Recipes only go viral when they’re incredibly good or laughably bad, and this sushi bake falls firmly at the top of the “incredibly good” list. This
easy casserole (because, let’s be honest, that’s what this is) is the perfect entry point for trying your hand at making sushi at home or introducing sushi to picky kiddos. Not only is it a perfect introduction to sushi, but this bake is endlessly versatile—keep reading on to discover how to make it exactly your own:
What is a sushi bake?
It’s exactly like your favorite spicy roll—chopped fish or crab combined with a wasabi-spiked mayo and sushi rice—with extra toppings, like creamy sliced avocado, cucumber, and plenty of sriracha. The sticky, seasoned sushi rice gets baked in an oiled dish, making the bottom and edges slightly crisp and chewy, creating a mind-blowing texture contrast with the decadent topping. Once it’s out of the oven, cut the bake into small rectangles and serve it with small sheets of nori to get the full sushi vibe. You can also serve it cold!
Sushi bake variations:
— Do I have to use imitation crab? Not at all! Imitation crab is a popular, delicious, and budget-friendly choice, but if you’re craving a spicy salmon or tuna roll vibe, you can swap the crab with chopped raw salmon or tuna.
— Can I use regular mayo? There’s something special about kewpie mayo. It’s got a bit of extra tang that brings much-needed balance to the richness of the spicy seafood topping. But it’s not the end of the world if you can’t find it. If you only have regular mayo, use that with an extra splash of rice vinegar to mimic the taste of kewpie.
— How should I top my sushi bake? We love topping our bake with sliced avocado, sliced cucumber, and toasted sesame seeds, but you can get creative here. Drizzle on some spicy mayo, eel sauce, sriracha, tempura flakes, or sliced jalapeño.
Serving a sushi bake:
We prefer to serve our sushi bake with nori sheets to scoop our mixture into, but that isn’t your only option. Alternatively, you can eat this bake on its own, or inside lettuce wraps.
Did you try making this viral recipe? Let us know how it went in the comments!