Vegan Grilled Rice Ball (Yaki Onigiri)
Elevate your snack or appetizer game with these irresistibly crispy Vegan Grilled Rice Balls, known as Yaki Onigiri! Perfectly seasoned with a savory blend of soy sauce and sesame oil, these Japanese-inspired rice balls are grilled to golden-brown perfection, creating a delightfully crunchy exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender. Made with short-grain rice and finished with a sprinkle of nutty sesame seeds, this plant-based recipe is not just delicious but also gluten-free and customizable—wrap them in nori for an extra umami hit! Ready in just 30 minutes, these grilled rice balls are ideal as a snack, side dish, or lunchbox addition. Easy to make and packed with mouthwatering flavors, Yaki Onigiri is sure to become your go-to vegan comfort food!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups short-grain rice
- 2.5 cups water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- None optional for garnish nori or seaweed sheets
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the short-grain rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps to remove excess starch.
Step 2
In a rice cooker or saucepan, combine the rinsed rice with 2.5 cups of water. If using a saucepan, bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it sit, covered, for another 10 minutes to steam.
Step 3
Once the rice is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Allow it to cool slightly until you can handle it comfortably.
Step 4
Dampen your hands with water to prevent sticking, then take a handful of rice (about 1/2 cup) and shape it into a firm ball or triangle. Repeat with the remaining rice to make a total of 8 balls.
Step 5
In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce and sesame oil together.
Step 6
Preheat a non-stick grill pan over medium heat. Lightly oil it if necessary.
Step 7
Place the rice balls on the grill pan. Grill each side for about 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. During the last minute of grilling each side, brush the tops with the soy sauce and sesame oil mixture to add flavor and a beautiful glaze.
Step 8
Sprinkle with sesame seeds while grilling to enhance the nutty flavor.
Step 9
Remove from the grill and serve warm. You can wrap a strip of nori around each rice ball for added taste and texture, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1055g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 713.6 |
| Total Fat 19.8g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 3.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 5.9g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1175.0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 118.7g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 2.9g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 0.6g | |
| Protein 14.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 173.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 2.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 294.8mg | 0% |
Source of Calories