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Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Ball)

Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Ball)

Enjoy delicious Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Ball) with a crispy crust and savory soy glaze.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine Japanese
Servings 9 rice balls
Calories 207 kcal

Equipment

  • rice cooker
  • frying pan
  • onigiri mold
  • Microwave

Ingredients
  

For the Steamed Rice

  • 2.25 cups uncooked Japanese short-grain white rice 3 rice cooker cups, 540 ml for 9 rice balls
  • 2.5 cups water or 1⅔ cups (400 ml) for 2 rice cooker cups

For the Rice Seasoning

  • 3 tablespoon soy sauce or 2 tablespoon for 2 rice cooker cups
  • 1 tablespoon sugar or 2 teaspoon for 2 rice cooker cups
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil or 2 teaspoon for 2 rice cooker cups
  • 0.25 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ⅛ teaspoon for 2 rice cooker cups

For the Glaze

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Soak the Japanese short-grain rice for 20-30 minutes.
  • Cook the rice in a rice cooker with 2½ cups water for 2¼ cups rice.

Season the Cooked Rice

  • Combine soy sauce and sugar in a bowl, microwave until hot, and whisk until sugar dissolves.
  • Add sesame oil and kosher salt to the mixture.
  • Transfer hot cooked rice to a bowl, add seasoning mixture, and combine gently.

Shape the Onigiri

  • Use an onigiri mold or plastic wrap to shape the rice into rice balls.
  • Press rice firmly to keep its shape while grilling.

Pan-Grill the Onigiri

  • Combine soy sauce and sesame oil for the glaze, place rice balls on parchment paper in the frying pan.
  • Grill on medium-low heat until crispy and lightly browned, rotating as needed.

Glaze the Onigiri

  • Brush the onigiri with glaze after toasting and grill until the glaze is caramelized.

Store the Onigiri

  • Seal individually in plastic wrap and freeze or refrigerate with a towel.

Notes

For best results, let the cooked rice cool before shaping. Press and rotate for triangle shape.

Nutrition

Serving: 1rice ballCalories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 420mgPotassium: 38mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gCalcium: 3mgIron: 2mg
Keyword comfort food, Grilled Rice Ball, Japanese food, rice balls, snack, Yaki Onigiri
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