Short Description
Golden, crunchy sushi‑rice rectangles topped with spicy mayo‑dressed salmon, creamy avocado, jalapeño heat, and a sprinkle of sesame—elegant bite‑sized treats perfect for parties or appetizer indulgence.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Textural delight: Crunchy exterior meets tender rice and silky salmon.
- Flavor-packed: Umami-rich salmon dressed in sriracha‑mayo, balanced with soy and sesame.
- Elegant appetizer: Visually stunning and easy to serve at gatherings.
- Make-ahead convenience: Rice pressed overnight, salmon dressed in advance—assemble quickly before serving.

Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Crispy Rice
- 3 cups cooked sushi (short‑grain) rice
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Spicy Salmon
- 1 lb sushi‑grade salmon, finely chopped
- 4 Tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp Sriracha
- 2 Tbsp scallion (green onions), finely sliced
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
Serving
- Sliced avocado
- Thinly sliced jalapeño
- Black and white sesame seeds, toasted
Directions
- Prepare sushi rice:
- In a small bowl, stir rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved.
- Pour over warm cooked sushi rice; fold gently to combine evenly.
- Press and chill rice:
- Spread rice evenly in a plastic‑wrap‑lined baking pan. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Make spicy salmon:
- Chop salmon into small pieces and place in a bowl.
- Add mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, scallions, and sesame oil. Mix well and chill until serving.
- Form and fry rice:
- Remove rice slab, cut into 16 equal rectangles.
- Heat about 2 mm of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry rice rectangles until golden and crispy on both sides. Transfer to paper towels to cool.
- Assemble bites:
- Top each crispy rice piece with a slice of avocado, about 1 Tbsp of spicy salmon, and a jalapeño slice.
- Finish with a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately to retain crisp texture and fresh topping flavors.
Servings And Timing
- Yields: 16 appetizer-sized bites
- Prep Time: ~15 minutes (plus rice chilling time)
- Cook Time: ~10 minutes
- Total Time: ~4 hours 25 minutes (including chilling)
Storage/Reheating
- Crispy rice: Fry and cool, then freeze in a single layer. Reheat in a hot skillet or air fryer until crisp.
- Spicy salmon: Store dressed salmon in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day—not recommended beyond.
- Toppings: Prep avocado and jalapeño just before serving to preserve freshness.
Variations
- Tuna option: Substitute tuna for salmon.
- Creamy twist: Mix in a little cream cheese with the salmon.
- Extra zing: Add yuzu kosho or a squeeze of lime juice to the salmon.
- Crunch addition: Top with tempura flakes or crispy onions.
- Vegetarian: Replace fish with diced tofu or avocado mixture.

FAQs
1. Can I use day-old rice?
Yes—cooled rice works well. Reheat lightly before seasoning and pressing.
2. How thick should the rice layer be?
About 1 cm thick in the pan, then sliced into 16 rectangles—around ½ × 1″ each.
3. Can I bake instead of fry the rice?
Yes—bake at 200 °C (400 °F) for 15–20 minutes until crisp, flipping halfway.
4. Is salmon safe raw?
Use sushi‑grade salmon and keep it chilled. Consume within one day of purchase.
5. Can I make it gluten-free?
Substitute tamari for soy sauce and check that Kewpie mayo and sriracha are GF.
6. Can I prep toppings ahead?
You can make the salmon mix ahead, but top rice just before serving to maintain crunch.
7. My rice falls apart—help!
Ensure rice is well-pressed and compact before frying. Use a spatula to press down during fry.
8. What oil is best for frying?
Use neutral oils with high smoke point—vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
9. Can I skip jalapeño?
Yes—swap for thin cucumber or radish slices for freshness.
10. How do I reheat leftovers?
Remove toppings and reheat rice in a hot skillet until crispy. Reassemble with freshly sliced toppings.
Conclusion
Salmon Crispy Rice is a show-stopping appetizer that combines contrasting textures and bold flavors in every bite. With crunchy rice, spicy salmon, creamy avocado, and a refreshing jalapeño kick, it’s an easy make-ahead dish perfect for entertaining or indulging in elevated snacking. Enjoy immediate freshness and vibrant presentation with minimal fuss!
Print
Salmon Crispy Rice
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 appetizer bites
- Diet: Halal
Description
Crispy sushi rice squares topped with spicy mayo-dressed salmon, creamy avocado, and jalapeño—these elegant bites deliver bold flavor and texture, perfect for parties or a sophisticated snack.
Ingredients
Crispy Rice
3 cups cooked sushi (short‑grain) rice
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
Vegetable oil (for frying)
Spicy Salmon
1 lb sushi‑grade salmon, finely chopped
4 Tbsp Kewpie mayonnaise
2 Tbsp Sriracha
2 Tbsp scallions, finely sliced
2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
Serving
Sliced avocado
Thinly sliced jalapeño
Black and white sesame seeds, toasted
Instructions
- In a bowl, dissolve sugar and salt in rice vinegar. Pour over warm sushi rice and mix gently.
- Press seasoned rice into a plastic-lined pan. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Combine chopped salmon with mayonnaise, sriracha, soy sauce, scallions, and sesame oil. Chill until ready to use.
- Cut chilled rice slab into 16 rectangles. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet and fry rice pieces until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
- Top each crispy rice piece with avocado, 1 Tbsp spicy salmon, and a slice of jalapeño. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately to retain crispness.
Notes
- Use sushi-grade salmon and keep it cold until use.
- Press rice firmly to avoid crumbling during frying.
- Fry rice shortly before serving to maintain crunch.
- Substitute tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg