Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice (Printable Version)

Crispy sushi rice topped with spicy tuna and scallions. Savory, creamy, and bold appetizer for sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Sushi Rice

01 - 1 cup sushi rice
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Spicy Tuna Mixture

06 - 6 ounces sushi-grade tuna, finely diced
07 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Japanese Kewpie)
08 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha or hot sauce
09 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
10 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
11 - 1 teaspoon finely chopped scallions
12 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

→ Crispy Rice & Garnish

13 - 1/3 cup neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola, for frying
14 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (optional)
15 - 1–2 scallions, thinly sliced
16 - 1 avocado, thinly sliced (optional)
17 - Microgreens or nori strips (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Rinse sushi rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a saucepan, combine rice with 1 1/4 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Gently fold mixture into the cooked rice. Spread rice onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and shape into a rectangle about 1 inch thick. Allow to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight until very firm.
03 - Combine diced tuna, mayonnaise, Sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil, scallions, and lemon juice in a bowl. Mix gently. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
04 - Once rice is firm, cut into 16 rectangles or squares. Heat neutral oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry rice pieces in batches, 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Transfer fried rice to paper towels to drain excess oil.
05 - Arrange crispy rice cakes on a serving platter. Top each with a spoonful of spicy tuna mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced scallions, avocado, and microgreens or nori strips if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy texture meets creamy spicy topping every bite is interesting
  • Perfect for parties and always gets rave reviews
  • Uses simple pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients
  • Can be prepped ahead for easy last-minute assembly
02 -
  • Great balance of protein carbs and healthy fats
  • Can be made gluten-free with tamari in place of soy sauce
  • Leftover rice cakes actually re crisp beautifully in the oven
03 -
  • Fry the rice cakes only after they are completely chilled for best structure do not rush this step
  • Use a damp knife to cut the rice it helps avoid sticking and gives the cleanest edges
  • Taste the spicy tuna and adjust heat as you like sometimes I add a smidge more Sriracha for spice lovers

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