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Spicy Crab Rice Balls 🦀 I’m not sure if these qualify as #onigiri, I googled it quite a bit and I think so? Either way they were the clear inspiration behind them! This recipe yields about 10-14 balls depending on size.
If you loved this recipe, check out my Sushi Bundt Cake!
Why You’ll Love Spicy Crab Rice Balls
These are very fresh, and extremely delicious! Honestly, they are super easy to make, and the perfect appetizer. I made them for my friends and these were gone within 10 minutes.

How To Prepare Spicy Crab Rice Balls
🍚 First, cook the sushi rice (I cook mine in a rice cooker and seasoned with pinch of salt, 2 tbsp rice vinegar and 1/2 tbsp sugar).
🦀 Secondly, mix the crab, Serranos, green part of the scallions, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Japanese mayo and sriracha in a bowl.
🌟 Then, add some rice on plastic wrap and spread it with your fingers as shown in the video.
🏐 Add some of the crab in the center and form the ball by folding the edges of plastic wrap as shown in the video. Wrap the ball pretty tightly.
❤️ Then, add some sesame oil on your hands and smooth the rice ball using your hands.
💥 Lastly, mix the toasted and black sesame seeds. Coat the balls on sesame seeds.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use imitation crab instead of king crab legs.
- ou know I love everything spicy, but if that isn’t your thing, you can adjust the amount of sriracha and the serrano to your desired level of heat.
- You can use any peppers of your choice instead of Serrano.
- You can use regular mayonnaise instead of Japanese mayo.
- You can use soy sauce instead of tamari.
Chef Nadia’s Tip
Make sure you use sushi rice, as regular rice won’t stick as well.
Similar Recipes
Common Questions
You can find sushi rice as Calrose, japonica, Japanese sushi rice or California sushi rice.
I use Calrose Rice by Botan.
Yes of course!
You can use soy sauce instead of tamari.
I use Nakano Rice Vinegar.
Spicy Crab Rice Balls

Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sushi rice, cooked in a rice cooker, seasoned with pinch of salt, 2 tbsp rice vinegar and 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 ⅓ cups crab meat, I used king crab legs
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 serrano, minced but also reserve some slices
- 4 scallions, sliced but separate the green part from the white and light green part
- 2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil, plus more for oiling hands
- 2 tbsp Japanese mayo
- 2 tbsp sriracha
- 1 lemon
- 3 tbsp tamari, or soy sauce
- Black sesame seeds
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook the sushi rice according to recipe (I cook mine in a rice cooker and after it was done seasoned it with pinch of salt, 2 tbsp rice vinegar and 1/2 tbsp sugar).
- Mix the crab, cream cheese, Serranos, green part of the scallions, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Japanese mayo and sriracha in a bowl.
- Add some rice on plastic wrap and spread it with your fingers as shown in the video.
- Add some of the crab in the center and form the ball by folding the edges of plastic wrap as shown in the video. Wrap the ball pretty tightly.
- Add some sesame oil on your hands and smooth the rice ball using your hands.
- Mix the toasted and black sesame seeds. Coat the balls on sesame seeds and that is it!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
and the video is where???
Hey Dennis, If you scroll down to the bottom of the recipe, it’s linked to my video on instagram. I hope you enjoy! I’ll add a link here also. Spicy Crab Rice Balls