Cheesy Yaki Onigiri
Cheesy Yaki Onigiri
Ingredients
For the Onigiri
- 2 cups cooked short grain white rice, from 2 instant rice cups
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons mozzarella, shredded
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for cooking, or as needed
For the Glaze
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
For Garnish
- 1 tablespoon furikake, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the short grain white rice according to package directions (if using instant rice cups) and transfer it to a medium mixing bowl. Pour in the 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and mix gently until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Divide the seasoned rice into four equal portions. Take one portion and flatten it into a palm-sized disk. Place 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella in the center of the rice disk. Cover the mozzarella with another equal-sized clump of rice. Gently squeeze the rice together into a ball to seal the cheese inside, then carefully mold it into a triangular shape. Repeat this process for the remaining three onigiri, using 1 tablespoon of mozzarella for each.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to a large non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet and heat over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the shaped onigiri into the pan. Cook each side for 5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
While the onigiri are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Once the onigiri have cooked for 5 minutes on each side, use a food-safe brush to generously brush the soy sauce and sugar glaze onto one side of each onigiri. Quickly flip them so the glazed side is down in the pan. Immediately brush the other side with the glaze. Cook the glazed side for 30-45 seconds, being careful not to burn the sugar. Flip them back over and cook the newly glazed side for another 30-45 seconds. The glaze should be slightly caramelized. Transfer the onigiri to a serving plate.
⏱️ 4 min
- 6
Sprinkle the cooked onigiri generously with furikake, to taste.
- 7
Serve immediately and enjoy the crispy exterior, sweet and savory glaze, and gooey melted cheese interior!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Yaki Onigiri
For the Onigiri
- 2 cups cooked short grain white rice, from 2 instant rice cups
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons mozzarella, shredded
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, for cooking, or as needed
For the Glaze
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
For Garnish
- 1 tablespoon furikake, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the short grain white rice according to package directions (if using instant rice cups) and transfer it to a medium mixing bowl. Pour in the 1 teaspoon of sesame oil and mix gently until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Divide the seasoned rice into four equal portions. Take one portion and flatten it into a palm-sized disk. Place 1 tablespoon of shredded mozzarella in the center of the rice disk. Cover the mozzarella with another equal-sized clump of rice. Gently squeeze the rice together into a ball to seal the cheese inside, then carefully mold it into a triangular shape. Repeat this process for the remaining three onigiri, using 1 tablespoon of mozzarella for each.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to a large non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet and heat over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the shaped onigiri into the pan. Cook each side for 5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
While the onigiri are cooking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, combine the 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Once the onigiri have cooked for 5 minutes on each side, use a food-safe brush to generously brush the soy sauce and sugar glaze onto one side of each onigiri. Quickly flip them so the glazed side is down in the pan. Immediately brush the other side with the glaze. Cook the glazed side for 30-45 seconds, being careful not to burn the sugar. Flip them back over and cook the newly glazed side for another 30-45 seconds. The glaze should be slightly caramelized. Transfer the onigiri to a serving plate.
⏱️ 4 min - 6
Sprinkle the cooked onigiri generously with furikake, to taste.
- 7
Serve immediately and enjoy the crispy exterior, sweet and savory glaze, and gooey melted cheese interior!