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Air Fryer "Grilled" Onigiri

Once you have the basic technique, you can experiment with the fillings and how you season the rice. When there are several of us cooking, we all make our own onigiri with different flavors. It’s always fun.
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Cuisine Japanese

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups uncooked sushi rice
  • soy sauce
  • sesame oil
  • sesame seeds

Filling Options

  • leftover curries or stir-fries
  • edamame tossed with vegan mayo and sesame seeds
  • feta with green olives
  • minced baked tofu sautéed with garlic and fermented black beans

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the sushi rice in several changes of water, then soak in water for 30-60 minutes. Drain off that water, then measure enough clean water to cover one joint of your finger above the top of the rice. Cook rice in the rice cooker. After rice cooks, let it cool partway until it’s just warm. If you start working with the rice when it’s still hot, the rice grains will get mashed. On the other hand, if you let it cool completely the rice grains will be tough and won’t stick together properly.
  • When the rice is just warm, place part of the rice in a small mixing bowl. Drizzle on soy sauce and a few drops of sesame oil. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Using a rice paddle at a diagonal angle, slice through the rice to gently mix it. Don’t use the rice paddle pressing straight down to push on the rice or it will mash. Taste the rice and adjust the soy sauce and sesame oil to your preference.
  • Prepare your fillings.
  • Using an onigiri mold, fill the mold halfway with the seasoned sushi rice. Add about 1 teaspoon of filling in the middle. If you add too much filling the onigiri may fall apart later. After adding the filling, add more rice to fill the mold. Using the lid of the mold, press down firmly to compress the onigiri. The bottom of the mold has a sort of tab to press to release the rice. Repeat to make several onigiri.
  • Spray the air fryer with a little oil.
  • Add about 5-6 onigiri to the air fryer, as many as will fit easily in a single layer without touching. Cook at 400F for 5 minutes. Then flip the onigiri over and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.