Recipe for Vegan Parmesan Crusted Peanut Butter Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls). They are easy to make, super delicious and look cute! Great for kids, too!
Onigiri are these cute little Japanese rice balls that Usagi Tsukino aka Sailor Moon was always having in her lunch box. I’ve been a huuuuge fan of the TV show when I was little (I’ve always watched it while doing my homework) and actually rewatched every episode a few years ago. While Usagi only had eyes for her beloved Tuxedo Kamen-sama I was more intrigued by the onigiris.
I always loved the idea of eating little rice balls for lunch, so I made my own version – Vegan Parmesan Crusted Peanut Butter Onigiri. You can use sticky rice or sushi rice for them. I’ve filled them with Peanut Butter and dipped the sides in some homemade Cashew Parmesan.
They’re actually super easy to make and you can fill them with pretty much anything you want – there are so many variations possible. If you want to make them without the Cashew Parmesan, dipping them into black & white sesame seeds would look really pretty too! They’re the perfect snack (or healthy & light main meal), great to take to school or work and kid-friendly.
Vegan Parmesan Crusted Peanut Butter Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sticky rice (or sushi rice)
- 1 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon brown rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon homemade cashew parmesan
- 6 strips nori (seaweed sheet)
Instructions
- Wash the rice until the water stays relatively clear and cook the rice along with the salt (with the lid on) on low heat until the rice absorbed all the water. Pour the brown rice vinegar onto the warm rice and fold it in. Let it cool off completely.
- Cut the nori sheet in 6 strips, so they could go around the bottom of the onigiri.
- Slightly wet your hands (this way it's easier to work with the rice and it's not that sticky) and form 6 balls.
- Press one ball flat in your hand, spread the peanut butter on one side of the circle (leave out the edges) and fold it together. Now form the onigiri in shape.
- Put a nori strip around the bottom. Pour the cashew parmesan on a shallow dish and dip the sides of the onigiri in the vegan parmesan.
- Enjoy! (If you don't serve them immediately, I'd suggest storing them in the fridge)
Nutrition
Should you decide to give these Vegan Parmesan Crusted Peanut Butter Onigiri a try I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Leave a comment or post a picture on instagram, use the hashtag #elephantasticvegan and tag me via @elephantasticvegan to make sure I’ll see it ^.^ I love to see all your lovely creations! Thanks! <3
Strength and Sunshine
That seems like one of the best craziest flavor combos in the cutest most modern form :O I’m stunned and I want them!!!
Bianca
Thank you so much, Rebecca! I was sooo excited to share the recipe finally because I’ve been re-scheduling this one for months, but now figured with the new year, it’s the perfect time. They are absolutely delicious and we’re making them again tomorrow – just prepping the rice to cool down overnight :)
Natalie
I’ve always wanted to try Onigiri, so duh I should just make it myself! I’m a little amazed how not hard this is. Like possibly easier than rolling sushi, and the flavors sound way more fun and funky! I’m so glad you shared this because I never would’ve thought to make this myself but I love anything with this much rice involved :)
Bianca
I personally find them way easier to make than sushi, but I’m a terrible sushi roller :D haha. But it also depends on the filling. Peanut Butter is not hard at all but we made some onigiri with tofu & spring onion filling and my boyfriend got a mild anger issue because it was really difficult to close the edges again without the filling popping out of the sides. Definitely give them a try some time :)
athleticavocado
woah i have never seen anything like these rice balls, they look fantastic!! YUM!
Bianca
Thanks! I’m so glad you like the recipe. They’re so delicious – I have to make them again soon :)
skating tomato
And this is why I love being vegan! What a creative little recipe Bianca! I love it!
Bianca
Yes, vegan cooking is so creative and inspiring :) Thanks!
Audrey | Unconventional Baker
Ok, so I had to come see what these onigiri were all about. This looks so fun Bianca, and you made them look so beautiful. I know you put peanut butter in the title, but somehow I was still surprised when I realized they were filled. I’ll have to add them to my to try list! <3
Bianca
Thank you so much, Audrey! The peanut butter stuffed Onigiris are definitely great to begin with! My boyfriend and I made some with tofu + spring onions as well but it was way more difficult to actually keep the filling in the onigiris :D Definitely give the onigiris a try – I think they are easier to make then maki (I’m the worst in rolling sushi).
Abbie
i wish there was one without peanut butter since im allergic.
Bianca
that’s no problem at all, Abbie! You can fill them with anything you want.. I made some with spring onions and little tofu cubes (seasoned with curry powder) the other day and they were yummy as well. Or how about carrot shreds? or kimchi? Or miso?
You can also make sweet onigiri with mango chutney, plums, dates or pineapple.
Ashley
When do you use the brown rice vinegar?
Bianca
Ah! Totally forgot it, sorry! I’ve added the brown rice vinegar to the warm rice after cooking and folded it in. Thanks for pointing it out, Ashley, I’ve added it to the instructions now. :)
Kyra | Vie De La Vegan
I’ve seriously just been having a cook-a-thon from your blog Bianca – today I made these onigiri for lunch (so so good! I’d never had onigiri before but this was really delicious!), and I’ve been baking the za’atar bread sticks, pizza crackers and cheesy poppy seed crackers to take on my road trip tomorrow. Your party food section is also great for travel food :D
Bianca
Wow, that’s really a cook-a-thon you’re doing here, Kyra! You have no idea how happy your comment makes me <3
I’m so glad you liked the onigiri, they are one of my favorites for light lunches in the summer :)
I hope you’ll like the za’atar breadsticks too! You’re totally right, party / finger food is great for traveling too. They’re the perfect snackables. Just make sure you let the breadsticks and crackers cool off completely before packing them in an air-tight container, otherwise they’ll get a bit chewy :) Happy road trip and travel safe :)