Description
Japanese rice balls crisp up beautifully in an air fryer, creating a golden exterior with a tender center. Savory soy glaze and buttery texture make these onigiri an irresistible snack you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 300 grams (10.6 ounces) Cooked rice
- 1 slice Mozzarella cheese
Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Mirin
- 1 tablespoon Sake
Additional Ingredient:
- Water (small bowl for wetting hands when shaping onigiri)
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse hands with cool water to create a moisture barrier, preventing rice from adhering to fingers during shaping.
- Carefully mold approximately of freshly cooked, steaming rice into a triangular shape using either manual techniques or a dedicated onigiri mold.
- Craft exactly three triangular rice formations, ensuring uniform size and compact structure.
- Arrange the rice triangles inside the air fryer basket, maintaining sufficient spacing between each piece.
- Configure the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) and initiate cooking for 15 minutes.
- Midway through the cooking cycle, delicately rotate each rice triangle to guarantee even browning and crisp exterior.
- Remove the onigiri and generously brush both surfaces with prepared soy sauce mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Return the coated rice triangles to the air fryer and continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes to develop caramelization.
- Repeat the coating and brief air frying process two more times, creating layers of flavor and developing characteristic charred regions.
- Monitor the onigiri closely to prevent excessive burning, adjusting cooking time if necessary.
- Plate the yaki onigiri immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and crisp texture.
- Serve and savor the delectable Japanese-inspired rice delicacy.
Notes
- Wet hands with water before shaping rice to prevent sticking and create smooth onigiri surfaces.
- Use hot, freshly cooked rice for best texture and easier molding when forming triangular shapes.
- Aim for consistent triangle sizes around 100g each to ensure even cooking in the air fryer.
- Flip onigiri halfway through initial cooking to achieve golden-brown crispy exterior on all sides.
- Carefully brush soy sauce mixture multiple times for deep caramelization and rich umami flavor without burning.
- Watch closely during final coating stages to prevent excessive charring while developing delicious crispy edges.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg