Air Fryer Yaki Onigiri- using leftover rice
I love using leftover rice because it’s a versatile ingredient to cook with. Whenever we have leftover rice, my husband always likes to make fried rice. However, if you think that you can only use it to cook fried rice, think again! This time I’m using leftover rice to make some grilled onigiri but in the air fryer!
I also made a teriyaki sauce to brush onto the onigiri to give it more flavour! Once it’s in the air fryer it’s slightly crispy with a smoky teriyaki sauce from the air fryer. Soo delicious!
What is onigiri?
Onigiri is a Japanese term for rice balls, although it’s mostly made into triangle shape. It’s filled with fillings like tuna, salmon or pickled vegetables. It’s meant to be a meal on the go and way to use leftover rice in Japan. Onigiri is often featured in lunch boxes or bento boxes. You can also find it some convenience stores as well. It’s gotten very popular that you can find restaurants in Japan that specializes in onigiri!
When Yaki is mentioned it means grilled. Thus, yaki onigiri is grilled rice ball. Why grill your rice ball? Well grilling your onigiri just adds more flavour to the rice ball. The grilled and crispy rice also add texture to the onigiri. In addition, you can brush a sauce onto the onigiri which enhances the flavour.
This is why I’m doing a yaki onigiri because it adds some much more flavour and texture to the leftover rice. While I’m calling it grilled, I’m actually using the air fryer to achieve the similar results. I like how easy the cleanup and usage of the air fryer. Besides it is still delicious! However, if you have the means and time, grill the onigiri, it’s definitely worth a try.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups leftover white rice
- 2 1/2 tbsp furikake seasoning
- 1/4 cup frozen corn
- 1/3 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup of mayo (Japanese mayo preferred)
- 1 canned tuna (optional)
- 1 nori sheet, cut into long strips
Teriyaki sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp of honey
- 1/2 tsp sugar (optional if you like it more sweet)
How to make it
- Put the leftover rice into a bowl. If it is too hard, add a bit of water and microwave for about 1 minute
- Add in diced tuna, corn, carrots, shredded cheese, furikake and mayo into the bowl. Mix together. Add canned tuna if you want to add it.
- Take a small piece of the rice, flatten it and add a bit more shredded cheese. Add another rice on top and shape it into a triangle shape or any shape that you like
- Then wrap onigiri with a nori sheets.
- Make the teriyaki sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, ketchup, honey together.
- Place the onigiri into the air fryer, space them out. Brush on the teriyaki sauce Heat on 170oC/340oF for 10 minutes. Flip half way and brush on more teriyaki sauce.
Pro-tip
- If you left the rice in the fridge overnight, pour a bit of water over the rice and microwave 1-2 minutes. Just a 1-2 tbsp of water is enough.
- If you don’t like tuna, then add in some finely chopped sausage or hot dog instead.
Air Fryer Yaki Onigiri
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover white rice
- 2ยฝ tbsp furikake seasoning
- 1/4 cup frozen corn
- 1/3 cup shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup mayo Japanese mayo preferred
- 1 canned tuna optional
- 1 nori sheet cut into long strips
Teriyaki Sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp honey
- ยฝ tsp sugar if you prefer it more sweet
Instructions
- Put the leftover rice into a bowl. If it is too hard, add a bit of water and microwave for about 1 minute
- Add in diced tuna, corn, carrots, shredded cheese, furikake, black pepper and mayo into the bowl. Mix together.
- Take a small piece of the rice, flatten it and add a bit more shredded cheese. Add another rice on top and shape it into a triangle shape or any shape that you like
- Then wrap onigiri with a nori sheets.
- Make the teriyaki sauce by combining soy sauce, oyster sauce, ketchup, honey together.
- Place the onigiri into the air fryer, space them out. Brush on the teriyaki sauce Heat on 170oC/340oF for 10 minutes. Flip half way and brush on more teriyaki sauce.
