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

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.

Are rice cakes supposed to be crispy? ›

Glutinous rice cakes are chewy and slightly bouncy. Glazed with a combination of chile paste, sugar, soy sauce, and vinegar, they take on a ton of flavor. The rice cakes can be pan-fried or broiled for a crispy exterior and soft, gooey interior.

Are rice cakes sweet or savory? ›

They can be steamed, stir-fried, or grilled, prepared as a soup, appetizer, or main dish, and can be sweet or savory, depending on what kind of flavors and ingredients you like most.

Why do you soak rice cakes before cooking? ›

Soak the rice cakes: Soaking the rice cakes in cold water for at least 30 minutes before cooking can help soften them and make them less likely to break apart.

Should I soak rice cakes before cooking? ›

A good tip when cooking rice cakes (especially the sliced variety) is to pre-soak them in water. The packaged rice cakes often come vacuum-sealed and the rice cakes can sometimes stick together. Soaking the rice cakes allows them to separate and rehydrate for faster cooking.

How do you keep rice cakes crispy? ›

Once you open your rice cakes, they'll probably start to get a little stale. Keep them crisp by putting them in an airtight container and storing them in your pantry. Alternatively, just reseal the bag with a chip clip or a twist tie instead. Try to keep your rice cakes in a cool, dry spot, like your pantry.

How do you keep rice crispy cakes from getting soggy? ›

Soggy Rice Krispies Treats
  1. Increase the amount of gelatin in the recipe.
  2. Make the marshmallows ahead of time and allow them to dry out, then re-melt for rice krispies.
  3. Dust the outside of the marshmallows with powdered sugar/cornstarch mixture prior to melting.
Dec 12, 2018

Are crispy rice cakes healthy? ›

While rice cakes are low in calories (35 to 60 calories, depending on the flavor) and contain about 11 grams of carbohydrate per rice cake, they don't offer a lot of vitamins and minerals. Pritchett does indicate they can be a good snack when paired with a nut butter spread and a piece of fruit.

What's the point of eating rice cakes? ›

High Carbohydrate Content: Rice cakes are primarily composed of rice, which is a complex carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are the body's preferred source of energy during endurance activities. They provide a steady release of energy and help sustain performance over a longer duration.

How many rice cakes can I eat a day? ›

Rice cakes mostly contain carbohydrates, most often from processed white rice that is considered mostly a source of “empty calories.” While one or two cakes won't contribute a very high amount of carbs to your diet, eating more than this amount can, especially if you choose a sweetened rice cake product that's made ...

What to pair with rice cakes? ›

Try pairing rice cakes with:

Tuna or chicken salad. Avocado toast style (mashed avocado, fried egg, EBTB) Bagel and lox style (cream cheese or goat cheese, smoked salmon, sliced veggies, fresh dill and lemon) Turkey sandwich style (pickles, sliced turkey meat, avocado, sprouts)

Are rice cakes junk food? ›

Most people consider rice cakes to be a safe diet food because they do not have fat or many calories. They tend to be free from saturated fat. The total calories will vary based on the brand and type of rice cake.

Are rice cakes junk? ›

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 full of sugar? ›

Certain rice cakes, like those coated in chocolate, have a lower nutritional value. They can be high in fat, saturated fat, and sugar. Choosing a plain brown rice cake and topping it with fruit or nutritional nut butter can be healthier and more filling.

Do rice cakes need to be thawed before cooking? ›

Start by thawing the frozen rice cakes. You can do this by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight or placing them in a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes. Thawing them will make them easier to cook and prevent them from sticking together.

Do you have to thaw rice cakes before cooking? ›

They do not require thawing before cooking. What is the best cooking method for frozen Korean rice cakes? The best cooking method for frozen Korean rice cakes is steaming or boiling. This ensures that they cook evenly and maintain their soft and chewy texture.

Do you soak rice cakes in hot or cold water? ›

If you use frozen rice cake, thaw it out and soak in cold water to soften it before cooking. Remove from the heat and serve hot. If you have any leftovers, just keep them in the fridge and reheat them when you want to eat. You should finished it in a few days.

How long does it take to soften rice cakes? ›

Soak the rice cakes in warm water for 10 minutes. (If you are using fresh rice cakes that are already tender, feel free to skip this step. However, if you are using packaged rice cakes from the fridge, it is recommended to soak them to enhance their moisture level before proceeding with the recipe.)

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