Allergen Info
Let’s dive into one of our family’s favorite on-the-go snacks: Japanese rice balls, or onigiri! You won’t believe how versatile, fun, and easy these little bundles are. Shaun’s been a fan for years, and we recently realized they are the perfect allergy-friendly snack! Ryder loves these too—his current favorites are tuna with mayo and avocado. Onigiri has become our go-to for packed lunches, road trips, and even airport layovers—it’s a great handheld option and completely customizable to your unique needs. Just a little heads up: while they’re convenient, they can get a bit messy if they aren’t packed tightly enough.
What is Onigiri? A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Rice Balls
Onigiri, also known as Japanese rice balls, is a staple in Japanese cuisine. Made with seasoned sticky rice, they’re often wrapped in a sheet of nori (seaweed) and shaped into fun forms like triangles, balls, or cylinders. Traditionally enjoyed for their simplicity and portability, they can also be decorated to add a playful twist! Using specialty nori cutting tools, you can transform your rice balls into cute animal faces or designs that kids (and adults) love.
Why Onigiri is Perfect for Allergy-Friendly Snacking
One of the best things about onigiri is its simplicity—just rice, nori, and your choice of filling, many of which are naturally free of common allergens. Unlike sandwiches or wraps that might use wheat or dairy, these snacks are naturally gluten-free if you use allergy-friendly fillings, making it a great option for those with food sensitivities. Whether you’re avoiding nuts, dairy, or gluten, these Japanese rice balls can be adapted to fit nearly any dietary need. It’s also easy to make it vegan by swapping out fish fillings for veggies or other plant-based options. To find more information on food allergies, head on over to our allergy resource page.
Choosing the Correct Rice
When making onigiri, choosing the correct type of rice is essential for getting that perfect texture. We keep a few different types of rice at home, and right now we have a Japanese medium-grain rice, Basmati, Jasmine, and forbidden black rice—but there are hundreds of varieties. Each type has unique qualities and works best in certain dishes, requiring slightly different cooking methods to bring out the best flavor and texture. Basmati and Jasmine rice, for example, are light, aromatic, and fluffy when cooked, which makes them excellent for pilafs or curries, but they lack the stickiness needed for onigiri.
For onigiri, Japanese short-grain or medium-grain rice is the best choice. This rice is naturally fluffy, delicious, and sticks together just enough to hold a shape without being overly sticky to the touch, making it easy to handle. Its slightly chewy texture and mild flavor are ideal for complementing traditional onigiri fillings. Other rice types may be fun to experiment with, but shorter grain rice will give you the most authentic and reliable results.
Ingredients for Japanese Rice Balls
To get started with your own creations, you’ll need a few basics. Here’s a list to get you going:
- Sushi Rice: White sticky sushi rice is essential for keeping them intact.
- Seasoning (optional): Try a little salt for the rice or a sprinkle of furikake (Japanese seasoning mix) for extra flavor.
- Nori (Seaweed Sheets): You can add a little or a lot, depending on preference!
Popular Fillings and Allergy-Friendly Alternatives
Choose your favorites, mix and match, or keep it simple with a single option:
- Tuna with Mayo: Creamy and mild, a favorite for kids.
- Avocado & Cucumber: Fresh, mild, and allergen-friendly.
- Grilled Salmon or Tuna: Great for those without fish allergies.
- Roasted Veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots work well.
- Shredded Chicken or Tofu Scramble: Packed with protein if your allergies allow.
- Pickled or Fresh Veggies: Cucumber, radish, or Japanese pickled vegetables (tsukemono) for added crunch and flavor.
How to Make Onigiri: Step-by-Step Recipe
So, how exactly do you make your own onigiri? Follow these simple steps to create delicious and portable rice balls:
Step 1: Wash the Rice
Using cold tap water, rinse the rice and discard the water until it runs clear. This may take 2-5 times. Use your fingers in a claw-like shape to agitate the rice, helping to remove excess starch (which can lead to a gummy texture) as well as any dirt, dust, debris, or small stones left from the milling process.
Step 2: Soak the Rice
After draining the last of the rinsing water, add fresh water and let the rice soak for 30 minutes or more. This step is optional, but it does lead to fluffier rice.
Step 3: Cook the Rice
After soaking, heat the rice and water over medium-high heat until boiling, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. After 3-5 minutes, remove from heat and leave the pot covered for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Season and Fluff
Add salt and fluff the rice with a rice paddle or fork. Rice paddles are magic—somehow, rice doesn’t stick to them! Most onigiri mold kits come with a little paddle.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust
Salt a little at a time and taste the rice. The only way to know if you’ve seasoned it well is to taste it.
Step 6: Cool the Rice
Move the rice to a large pot or tray and spread it out to help it cool quickly to room temperature. If using a large bowl, gently move the rice up the sides to create more surface area for the heat to escape. Cooling the rice quickly prevents overcooking from the steam.
Step 7: Prepare the Mold
Line the mold with plastic wrap (optional) and nori in the mold.
Step 8: Layer the Rice
Add a layer of rice.
Step 9: Add Filling
If using any, add your chosen filling. Shown in the example is Tuna Mayo (ツナマヨ) which is the most popular filling for onigiri.
Step 10: Top with More Rice
Add a top layer of rice, filling to the top of the mold and fold down the extra nori. This is also the stage where you might add little designs.
Step 11: Press and Admire
Cover with extra plastic wrap if using then press the rice down with the top part of the mold, using gentle but firm force. Remove the mold cover and admire your work!
Sign Up for The Newsletter!
Each month, we send a round up of exciting recipes, valuable travel tips, and useful information to help you navigate life with a dairy allergy. Let’s go on this journey together.
Onigiri: The Perfect Allergy-Friendly Travel Snack
Ingredients
- Sushi Rice White sticky sushi rice is essential for keeping them intact.
- Seasoning Optional: Try a little salt for the rice or a sprinkle of furikake (Japanese seasoning mix) for extra flavor.
- Nori Seaweed Sheets You can add a little or a lot, depending on preference!
Popular Fillings and Allergy-Friendly Alternatives
- Tuna with Mayo
- Avocado & Cucumber
- Grilled Salmon or Tuna
- Roasted Veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots
- Shredded Chicken or Tofu Scramble
- Pickled or Fresh Veggies: Cucumber, radish, or Japanese pickled vegetables (tsukemono) for added crunch and flavor.
Instructions
- Wash the Rice: Using cold tap water, rinse the rice and discard the water until it runs clear. This may take 2-5 times. Use your fingers in a claw-like shape to agitate the rice, helping to remove excess starch (which can lead to a gummy texture) as well as any dirt, dust, debris, or small stones left from the milling process.
- Soak the Rice: After draining the last of the rinsing water, add fresh water and let the rice soak for 30 minutes or more. This step is optional, but it does lead to fluffier rice.
- Cook the Rice: After soaking, heat the rice and water over medium-high heat until boiling, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid. After 3-5 minutes, remove from heat and leave the pot covered for 20 minutes.
- Season and Fluff: Add salt and fluff the rice with a rice paddle or fork. Rice paddles are magic—somehow, rice doesn’t stick to them! Most onigiri mold kits come with a little paddle.
- Taste and Adjust: Salt a little at a time and taste the rice. The only way to know if you’ve seasoned it well is to taste it.
- Cool the Rice: Move the rice to a large pot or tray and spread it out to help it cool quickly to room temperature. If using a large bowl, gently move the rice up the sides to create more surface area for the heat to escape. Cooling the rice quickly prevents overcooking from the steam.
- Prepare the Mold: Line the mold with plastic wrap (optional) and nori in the mold.
- Layer the Rice: Add a layer of rice.
- Add Filling: If using any, add your chosen filling.
- Top with More Rice: Add a top layer of rice, filling to the top of the mold and fold down the extra nori. This is also the stage where you might add little designs.
- Press and Admire: Cover with extra plastic wrap if using then press the rice down with the top part of the mold, using gentle but firm force. Remove the mold cover and admire your work!
Tips for Packing for Travel and Lunchboxes
When packing onigiri for school lunches, road trips, or even flights, a few simple tips can help them stay fresh and intact:
- When packing onigiri for school lunches, road trips, or even flights, a few simple tips can help them stay fresh and intact:
- Use White Sticky Sushi Rice: Sticky sushi rice helps the onigiri hold its shape and minimizes the chance of it falling apart.
- Pack Tightly Using Molds: Molds can help shape and compress the rice firmly, which not only makes them look neat but also helps them stay together in transit.
- Wrap Each Onigiri: Wrap each onigiri individually in cling wrap to keep the rice moist and help hold its shape. We put plastic wrap in the mold before adding rice and filling, making the process less messy and quicker overall.
- Separate the Nori: If you’re worried about soggy seaweed, pack the nori separately and wrap it around the rice ball right before eating.
- Cool the Rice First: Allowing the rice to cool completely before shaping it can prevent condensation and help it stay fresh longer.
- These tricks will help you keep the onigiri fresh and make for easy snacking anytime!
These tricks will help you keep your creations fresh and make for easy snacking anytime!
Mess-Free Eating Tips for Kids
Onigiri is a fun and convenient snack, but it shouldn’t be messy or fall apart. If your rice balls are coming undone, try making them a bit smaller, adding a little less filling, or packing them a bit tighter. Kids can be a little messy, but your onigiri shouldn’t be! Here are a few tips to make it easier for little ones:
- Small Portions: Make smaller, bite-sized rice balls for kids, which are easier for them to hold and less likely to fall apart.
- Use Cling Wrap and Molds for Packing Tightly: Wrapping each one in cling wrap and packing them tightly with molds helps keep hands and car seats cleaner.
- Pick Stickier Rice: Rice varieties like sushi rice tend to hold together well, minimizing the risk of breaking apart mid-bite.
Decorating: Fun DIY Shapes and Cute Ideas for Kids
We’ve seriously upgraded our game with additional molds and nori cutters to make adorable panda, tiger, and frog-shaped creations. These fun shapes have quickly become family favorites, and we must admit—we already have a couple more shapes in our shopping cart because they’re just too cute! Adding a creative flair makes your rice balls even more fun, especially for kids, and it’s a great way to get them excited about eating. Give it a try; we think you’ll fall in love with onigiri too!
Share Your Creations with Us!
We’d love to see how your final product turns out! Head over to our Instagram and let us know your favorite fillings—whether you stick to the classics or try something new! Don’t forget to tag us in photos of your creations, especially if you’ve tried fun shapes or decorations. We can’t wait to see your allergy-friendly, portable snacks come to life. If you would like even more information, hop on over to Okonomi Kitchen to check out their Ultimate Guide for more inspiration. Happy snacking!
