Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (2024)

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Crispy soy rice cakes are topped with homemade spicy tuna and diced chives for a delicious, Japanese dish, perfect for a sushi dinner!

Welcome to the second recipe from what I now lovingly refer to as “Ahi Week”!

After purchasing a large amount of Ahi Tuna at the Whole Foods Del Mar grand opening, I first headed home and whipped up these delicious Mango Avocado Ahi Poke Fillo Baskets.

Next on the list to make was my sushi restaurant favorite and yours, Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes.

And just how do I know they’re your favorite? Because I worked at a sushi restaurant in college and trust me, they are everyone’s favorite!

This post contains the making of three different recipes:

  1. Spicy tuna
  2. Sushi rice
  3. Crispy rice cakes

At the end, they will all be combined into these delicious little sushi favorites!

Spicy Tuna Ingredients

  • 1 lb sushi-grade ahi tuna
  • 2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp hot chili oil
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise orVegenaiseSpicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (5)
  • 1 tbsp chives (chopped)

Spicy Tuna Instructions

Begin by gently dicing the ahi tuna, then add it to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow the spicy flavors to soak into the ahi.

Meanwhile, prepare the sushi rice, then rice cakes.

Sushi Rice Ingredients

(Recipe adapted fromFood Network)

  • 2 cups sushi or short grain rice
  • 2 cups water, plus extra for rinsing rice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (for the rice cakes)
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil (for cooking rice cakes)

Begin by rinsing the sushi rice well, then combining the rice and 2 cups of water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and cover. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat, keep the rice covered away from the heat for 10 minutes.

Next, combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.

Place the cooked rice in a glass bowl and add the vinegar mixture to the rice, combining well.

Allow the rice to cool, then form the rice into small rectangles using your hands, a cookie cutter or this sweet little contraption, also known as a sushi rice mold.

This nifty little tool was part of the “Sushi Party Kit” I picked up at the Japanese Market for $3.50. Have I mentioned how much I love that place?

Once the rice is formed into tight rectangular shapes, cook them lightly on each side over medium heat with 1 tbsp of sesame oil.

Remove from the skillet and dip the rice cakes into the soy sauce.

Next, cook the rice cakes for an additional 2-3 minutes in 1 tbsp sesame oil on each side or until crisp and golden brown.

Remove from the skillet and top with the spicy tuna, then garnish with additional chopped chives.

These scrumptious little bites are just as good as the ones you get in the restaurant and probably even better because of all the tender, love and care that you put into making them at home! 😉

Try these with other sushi restaurant favorites such as shish*to peppers and miso japanese eggplant.

Favorite Whitney Bond Recipes

  • Bacon Meatloaf
  • Thai Yellow Curry
  • Chili Seasoning Recipe
  • Buffalo Chicken Pasta
  • Shish*to Pepper Recipe
  • Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe
  • Pumpkin Cresent Rolls
  • Candy Cake Recipe

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (19)

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Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes

Crispy soy rice cakes are topped with homemade spicy tuna and diced chives for a delicious, Japanese dish, perfect for a sushi dinner!

Servings: 24 spicy tuna rice cakes

Prep Time: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Author: Whitney Bond

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

Spicy Tuna

  • 1 lb sushi-grade ahi tuna
  • 2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp hot chili oil
  • 1/4 cup vegenaise, or mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp chives, chopped

Sushi Rice

  • 2 cups sushi or short grain rice
  • 2 cups water, plus extra for rinsing rice
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar, or white wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt

Rice Cakes

Instructions

Spicy Tuna

  • Gently dice the ahi, then adding the rest of the ingredients to the tuna and mixing well.

  • Place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes.

Sushi Rice

  • Rinse the rice well, then combine the rice and 2 cups of water in a medium pot.

  • Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low and cover.

  • Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat, keep the rice covered away from the heat for 10 minutes.

  • Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and microwave for 30 seconds.

  • Place the cooked rice in a glass bowl and add the vinegar mixture to the rice, combining well.

Rice Cakes

  • Allow the rice to cool, then tightly form into small rectangles.

  • Cook them lightly on each side in a skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp of sesame oil.

  • Remove from the skillet and dip the rice cakes into the soy sauce.

  • Cook the rice cakes for an additional 2-3 minutes in 1 tbsp sesame oil on each side or until crisp and golden brown.

  • Remove from the skillet and top with the spicy tuna, then garnish with additional chopped chives.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 123kcal (6%)Carbohydrates 14g (5%)Protein 5g (10%)Fat 4g (6%)Cholesterol 7mg (2%)Sodium 612mg (26%)Potassium 71mg (2%)Sugar 1g (1%)Vitamin A 420mg (8%)Vitamin C 0.9mg (1%)Calcium 5mg (1%)Iron 0.6mg (3%)

Did you make this recipe?Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!

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Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe - WhitneyBond.com (2024)

FAQs

What makes rice cakes taste better? ›

Top rice cakes with your favorite nut butter, bananas, cinnamon and pepitas (pumpkin seeds).

Are rice cakes crunchy? ›

Crispy rice has a revered place in many cultures. These rice cakes, which work well as a side dish to a piece of grilled meat or fish, offer the delicious crunch of Korean nurunji or Middle eastern hkaka, with some of the herbed cheesy goodness of Italian arancini.

Is spicy tuna crispy rice gluten free? ›

Nothing beats these homemade spicy tuna crispy rice bites made with fresh ahi tuna and sushi rice. Cook the crispy rice on the stovetop or in the air fryer, for the perfect appetizer! They're healthy, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

How to cook store bought rice cakes? ›

Prepare the rice cakes according to packaging directions. Per my rice cake instructions: wash rice cakes with cold water. In a large pot of boiling water, add 1 tbs salt. Add rice cakes and cook for 10 minutes.

What are the cons of rice cakes? ›

What are the disadvantages of including rice cakes in the diet?
  • Rice is a high glycemic index grain even when it's eaten as a whole grain (brown), so it may spike blood sugar levels. ...
  • Most rice cakes do contain added salt. ...
  • They are not nutrient-dense foods and are not considered a healthy replacement.

Are rice cakes healthier than bread? ›

Rice cakes may be lower in calories than bread but also lower in fiber and other important nutrients. Plain, whole grain brown rice varieties may be slightly healthier, but this gluten-free food is still likely to spike your blood sugar. To balance this effect, it's best to pair rice cakes with protein and fiber.

Are rice cakes junk food? ›

Eating rice cakes every day may not be healthy if you only consume ones made of refined grains, like white rice, that are high in added sugar. You may be able to add plain brown rice cakes, paired with healthy fats and lean proteins, to a balanced diet and increase your fiber intake.

Are rice cakes healthy for weight loss? ›

They may be low in calories, about 35 a pop, but when eaten alone they can actually sabotage weight loss. If you look at the Nutrition Facts Label on a package of rice cakes, you'll see a whole lot of nothing.

Do you need to soak rice cakes before cooking? ›

If the rice cakes are freshly made and soft they do not need to be soaked. Otherwise, soak them in warm water for 10-20 minutes to rehydrate them a bit. Some rice cakes that have been refrigerated or frozen are very dry. These can be soaked for a few hours to overnight.

Which sushi fish is healthiest? ›

Try to use healthier types of fish like salmon and Pacific chub mackerel, which are low in mercury, for sushi rolls. Avoid King mackerel which is high in mercury. 7 Additionally, choose low-sodium soy sauce and go for other healthy flavor enhancers like wasabi or pickled ginger (gari).

Why is spicy tuna not gluten free? ›

Soy Sauce and Other Added Ingredients

“Spicy” rolls, such as spicy tuna or spicy salmon rolls, may also contain hidden gluten ingredients and spices, depending on how they are made. With wasabi, which adds a spicy kick, the version used in the United States is often not the real thing and may contain gluten.

How many calories are in spicy tuna crispy rice? ›

Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
Calories:190
% Daily Value*
Total Fat: 8g10%
Saturated Fat: 1g
7 more rows

Do store bought rice cakes go bad? ›

Eat the rice cakes within 1 year.

If you haven't opened your rice cakes, you might be able to keep them around for a little longer. You should still try to store them in a cool, dry spot so they don't get moist or stale. If your rice cakes have an expiration date on them, it's usually accurate for unopened packages.

Why do my rice cakes crack? ›

The cause of cracks may be that the surface of the rice cake dries. Even if it is in individual wrapping, moisture may escape from the rice cake due to temperature changes, causing the surface to dry and cracking.

How do you keep rice cakes crisp? ›

The dry, crunchy texture of a stale rice cake is a result of moisture evaporating from the rice cake and the starches hardening. Exposure to air and humidity can accelerate the process. Storing rice cakes in a airtight container or resealable bag can help slow down the staleness.

How do you make rice cakes less boring? ›

You can spread butter/jam/cream cheese or anything else that you like on them. It's also great to use them as a sandwich and put some ham and cheese between them. They're definitely healthier than most sandwiches and have less calories.

What's the best thing to put on rice cakes? ›

Deli Meat - For a savory option, top a rice cake with cheese and any kind of deli meat! Yogurt - Any flavor and kind of yogurt can be spread on a rice cake for a high-protein sweet option. Spices and seasonings - Choose your favorite kind of spices and seasonings for your rice cake snacks!

Why are Korean rice cakes so good? ›

A dusting of red mung bean grinds or roasted soybean powder gives these remarkably soft morsels of pounded rice dough a delightfully nutty flavor. In stores, you'll often find them in airtight cellophane packaging, which preserves their light, airy texture.

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