14 Fun Onigiri Recipes for Snacks

Growing up in a Japanese-American household, my fondest childhood memories revolve around weekends at the park, where my mom would unpack her bento box filled with perfectly shaped onigiri. Those rice balls, wrapped in crisp nori and stuffed with simple fillings like pickled plums or flaky salmon, were more than just snacks—they were portable bites of comfort that fueled our games until sunset. The ritual of pressing the rice into triangles with wet hands felt like magic, turning everyday ingredients into treasures.

Lately, I’ve been on a kitchen adventure reviving that tradition with a modern twist. During a rainy week of work-from-home experiments, I whipped up batches of onigiri using bold, global flavors—from spicy kimchi to creamy avocado mash-ups. Not only did they satisfy my snack cravings without the guilt, but they also became my go-to for quick energy boosts during Zoom calls. In today’s fast-paced world, onigiri are the ultimate snack hero: nutritious, customizable, and endlessly fun to shape into stars, hearts, or quirky characters.

Classic Umeboshi Onigiri

Onigiri staples don’t get more timeless than this sour-sweet delight. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups cooked sushi rice, 4 umeboshi plums (pitted), salt, nori sheets, sesame seeds.
Mix rice with a pinch of salt. Pit the umeboshi and chop roughly. Wet your hands, place a small rice ball in your palm, add plum filling, and mold into a triangle or ball. Wrap with nori. These pack vitamin C from plums and probiotics for gut health, making them a refreshing, low-cal snack (under 150 calories each).

Spicy Tuna Onigiri

Ignite your taste buds with this fiery favorite. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, 1 can tuna (drained), 1 tbsp sriracha, 1 tsp mayo, salt, nori.
Combine tuna, sriracha, and mayo. Salt the rice lightly, form a base, add 1 tsp filling, and shape firmly. Slice nori to wrap halfway. Omega-3s from tuna boost brain health, while the spice revs metabolism—perfect for an energizing mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Teriyaki Chicken Onigiri

Sweet-savory fusion that’s kid-approved. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, 1 cup cooked shredded chicken, 2 tbsp teriyaki sauce, salt, nori, green onions.
Toss chicken in teriyaki and chop green onions. Season rice, mound filling in center, and press into compact balls. Garnish with nori strips. High in protein for sustained energy, these are great post-workout snacks that feel indulgent yet wholesome.

Avocado Wasabi Onigiri

Creamy cool meets sinus-clearing heat. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, 1 ripe avocado, 1 tsp wasabi, lime juice, salt, nori.
Mash avocado with wasabi and lime. Salt rice, add 1 tbsp filling per onigiri, shape into hearts for fun. Wrap partially in nori. Heart-healthy fats from avocado promote satiety, turning this into a vegan snack powerhouse.

Kimchi Fried Rice Onigiri

K-Pop your snacks with Korean flair. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice mixed with ½ cup chopped kimchi and 1 tsp sesame oil, salt, nori.
Stir-fry kimchi briefly, fold into warm salted rice. Form tight triangles. Probiotic-rich kimchi aids digestion, and the crunch adds texture for a satisfying, low-carb crunch without frying.

Salmon Furikake Onigiri

Elevate with crunchy topping magic. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, ½ cup flaked smoked salmon, 2 tbsp furikake seasoning, salt, nori.
Layer salmon in salted rice balls, roll edges in furikake, wrap nori. Antioxidant-packed salmon supports immunity, and furikake adds umami without extra calories.

Veggie Rainbow Onigiri

A burst of color for picky eaters. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, diced carrots, edamame, corn (½ cup total), salt, nori.
Blanch veggies, mix into salted rice or use as center filling, shape into stars. Fiber from veggies fills you up, making these nutrient-dense snacks ideal for lunchboxes.

Sweet Potato Miso Onigiri

Cozy autumn vibes in a bite. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, 1 mashed sweet potato, 1 tsp miso paste, salt, nori.
Blend sweet potato with miso, fold into salted rice, form ovals. Beta-carotene boosts skin health, and it’s naturally sweet for guilt-free satisfaction.

Shrimp Tempura Onigiri

Crispy indulgence, snack-style. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, 8 small tempura shrimp, salt, nori, soy sauce dip.
Place one shrimp per rice ball (salted), press gently, wrap nori. Protein punch from shrimp curbs hunger, with crunch for fun texture.

Egg Salad Onigiri

Picnic classic, Japanese-twisted. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs, 1 tsp mayo, salt, nori.
Mix eggs with mayo, center in salted rice, shape triangles. Choline-rich eggs enhance focus, a brainy snack for study sessions.

Curry Chicken Onigiri

Spice route adventure. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, ½ cup curry-flavored shredded chicken, salt, nori.
Prep mild curry chicken, embed in salted rice balls, wrap. Anti-inflammatory spices aid digestion, pairing rice’s carbs for balanced energy.

Cheese and Bacon Bits Onigiri

Fusion comfort food. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, ¼ cup shredded cheddar, 2 tbsp bacon bits, salt, nori.
Sprinkle cheese and bacon in salted rice, mold firmly. Protein-fat combo sustains longer, a fun treat for cheese lovers.

Mushroom Umami Onigiri

Earthy vegan star. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, ½ cup sautéed shiitake mushrooms, soy sauce dash, salt, nori.
Sauté mushrooms, fill salted rice, shape. Immunity-boosting mushrooms make this a health-focused, meat-free delight.

Matcha Cream Cheese Onigiri

Sweet snack closer. Ingredients (makes 4): 2 cups sushi rice, ¼ cup matcha cream cheese, salt, nori.
Blend matcha into cream cheese, center in lightly sweetened salted rice, ball shapes. Antioxidants from matcha energize sweetly without sugar overload.

These 14 fun onigiri recipes are your ticket to snack heaven—easy to prep ahead, endlessly customizable, and bursting with flavor. Grab some rice, get your hands sticky, and start shaping your favorites today; your taste buds (and snack drawer) will thank you!