Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice (Printable Version)

Crispy rice squares topped with a creamy, spicy tuna mixture and avocado for a savory snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crispy Rice

01 - 1 cup sushi rice
02 - 1 1/4 cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - Vegetable oil for frying

→ Spicy Tuna

07 - 6 ounces sushi-grade tuna, finely diced
08 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Kewpie)
09 - 1 tablespoon Sriracha
10 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce
11 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil
12 - 1 teaspoon finely chopped green onion
13 - 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Topping and Garnish

14 - 1/2 avocado, sliced or diced
15 - 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds (optional)
16 - Thinly sliced green onion (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Rinse sushi rice under cold water until clear. Combine rice and water in saucepan, bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
02 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds until dissolved. Gently fold into cooked rice and cool to room temperature.
03 - Line an 8x8-inch pan with plastic wrap. Press the cooled rice evenly about 3/4 inch thick. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
04 - Combine diced tuna, mayonnaise, Sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onion, and toasted sesame seeds in a bowl. Mix gently and refrigerate until use.
05 - Lift rice slab from pan, cut into 16 equal squares.
06 - Heat vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet to 350°F (180°C) about 1/2 inch deep. Fry rice pieces in batches, 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels and let cool slightly.
07 - Top each crispy rice square with a spoonful of spicy tuna, add a piece of avocado, and sprinkle with black sesame seeds and green onion if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Restaurant-quality appetizers that cost a fraction of the price and taste even better
  • The perfect balance of textures: crispy rice, creamy tuna, buttery avocado
  • Impressive enough for dinner parties but simple enough for a Tuesday night craving
02 -
  • Do not skip chilling the rice — warm or room temperature rice will fall apart in the hot oil
  • Pat the tuna mixture gently onto the rice instead of pressing it down to keep the texture light
  • Work quickly once the rice is fried because it loses its crunch as it sits
03 -
  • Pat the drained rice squares dry with paper towels before frying to minimize splattering
  • Let the fried rice cool for at least two minutes before topping so the tuna does not warm up
  • Buy the tuna the same day you plan to serve these for the freshest flavor
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