Sizzling Miso Butter Grilled Rice Balls Recipe: Tasty Handheld Joy

Sizzling on the grill, these miso butter grilled rice balls spark pure culinary magic that will make your taste buds dance.

Leftover rice gets a delectable second life with this ingenious technique.

Japanese street food meets gourmet cooking in a simple yet spectacular dish.

The umami-rich miso butter creates a golden, crispy exterior that seals in incredible flavor.

Sticky rice transforms into irresistible portable bites with just a few expert moves.

Each grilled rice ball promises a smoky, savory experience that bridges comfort and excitement.

Get ready to impress everyone at your next backyard gathering with these mouthwatering morsels.

Miso Grilled Rice Ball Tips & Flavor Twists

• Refrigerate cooked rice for at least 30 minutes before shaping to help rice balls hold together more effectively during grilling.
• Experiment with different seasonings like furikake, togarashi, or panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch and flavor complexity.
• Wet hands with water or use plastic wrap to prevent sticky rice from clinging to your fingers while forming triangular shapes.
• Try using a grill pan, outdoor barbecue, or even a flat griddle to achieve unique charred textures and smoky notes.
• Stuff rice balls with small pieces of cooked salmon, pickled vegetables, or soft-center eggs for surprising inner flavor bursts.

How to Present Miso Butter Rice Balls

• Elevate with Garnish Variety: Sprinkle fresh chives for a mild onion kick, add toasted sesame seeds for nutty crunch, or dust with Everything Bagel seasoning for a zesty flavor explosion.
• Create Party Platter: Arrange these golden-brown rice balls on a beautiful wooden board, allowing guests to pick their favorite version between miso and soy sauce styles.
• Perfect Side Companion: Pair these crispy rice balls with a light Japanese cucumber salad or miso soup to create a balanced, satisfying meal that highlights traditional Asian flavors.
• Dipping Sauce Delight: Serve alongside a small bowl of extra soy sauce or a quick sriracha mayo for those who love additional dipping options and personalized taste experiences.

Keeping Your Miso Grilled Rice Balls Fresh

• Batch Prep Brilliance: Prepare rice balls in advance and store them uncooked in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Wrap each rice ball individually in plastic wrap to maintain shape and prevent sticking.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Uncooked rice balls can be frozen flat in a single layer for maximum 1 month. Stack them between parchment paper sheets to prevent freezing together. Thaw completely in refrigerator before grilling.
• Refrigerator Revival: Cooked miso butter rice balls stay fresh for 3-4 days when sealed in an airtight container. Reheat gently in a skillet with a touch of butter to restore crispy exterior and warm interior.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Create a rice ball assembly station during meal prep. Invite family members to help shape and customize their own rice balls with different seasonings and toppings, turning cooking into a fun, interactive experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Need for Miso Butter Grilled Rice Balls

• Short-Grain Rice: Sticky and perfect for holding shape, select freshly harvested Japanese varieties for authentic texture.
• Water: Essential for cooking rice to fluffy and tender consistency.

• White Miso Paste: Delivers gentle, umami sweetness with delicate fermented notes.
• Mirin: Adds subtle sweetness and glossy sheen to sauce.
• Sake: Enhances depth of flavor and provides delicate alcohol undertone.
• Sugar: Balances and rounds out miso mixture's complex flavors.
• Butter: Creates rich, creamy coating with nutty undertones.

• Vegetable Oil: Ensures crispy exterior without sticking.
• Soy Sauce: Provides salty, savory alternative seasoning option.
• Chives: Adds fresh, mild onion-like garnish with bright green color.
• Sesame Seeds: Introduces nutty crunch and visual appeal.
• Everything Bagel Seasoning: Delivers complex, multi-dimensional topping with herbs and spices.
• Cling Wrap: Helps shape rice balls precisely and uniformly.

Essential Tools for Miso Butter Grilled Rice Balls

• Cast Iron Skillet: Essential for creating crispy, golden-brown rice balls with perfect caramelization.
• Cling Wrap: Helps shape rice into neat, uniform triangles without sticking to hands.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining miso, mirin, sake, and sugar into a smooth seasoning mixture.
• Cooking Spatula: Needed for flipping and brushing rice balls during grilling process.
• Rice Cooker: Ensures perfectly cooked rice for forming the grilled rice balls.
• Small Brush: Ideal for evenly coating rice balls with miso or soy sauce mixture.
• Cutting Board: Useful for final preparation and garnishing the rice balls.

Step-by-Step Guide for Grilled Rice Balls with Miso Butter

• Rice Foundation Preparation

Start with freshly cooked warm rice, allowing it to cool slightly so it’s easy to handle and shape.

• Shaping Adventure

Wet your hands with water to prevent sticking, then gently form rice into compact triangular shapes using light pressure.

• Flavor Selection

Choose between two delicious grilling styles: rich miso butter or classic soy sauce coating for your rice balls.

• Miso Butter Dream

Heat a cast iron skillet, melt butter, and carefully place rice triangles to create a golden crispy exterior, brushing with savory miso mixture during cooking.

• Soy Sauce Alternative

If preferring a traditional approach, use vegetable oil in skillet and brush rice balls with soy sauce while grilling for a caramelized finish.

• Elegant Finishing

Sprinkle with fresh chives, toasted sesame seeds, or Everything Bagel seasoning to add texture and visual appeal.

• Serving Suggestion

Enjoy immediately while rice balls are warm and crispy, perfect as a snack or side dish with Japanese-inspired meals.

Crispy Miso Butter Grilled Rice Balls Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Japanese home cooks love creating crispy miso butter grilled rice balls with leftover rice. Charred edges and umami-rich miso glaze make these onigiri irresistible for anyone seeking a quick, satisfying snack you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups uncooked short grain rice
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 tbsps (45 ml) butter
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) miso
• 1.5 tbsps (22.5 ml) everything bagel seasoning
• 1.5 tbsps (22.5 ml) vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
• 2 tsps (10 ml) mirin
• 2 tsps (10 ml) sake
• 2 tsps (10 ml) sugar
• 1 tsp (5 ml) finely chopped chives
• 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Rice Preparation: Cook sushi or short-grain rice in rice cooker until sticky, allowing to cool slightly for comfortable handling.
2. Miso Glaze Creation: Whisk miso paste, mirin, sake, and granulated sugar into a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
3. Rice Ball Shaping: Using plastic wrap, compress rice into 6 tight, triangular formations, ensuring compact structure.
4. Grilling Technique: Heat cast iron skillet over medium flame, melting unsalted butter until golden and aromatic.
5. Crisp Transformation: Position rice triangles in buttered skillet, grilling each side 60-90 seconds to develop a golden, crunchy exterior; brush generously with prepared miso glaze during rotation.
6. Flavor Enhancement: Continue cooking, caramelizing surface until deep golden brown and crispy, rotating to ensure even coverage.
7. Alternative Method: For soy sauce variation, repeat identical process using vegetable oil and soy sauce brushing technique.
8. Final Presentation: Transfer grilled rice balls to serving plate, adorning with finely chopped chives, toasted sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning.
9. Serving Recommendation: Present immediately while rice balls maintain warmth and crisp texture.

Notes

• Sticky Rice Secrets: Use short-grain or sushi rice for optimal cohesiveness and texture, ensuring rice balls hold their shape perfectly during grilling.
• Glaze Mastery: Whisk miso mixture thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated glaze that caramelizes beautifully and adds deep umami flavor.
• Handling Technique: Use plastic wrap when forming rice balls to prevent sticking and achieve tight, compact triangular shapes with clean edges.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat while grilling to develop a crispy golden-brown crust without burning the rice balls’ delicate exterior.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg