Soy-Free Grilled Rice Ball (Yaki Onigiri)

Elevate your snack game with these Soy-Free Grilled Rice Balls (Yaki Onigiri)—a modern twist on a Japanese classic! Made with tender short-grain rice, these onigiri are grilled to golden perfection and coated in a mouthwatering soy-free glaze crafted from sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and a hint of gochujang for a subtly spicy kick. Wrapped in crisp nori and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, they deliver a perfect balance of smoky, savory, and sweet flavors. Whether served as a light appetizer or a satisfying snack, these handheld delights are gluten-free, soy-free, and absolutely irresistible!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Short-grain rice
• 2.5 cups Water
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 2 tablespoons Sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Gochujang paste
• 2 sheets Nori sheets
• 2 tablespoons Chopped green onions
• 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the short-grain rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.

Step 2

Combine the rinsed rice and water in a medium-sized pot. Let it soak for about 30 minutes if you have time, then bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.

Step 3

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 12-15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 4

Remove the rice from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 10 more minutes to finish cooking with steam.

Step 5

Fluff the rice with a fork, then season it with salt and let it cool slightly to a manageable temperature.

Step 6

Meanwhile, prepare the soy-free glaze by combining sesame oil, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and gochujang paste in a small bowl. Stir until fully incorporated.

Step 7

Cut the nori sheets into strips about 1-inch wide.

Step 8

Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking, then scoop about 1/3 cup of cooked rice into your hand. Shape the rice into a tight ball or triangle, pressing gently but firmly.

Step 9

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Lightly oil the pan with a bit of sesame oil if desired.

Step 10

Place the rice balls in the pan and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they form a golden crust.

Step 11

Brush each rice ball with the prepared glaze and continue grilling for additional 1-2 minutes per side, allowing the glaze to caramelize.

Step 12

Remove rice balls from the pan, wrap each one with a strip of nori, and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.

Step 13

Serve warm as a snack or appetizer!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1082.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	891.0

Total Fat 34.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 13.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1382.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 133.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.9g	0%
Total Sugars 14.8g
Protein 12.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 96.0mg	0%
Iron 1.9mg	0%
Potassium 292.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.7%

Protein: 5.6%

Carbs: 59.7%