a party treat.
Easy Crispy Rice Balls with Seaweed
These rice balls are made from cooked rice mixed with seasonings, shaped into balls, and coated with crispy seaweed. The preparation takes about 30 minutes and yields approximately 10 rice balls.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked sushi rice
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 4 sheets nori (seaweed), cut into strips
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Optional fillings: pickled plum, tuna, or cooked salmon
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice: In a bowl, mix the cooked sushi rice with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until well combined. Let it cool slightly.
- Shape the Rice Balls: Wet your hands to prevent sticking, take a small amount of rice, and flatten it in your palm. Place a teaspoon of your chosen filling in the center, then mold the rice around it to form a ball.
- Coat with Panko: Roll each rice ball in panko breadcrumbs until fully coated.
- Fry the Rice Balls: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Fry the rice balls in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Wrap with Seaweed: Once cooled slightly, wrap each rice ball with a strip of nori. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 10 rice balls
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 5g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
This recipe is part of my 45 Delicious and Easy Japanese Recipes. Just click that link to see all the amazing options!
Jeff was a leader for Whole Foods Market for over 2 decades and is now a recovering foodie. When he's not spending time in the kitchen, he can usually be found with 3 daughters, practicing martial arts, making music, or blogging on his other sites.
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