Crispy Golden Yaki Onigiri Recipe: A Savory Japanese Delight

Sizzling Japanese street food meets home cooking with this irresistible yaki onigiri recipe that promises crispy, golden-brown rice balls packed with flavor.

Grilled to perfection, these handheld delights capture the essence of Japanese comfort cuisine.

Each bite delivers a delectable combination of charred edges and soft, warm centers.

The simplicity of the ingredients belies the complex taste profile that emerges from careful grilling.

Brushed with savory soy sauce and carefully caramelized, these rice triangles offer a mouthwatering experience straight from traditional Japanese kitchens.

You’ll fall in love with this easy-to-make snack that brings the vibrant street food culture right to your plate.

Dive into this culinary adventure and savor every crispy, umami-rich moment.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Making Yaki Onigiri

• Sushi Rice: Sticky, short-grain rice perfect for compact onigiri that holds shape beautifully.
• Water: Essential for cooking rice to fluffy, tender consistency.

• White Miso Paste: Provides deep, umami-rich flavor with subtle sweetness and fermented depth.
• Mirin: Adds delicate sweetness and glossy finish to miso mixture.
• Sake: Brings complexity and helps blend miso ingredients smoothly.
• Sugar: Balances and rounds out miso paste's savory profile.
• Soy Sauce: Delivers classic Japanese seasoning with robust, salty punch.
• Butter: Creates golden, crispy exterior and adds rich, creamy undertone.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures even grilling and prevents sticking.

• Chives: Adds fresh, mild onion-like brightness and elegant green color.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and traditional Japanese garnish element.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning: Introduces multi-dimensional texture with herbs and seeds.

Tools to Grill Yaki Onigiri at Home

• Cast Iron Skillet: Heavy-duty pan perfect for creating crispy, golden-brown onigiri surfaces.
• Cling Wrap: Essential for shaping rice into neat triangle shapes without sticking.
• Mixing Bowl: Used for combining miso paste ingredients and preparing seasonings.
• Cooking Spatula: Helps flip and handle delicate rice balls during grilling.
• Pastry Brush: Ideal for evenly applying miso paste or soy sauce onto onigiri surfaces.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tool for measuring mirin, sake, sugar, and butter amounts.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping chives and final preparation.

Steps for Delicious Yaki Onigiri

Yaki Onigiri Adventure

• Rice Foundation

Perfectly cooked rice is the heart of this delicious Japanese snack. Choose short-grain rice for the best texture and stickiness.

• Onigiri Shaping

Transform warm rice into triangular treasures using plastic wrap as your molding helper. Gently press and compact each portion to create sturdy, compact rice cakes.

• Sizzling Transformation

A hot skillet becomes your magic cooking surface. Coat the pan with butter or oil to create a golden, crispy exterior that will make your onigiri irresistible.

• Flavor Explosion

Paint your rice triangles with miso paste or soy sauce, allowing each side to caramelize and develop a rich, complex taste. The key is patience and frequent turning to achieve an even, crunchy coating.

• Finishing Touches

Sprinkle chopped chives, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning to add a final burst of flavor and visual appeal. Serve these hot, crispy delights immediately for maximum enjoyment.

Grilled Onigiri Flavor Options

• Cook Japanese short-grain rice slightly firmer than regular rice to ensure onigiri holds its shape perfectly during grilling without falling apart.
• Wet your hands with cold water and sprinkle salt before shaping rice balls to create a smooth, non-adhesive surface that prevents rice from clinging to your fingers.
• Experiment with classic Japanese fillings like umeboshi (pickled plum), salmon flakes, or spicy tuna to create exciting inner surprises within your onigiri.
• Switch from cast iron skillet to grill pan or outdoor barbecue for smoky flavor variations, adjusting heat to maintain crispy exterior without burning rice.
• Replace butter with sesame oil for vegan version, or use gluten-free tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to accommodate different dietary preferences while maintaining authentic taste profile.

How to Plate Yaki Onigiri

• Cozy Picnic Companion: Pack these delightful yaki onigiri in a bento box for a perfect outdoor lunch with friends or family, wrapped in parchment paper to keep them warm and crispy.
• Appetizer Elegance: Serve as a stunning starter at dinner parties, arranging the triangular rice balls on a sleek wooden board with small dipping sauces like ponzu or extra miso paste.
• Cocktail Hour Snack: Pair these crispy rice triangles with Japanese whisky or a cold sake, creating a sophisticated small plate that complements drinks during evening gatherings.
• Breakfast Fusion: Transform your morning routine by serving yaki onigiri alongside a soft-boiled egg and quick pickled vegetables for a Japanese-inspired breakfast that breaks away from traditional morning meals.

Store Grilled Onigiri the Way

• Rice Ball Timing: Perfect for making ahead, these onigiri can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Crispy Refresh Technique: Reheat grilled onigiri in a skillet with a touch of butter or oil to restore their crispy exterior and warm, soft interior.
• Smart Freezing Strategy: Wrap uncooked rice balls individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Store up to one month for quick meal preparation.
• Flavor Enhancement Trick: Allow miso or soy sauce onigiri to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking, letting the flavors deeply penetrate the rice for maximum taste experience.

Crispy Yaki Onigiri Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Flavorful yaki onigiri from Japan offers grilled rice balls with crispy exteriors and savory fillings. Japanese street food enthusiasts will delight in this simple yet delicious culinary creation that brings comfort and excitement to your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups/473 ml uncooked short-grain rice
• 2 cups/473 ml water
• 1.5 tbsps/22 ml vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp/15 ml soy sauce
• 1 tbsp/15 ml miso
• 1.5 tbsps/22 ml everything bagel seasoning
• 1.5 tbsps/22 ml butter
• 2 tsps/10 ml mirin
• 2 tsps/10 ml sake
• 2 tsps/10 ml sugar
• 1 tsp/5 ml finely chopped chives
• 1 tsp/5 ml sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Rice Preparation: Cook rice using rice cooker or stovetop method until grains are tender and sticky, then allow to cool slightly.
2. Miso Glaze Creation: Whisk miso, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small bowl until smooth and fully combined.
3. Rice Shaping: Use plastic wrap to mold rice into triangular shapes, applying gentle, consistent pressure to create compact, uniform onigiri.
4. Skillet Searing: Heat cast iron skillet over medium flame, lightly coated with butter or oil, creating an ideal golden-brown surface.
5. Grilling and Glazing: Place rice triangles on hot skillet, searing each side for approximately one minute, then generously brush with miso mixture or soy sauce to develop a caramelized, crispy exterior.
6. Finishing Touches: Continue grilling and basting until onigiri reach a rich, crackling texture with deep flavor, then transfer to serving plates and garnish with chives, sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning.
7. Serving: Complete with a small butter pat and serve immediately to maintain optimal temperature and crispness.

Notes

• Check Rice Consistency: Ensure rice is slightly sticky and tender for perfect onigiri shape and texture.
• Master Wrapping Technique: Use plastic wrap to create uniform triangular shapes with gentle, consistent pressure to prevent rice from falling apart.
• Control Skillet Heat: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden, crispy exterior without burning the rice triangles.
• Brush Carefully: Apply miso mixture or soy sauce evenly, rotating onigiri to create a rich, caramelized flavor profile without oversaturating.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg