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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Rice Preparation: Cook sushi or short-grain rice in rice cooker until sticky, allowing to cool slightly for comfortable handling.
- Miso Glaze Creation: Whisk miso paste, mirin, sake, and granulated sugar into a smooth, homogeneous mixture.
- Rice Ball Shaping: Using plastic wrap, compress rice into 6 tight, triangular formations, ensuring compact structure.
- Grilling Technique: Heat cast iron skillet over medium flame, melting unsalted butter until golden and aromatic.
- 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.
- Flavor Enhancement: Continue cooking, caramelizing surface until deep golden brown and crispy, rotating to ensure even coverage.
- Alternative Method: For soy sauce variation, repeat identical process using vegetable oil and soy sauce brushing technique.
- Final Presentation: Transfer grilled rice balls to serving plate, adorning with finely chopped chives, toasted sesame seeds, or everything bagel seasoning.
- 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