13 Fun Onigiri Recipes
I still remember the sticky warmth of my grandmother’s onigiri in my hands during family beach outings in Japan when I was a child. She’d shape them into perfect triangles, stuffed with simple umeboshi plums or salty salmon flakes, wrapped in crisp nori. Those portable bites were more than snacks—they were love in rice form, fueling our adventures under the sun. Fast-forward to today, and onigiri has become my go-to for quick, creative meals in my busy life as a food blogger.
Lately, I’ve been on a kitchen experiment spree, twisting the classic recipe with global flavors and fun fillings to make them Instagram-worthy and utterly addictive. In a world craving convenience without sacrificing taste, these handheld delights shine: gluten-free, customizable for dietary needs, and perfect for meal prep or parties. Whether you’re a newbie or a rice-shaping pro, these 13 fun recipes will spark joy in your kitchen.
Classic Tuna Mayo Onigiri
For this timeless favorite, gather 2 cups cooked sushi rice, 1 can tuna drained, 3 tbsp Japanese mayo, 1 tsp soy sauce, chopped green onions, and nori sheets. Mix tuna, mayo, soy, and onions for the filling. Wet your hands, scoop 1/2 cup rice, flatten slightly, add 1 tbsp filling, top with more rice, and mold into a triangle. Wrap with nori.
These onigiri are protein-packed and satisfying, offering omega-3s from tuna for heart health, and they’re ready in under 10 minutes—ideal for lunchboxes.
Spicy Sriracha Salmon Onigiri
Ingredients include 2 cups sushi rice, 200g cooked salmon flaked, 2 tbsp sriracha, 1 tbsp mayo, sesame seeds, and nori. Combine salmon, sriracha, and mayo. Form rice balls around 1 tbsp filling, roll in sesame seeds, and wrap half with nori.
The heat from sriracha wakes up your taste buds while salmon delivers healthy fats; low-carb and anti-inflammatory, perfect for a post-workout boost.
Cheesy Bacon Bliss Onigiri
You’ll need 2 cups sushi rice, 4 strips cooked bacon crumbled, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, cream cheese for binding, and nori. Mix bacon and cheeses. Pack rice around the melty filling, shape into balls, and nori-wrap.
This fusion twist adds indulgent protein and calcium from cheese, balancing rice’s carbs for sustained energy—great for comfort food lovers.
Veggie Rainbow Onigiri
Prep 2 cups sushi rice, diced carrots, cucumber, avocado, bell peppers (1/2 cup each), soy sauce, and nori. Toss veggies in soy. Layer rice with colorful veggie strips inside, form triangles.
Bursting with vitamins A and C, these are vegan-friendly, fiber-rich for digestion, and visually stunning for kids or picky eaters.
Sweet Corn Delight Onigiri
Ingredients: 2 cups sushi rice, 1 cup sweet corn kernels (canned or fresh), 1 tbsp butter, furikake seasoning, nori. Sauté corn in butter, mix with furikake. Stuff into rice molds.
Naturally sweet and gluten-free, corn provides antioxidants and folate; a kid-approved, buttery treat that’s picnic-perfect.
Avocado Wasabi Onigiri
Use 2 cups sushi rice, 1 ripe avocado mashed, 1 tsp wasabi, lime juice, shrimp (optional, 100g chopped), nori. Blend avocado, wasabi, lime, and shrimp. Form creamy-filled rice triangles.
Creamy avocado offers healthy monounsaturated fats for skin glow, with wasabi’s sinus-clearing kick—refreshing and nutrient-dense.
Teriyaki Chicken Onigiri
Gather 2 cups sushi rice, 200g chicken cooked in teriyaki sauce, green onions, sesame oil, nori. Shred chicken, mix with sauce. Pack into rice balls, drizzle extra sauce.
High-protein from chicken supports muscle repair; teriyaki’s umami makes it addictive yet balanced for meal prep.
Shiitake Mushroom Umami Onigiri
Ingredients: 2 cups sushi rice, 1 cup rehydrated shiitake sliced, soy sauce, mirin, sesame seeds, nori. Sauté mushrooms in soy-mirin. Fill and shape rice.
Earthy shiitake boosts immunity with beta-glucans; vegan, low-calorie, and deeply flavorful for mushroom fans.
Kimchi Pork Onigiri
Need 2 cups sushi rice, 150g ground pork stir-fried with 1/2 cup kimchi, gochujang paste, nori. Mix pork-kimchi filling. Mold firmly.
Probiotic-rich kimchi aids gut health, paired with pork protein; spicy, fermented fun for bold palates.
Umeboshi Sour Plum Onigiri
Classic prep: 2 cups sushi rice, 6 umeboshi plums pitted, shiso leaves, nori. Place plum half in rice center with shiso, shape triangle.
Alkalizing plums detoxify and provide vitamin C; traditional, minimalist energy for long days.
Curry-Spiced Onigiri
Ingredients: 2 cups sushi rice mixed with 1 tbsp curry powder, 1/2 cup peas and carrots, yogurt sauce, nori. Stir curry into warm rice, add veggies. Form balls.
Aromatic spices like turmeric fight inflammation; fusion comfort with veggies for balanced, exotic bites.
Tofu Miso Magic Onigiri
Use 2 cups sushi rice, 200g firm tofu crumbled, 2 tbsp miso paste, green onions, nori. Mix tofu-miso. Stuff and sesame-top.
Plant-based protein powerhouse, miso ferments for probiotics; light, satisfying vegan option.
Matcha Strawberry Sweet Onigiri
For dessert: 2 cups glutinous rice (sweet variety), 1 tbsp matcha powder, 6 strawberries halved, red bean paste, pink nori. Dust rice with matcha, fill with strawberry and paste.
Antioxidant matcha pairs with vitamin C strawberries; a fun, low-sugar sweet treat to end meals sweetly.
These 13 fun onigiri recipes are your invitation to play with rice like never before—grab some sushi rice, get your hands sticky, and fill your kitchen with creativity. Whether packing for a hike or snacking at your desk, try them all and share your twists in the comments; your taste buds (and Instagram feed) will thank you!
