Description
A simple recipe for crispy rice made from sushi rice that’s seasoned, chilled, cut, and pan-fried to golden perfection. This versatile snack or side can be enjoyed on its own or topped with your favorite ingredients like spicy tuna or avocado.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 2 cups sushi rice (or any short-grain rice)
- 2 1/2 cups water
Seasoning
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
For Frying
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, vegetable, or sesame oil)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch and prevent stickiness. In a pot, combine the rinsed rice with water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for another 10 minutes.
- Season the Rice: In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Gently fold this mixture into the cooked rice to add flavor and help the rice stick together for frying.
- Chill the Rice: Transfer the rice to a shallow pan or baking dish and press down firmly to create an even layer about 1-inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up the rice, making it easier to cut and crisp.
- Cut the Rice: Remove the chilled rice from the pan and cut it into squares or rectangles. This allows for even frying and creates the signature crispy rice bites.
- Pan-Fry Until Golden: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the rice pieces carefully in the pan, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the crispy rice as is, or top with spicy tuna, avocado slices, or a drizzle of soy sauce for added flavor.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice is key to achieving the perfect texture and preventing stickiness.
- Allowing the rice to chill fully improves firmness for frying crispiness.
- You can customize toppings to turn this snack into a bite-sized appetizer or side dish.
- Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point for frying to avoid burning.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure soy sauce (if used) is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack, Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Cooling, Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: crispy rice, sushi rice, fried rice squares, Japanese snack, rice appetizer
