Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls) 焼きおにぎり

Yaki onigiri or grilled rice balls seasoned with soy sauce and grilled until crispy.

5 from 79 votes

Yaki Onigiri (Grilled Rice Balls) 焼きおにぎり

Yaki onigiri (焼きおにぎり) or Japanese grilled rice balls are an easy and popular snack or lunch in Japan. They're grilled, pan-fried, or roasted until the outside crust has a crispy texture while the rice inside is soft and fluffy. Yaki onigiri can be flavored with various seasonings including soy sauce, miso butter, or teriyaki sauce!

Prep Time2

Total Time5

Course: lunch, Snack

Cuisine: Japanese

Servings:

Calories: 211kcal

Equipment

Onigiri Mold

Ingredients

2 cups cooked rice short or medium-grain; warm
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
soy sauce

Instructions

Shape Rice Ball

Shape by hand: Wet your hands with water and take about ⅓ to ½ cup of warm rice in your hands. Using both hands, firmly press the rice into a triangular shape.
Shape with mold: Fill the mold with the appropriate amount of rice and firmly press to create your shape.
2 cups cooked rice

Grill

Heat a pan over medium heat and add the oil. Grill each side of the rice ball until a crispy, golden-brown crust forms. Avoid flipping often to keep the shape intact.
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

Season with sauce

Lower to low heat and brush one side with soy sauce and flip to caramelize the sauce slightly. Check after 15 to 30 seconds as it can easily burn. Brush the other side with soy sauce and flip to caramelize that side. Serve and optionally sprinkle with furikake while still hot. Enjoy!
soy sauce

Notes

Makes 4 to 6 yaki onigiri.

More Sauce ideas :

Teriyaki sauce
Miso butter - Mix 1 tablespoon of miso and butter together with a pinch of sugar. Thin with water until a smooth paste forms.

Make-ahead and storage: Store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month. To reheat, cover with a damp paper towel and microwave for 20 seconds at a time, or toast in the oven.

Tips:

Short or medium-grain rice is required as its sticky nature helps shape the yaki onigiri without falling apart. Long-grain rice such as Jasmine rice isn't sticky enough.
Using warm rice helps it hold its shape as cold rice isn't very sticky.
Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking.
If adding any filling, create an indentation and then cover completely with rice.
Use fillings that are low in moisture to prevent the rice from getting soggy.

Nutrition