Quick and Easy Crispy Rice Salmon : A Weeknight Dinner Your Family Will Love!

Name: Quick and Easy Crispy Rice Salmon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 2 cups sushi rice; 1 avocado; Spicy salmon fillet; 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced; Sriracha sauce; 2 tablespoons oil (canola or vegetable); Salt to taste; Sesame seeds (optional)

Posted on November 23, 2025

Protein

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This delicious Crispy Rice Salmon comes together in about 30 minutes, and you’ll be cooking it all in one pan for a quick and easy meal that your family will absolutely love! You can easily switch up the toppings and use what you have on hand, making it perfect for clearing out that fridge at the end of the week. Seriously, this is one of those low-effort, high-reward dishes that makes weeknight cooking feel like a breeze!

Ingredient Breakdown

Sushi Rice

Sushi rice is the star of the show here. You can find it in most grocery stores, and it offers that sticky, delicious base for your crispy rice cakes. If you’re in a pinch, you could substitute with any short-grain rice, but sushi rice really takes this dish to the next level.

Avocado

Avocado adds a creamy touch that contrasts beautifully with the crispy texture of the rice. Plus, it’s packed with healthy fats! If you want to switch things up, try substituting with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream.

Salmon

For the salmon, I love to go with a spicy, seasoned fillet that adds tons of flavor! You can use fresh, frozen, or even leftover cooked salmon. Just make sure it’s cooked through before you put it on your rice cakes. My favorite is a little bit of smoky paprika or chili powder sprinkled on top before frying.

Jalapeño

If you’re a fan of a little heat, thin slices of jalapeño on top bring it! You can also omit or substitute it with some sweet bell pepper if you’re serving little ones who might not appreciate the heat quite yet.

Sriracha

Sriracha is perfect for drizzling on top for that extra kick and a hint of sweetness. You can get creative here too, try using a different hot sauce or even a drizzle of sweet chili sauce!

Sesame Seeds

These little gems add both flavor and crunch, and they’re optional. You can have sesame seeds sprinkled on for an authentic feel, or leave them off if you don’t have any.

Oil (For Frying)

You’ll need some oil for frying to get those crispy rice cakes nice and golden brown. I recommend canola oil or vegetable oil since they have a high smoke point and won’t impart any strong flavors.

Salt

Lastly, a couple of pinches of salt will go a long way in enhancing all of these wonderful flavors. It’s a simple but essential ingredient!

Let’s Get Cooking!

Cook the rice: Start by cooking 2 cups of sushi rice according to the package instructions (usually around 15-20 minutes). Once it’s beautifully fluffy and sticks together, set it aside to cool for a bit. Meanwhile, you can prepare your other ingredients.
Form the rice cakes: Once the cooked rice is cool enough to handle, this is an important step because it helps them hold together, take a handful and form small, round cakes, roughly the size of your palm, about 1 inch thick. You should make about 4-6 cakes depending on how big you want them!
Fry the cakes: In a large skillet, heat about 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. This is where the magic happens! Once the oil is hot, add the rice cakes to the skillet. Fry them for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they’re crispy and golden brown. Don’t forget to flip them gently, so they don’t fall apart! You’ll know they’re ready when they smell heavenly and start to get that nice, crunchy exterior.
Prepare the avocado: While your rice cakes are frying, slice open an avocado and smash it in a bowl with a couple of pinches of salt. You can add lime juice for an extra zing if you’d like!
Top the rice cakes: Once the rice cakes are done frying, remove them from the pan and place them on a paper towel to soak up any excess oil for a minute. Top each crispy rice cake with a generous scoop of your smashed avocado, and then add a piece of your spicy salmon right on top!
Finish with garnishes: Now comes the fun part! Garnish with a thin slice of fresh jalapeño, drizzle some sriracha, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve warm: Enjoy these as a delightful appetizer or quick weeknight dinner. Either way, serve them warm and watch the compliments roll in!

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I need something quick yet satisfying. It’s the ultimate comfort food with such a delightful twist! Seriously, I’m a real sucker for any meal that packs tons of flavor in such a short amount of time. Plus, the best part is how versatile it is, you can throw in whatever ingredients you’ve got on hand. Sometimes I invite the kids to help me choose toppings, which makes it even more fun!

And let me tell you, the first time I made this, I was skeptical, it seemed too simple. But wow. Just wow. The crispy rice paired with creamy avocado and zesty salmon? Game changer! Best part, the kids loved them! If I can impress my picky eater, it’s officially a win in my book!

If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich, my Beef Enchiladas, or my Easy Chickpea Feta Avocado Salad!

What Makes This Recipe Special

Quick & Easy

This dish comes together in under 30 minutes! Seriously, on those busy weeknights when you feel ready to throw in the towel, this recipe is your savior.

Minimal Cleanup

It’s perfect for meal prep, and since you’re only using one pan hello, fewer dishes! After a long day, that’s where the real magic happens.

Customizable

You can literally use whatever you have on hand. This recipe is flexible about toppings, sauces, and even protein.

Comfort Food

Oh, did I mention it’s loaded with tons of flavor? The combination of crispy, creamy, and spicy is simply divine.

Family Favorite

I can assure you, this one is always a hit! My kids always ask for it again and again, and it’s nice to have a reliable dish on hand, especially when looking for some comfort food!

Serving and Storage Tips

What to Serve With This

These Crispy Rice Salmon bites are perfect on their own, but you can serve them alongside a fresh salad or rice noodles tossed in sesame dressings. Yums!

Storage

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, believe me, they’re too good leftovers rarely happen in my house!

Reheating

Due to the nature of crispy rice cakes, I recommend reheating them in a skillet with a small drizzle of oil over medium heat. This helps to bring back that crispy texture. You could also use an air fryer for about 3-5 minutes if you have one!

Freezer Friendly

You can freeze the rice cakes before frying. Just form the cakes, lay them on a lined baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just fry them straight from the freezer, adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time.

And there you have it! My absolutely favorite Crispy Rice Salmon recipe that will save you on hectic weeknights while filling your home with delightful aromas and happy family vibes.

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