Easy Onigiri Recipe Japanese Rice Balls Video

Why We Love This Japanese Rice Balls Recipe

Feeling like your lunch routine could use a refresh? Onigiri to the rescue! Friends of ours introduced us to fun Japanese Rice Balls, Onigiri, years ago, and we’ve loved them ever since. Sticky and tender sushi rice is shaped into balls or fun shapes and can be filled or coated with all kinds of yummy goodies. They’re perfect to make with the family and include in lunch boxes (for kids of all ages!) Here we’re sharing with you a classic Onigiri recipe that’s terrific to customize with your preferred ingredients. Depending on tastes and diet, Japanese rice balls are easy to prepare with different flavors, sodium levels, shapes, and garnishes. Roll up a batch to keep in the fridge so you’ve got some ready whenever you need to quickly pack a lunch or are craving a light, tasty snack!

Ingredients You Need

The authentic gluten-free Onigiri recipe only includes four simple ingredients:

Sushi rice – is the best rice for the right sticky texture Water – for preparing the rice Furikake seasoning – traditional, but optional Salt – gives the rice balls a base of flavor

Plus, add any extra goodies you choose, like classic sushi toppings. Keep reading for suggestions of add-ins and toppings!

How to Make Japanese Rice Balls (Classic Onigiri Recipe)

Pro Tip: If using molds, I recommend that you spray them with nonstick cooking spray first.

Onigiri Toppings and Fillings Suggestions

For a simple and clean (and cute!) Onigiri, cut nori sheets – sheets of dry seaweed – and press the pieces against the Onigiri for decoration. We also make traditional triangles with a nori strip garnish on the bottom, and balls with nori rings and ginger garnish. To make the pandas, we skipped the furikake and added extra salt to taste, to keep the color clean and white. You can also cut and decorate with sushi ginger or smoked salmon. If you’d like to include fillings in the rice balls, press half of the cooked rice into a mold and add a good pinch of the filling. Place another portion of rice over the filling and press the mold. Some classic Onigiri fillings you can try are crab salad, smoked salmon, umeboshi (pickled Japanese plums), and dried bonito flakes. Or fill them with less-traditional but still tasty fillings like shredded tuna, chicken, or beef – mixed with a bit of Japanese mayo for a great creamy texture.