Rice Balls
Japanese-style onigiri rice balls — seasoned rice formed into triangles or rounds, often with a filling. Portable, customizable. The Japanese answer to sandwiches.
Prep Time
13 min
Cook Time
13 min
Servings
6
Calories
224 cal
🛠 Interactive Recipe Tools — Use them right here on this page
Smart Servings Scaler
- Rice2 ¼ cups
- Cheese1 ½ cup
- Breadcrumbs¾ cup
- Salt1 ½ tsp
- Black Pepper¾ tsp
- Cooking Oil1 ½
- Garlic4 ½ cloves
All quantities scaled automatically from 6 servings.
Ingredients
Makes 6 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust
- Rice2.25 cups
- Cheese1.5 cup
- Breadcrumbs0.75 cup
- Salt1.5 tsp
- Black Pepper0.75 tsp
- Cooking Oil1.5
- Garlic4.5 cloves
Instructions
- 1
Cook 2 cups of short-grain sushi rice or jasmine rice with 2.5 cups water. Let cool slightly (warm but handleable).
- 2
While rice cools, prepare a filling. Options: 2 tablespoons salted salmon (cooked, flaked), tuna mayo (canned tuna + mayo), umeboshi (pickled plum), pickled vegetables, just plain seasoned rice.
- 3
Mix the warm rice with 1 teaspoon salt. Optional: stir in furikake seasoning (Japanese rice seasoning with sesame, seaweed).
- 4
Wet your hands with cold water + a pinch of salt. Scoop ⅓ cup of rice. Make a small depression with your finger, add 1 teaspoon of filling, cover with more rice.
- 5
Shape into a triangle (traditional) or round. Press firmly but not crushingly.
- 6
Wrap a thin strip of nori (seaweed) around the bottom (looks pretty, easier to hold). Repeat to make 8-10 rice balls. Serve at room temperature. Best within 4 hours.
Watch how to make Rice Balls
Plays the exact recipe video right here — no need to leave the page.
💡 Expert Tips
- 1.Short-grain rice. Long-grain doesn't stick.
- 2.Wet hands. Prevents sticking to skin.
- 3.Press firmly. Or they fall apart.
- 4.Nori on bottom. Pretty and functional.
🔬 Why It Works
Onigiri succeed because short-grain rice's natural stickiness binds them into shapes. The fillings provide flavor variety; nori provides handling and aesthetic. The Japanese tradition makes these perfect portable meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (recipe makes 6 servings)
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.
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