Crispy Rice

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Crispy Rice is a fun and delicious way to turn simple sushi rice into golden, crunchy bites. These crispy rice squares are pan-fried until perfectly crisp on the outside while staying soft and tender in the center. Serve them as a snack, appetizer, or base for your favorite toppings like tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumber, or furikake.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Chill time3

Total Time3 20

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Keyword: crispy rice, crispy rice squares, fried rice cakes, pan fried rice, sushi rice appetizer

Cooking Method: Rice Cooker, Stovetop

Diet: Dairy-Free, Vegetarian

Servings:

Calories: 347kcal

Author: MelanieCooks.com

Ingredients

1 ½ cups dry sushi rice rinsed until the water runs clear
2 cups water
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
½ cup vegetable oil to ¾ cup, for pan-frying

Instructions

Rinse the sushi rice several times until the water runs clear, then add the rice and water to a rice cooker and cook until done.
In a small bowl, mix the salt, rice vinegar, sugar, and toasted sesame oil until the sugar dissolves.
Transfer the cooked rice to a mixing bowl, pour the vinegar mixture over it, and gently stir until evenly seasoned.
Line a square baking pan with plastic wrap, add the seasoned rice, and press it into an even ½-inch thick layer.
Cover the rice and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight, until firm and easy to slice.
Remove the chilled rice from the pan, cut it into bite-sized squares or rectangles, and pat dry if there is any moisture.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then carefully add the rice pieces with space between each one.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy, then transfer to a wire rack and serve right away.

Notes

Make sure the rice is chilled before slicing and frying. Cold rice holds its shape better and is easier to cut into neat pieces.
Let the fried rice pieces cool on a wire rack instead of a plate. This helps keep them crispy instead of soggy.

Nutrition