Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls) Recipe
Yaki Onigiri, or grilled rice balls, are a traditional Japanese snack made by shaping warm, cooked rice into triangles and grilling them until they form a crispy, golden-brown crust. Brushed with savory soy sauce, these rice balls develop a delightful caramelized flavor. Simple yet delicious, Yaki Onigiri can be enjoyed as a light meal or a comforting snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 rice balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Balls
- 2 cups cooked short or medium-grain rice (warm)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Soy sauce, for brushing
Instructions
- Shape Rice Ball: Wet your hands with water to prevent rice from sticking, then take about ⅓ to ½ cup of warm cooked rice. Using both hands, firmly press and shape the rice into a triangular form by hand. Alternatively, you can use a rice mold, filling it with the rice and pressing firmly to shape.
- Heat Pan and Grill: Preheat a pan over medium heat. Add the vegetable oil to the pan to prevent sticking and aid in browning.
- Grill Rice Balls: Place the shaped rice balls onto the pan. Grill each side without flipping too often to maintain the shape, cooking until a crispy and golden-brown crust forms on all sides.
- Season with Soy Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Brush one side of the grilled rice ball with soy sauce and let it caramelize for 15 to 30 seconds, watching carefully to avoid burning. Flip the rice ball and brush the other side with soy sauce, allowing it to caramelize similarly.
- Serve: Remove from the pan and serve immediately. Optionally, sprinkle with furikake seasoning while still hot for added flavor. Enjoy your crispy, savory Yaki Onigiri!
Notes
- Wet your hands or use a rice paddle to prevent the rice from sticking when shaping.
- Use short or medium-grain rice for the best texture and stickiness.
- Be careful when caramelizing the soy sauce, as it can burn quickly.
- Furikake seasoning (a Japanese rice seasoning) is optional but adds extra umami flavor.
- Yaki Onigiri can be made in advance and reheated on the grill or pan.
Keywords: Yaki Onigiri, Grilled Rice Balls, Japanese Snack, Soy Sauce Rice Balls, Easy Rice Recipes
