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    Home » Air Fryer

    Viral Easy Baked Salmon Sushi Cups – individual size

    Published: Aug 6, 2023 · Modified: Sep 3, 2023 by Carmen Spillette · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This easy viral Baked Salmon Sushi Cups recipe will blow your mind. It is a definite crowd-pleaser! Perfectly portioned for two, these individual-sized sushi bake with salmon combine the rich flavors of salmon, creamy Kewpie mayo, and a touch of heat from the chili oil. This is basically a sushi bake for 2. 

    This trendy recipe has taken TikTok by storm, and for all the right reasons!

    best salmon sushi cups

    This is great as an appetizer for sushi lovers or when you are craving sushi but do not want to spend a gazillion dollars. 


    Jump to:
    • Why you will love this sushi bake with salmon recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make easy salmon sushi cups
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • How to store and reheat baked sushi cups
    • 3 Top Tips for Success
    • About Carmen
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Viral Easy Baked Salmon Sushi Cups – 2 servings only
    • Food safety

    Why you will love this sushi bake with salmon recipe

    • Convenient Individual Portions: The best part of this Viral TikTok Salmon Sushi Cups recipe is its individual-sized portions. Each cup is a perfectly balanced, ready-to-eat serving, making it ideal for sharing with a friend or well, eating both cups. No one will judge you.
    • When you’re craving sushi but don’t want to spend: This is a great alternative for when you need a quick lunch or when you crave sushi but don’t want to go out and spend a gazillion dollars. They’re basically deconstructed sushi rolls. 
    • Easy to make: In a world where convenience matters, these sushi cups offer a hassle-free way to enjoy the goodness of sushi without the need for rolling and slicing. You can also prep these salmon sushi bake cups ahead of time. My favorite is using leftover rice for this. 

    Ingredients

    salmon sushi cups
    baked salmon sushi cups
    • Sushi rice 
    • Rice vinegar
    • Mirin
    • Roasted nori seaweed snack
    • Fresh salmon
    • Soy sauce 
    • Kewpie mayo
    • Sriracha

    Garnish

    • Avocado 
    • Furikake
    • Green onion
    • Spicy Mayo (mixture of kewpie mayo and sriracha)
    • Sesame seeds

    See recipe card for quantities.


    How to make easy salmon sushi cups

    Making sushi cups is easy. Here is the step-by-step guide for the easiest and best sushi bake with salmon recipe. 

    sushi rice

    Prepare the sushi rice. I used leftover rice for this. However, make fresh sushi rice if you want.

    salmon cubes

    Cube the salmon.

    salmon marinade

    Salmon marinade. Soya, kewpie mayo and chili oil. Most people use sriracha. I didn’t have any.

    arrange sushi cups

    Arrange the sushi cups starting with the nori.

    layer rice with salmon

    Sprinkle some furikake if you want.

    air fry salmon sushi cups

    Bake or air fry for 10 minutes.

    1. Preparing the Salmon:

    Preheat your air fryer or oven to 400°F

    Begin by cutting the skinless salmon into bite-sized cubes.

    2. Marinating the Salmon:

    In a large bowl, place salmon cubes, soy sauce, Kewpie mayo, and chili oil (if using). Gently mix to coat the salmon evenly with the flavors. Set aside to marinate while you prepare the other components.

    3. Flavoring the Sushi Rice:

    In a separate bowl, combine the cooked sushi rice, rice vinegar, and mirin. Gently fold the ingredients together.

    4. Assembling the Sushi Cups:

    Line the oven-safe ramekins with two pieces of roasted nori sheets diagonally, creating a small “basket” to hold the ingredients.

    Spoon approximately 4 tablespoons of the prepared sushi rice into each nori-lined cup, gently pressing it down to create a base.

    Top the cooked rice with the marinated salmon mixture, distributing it evenly among the cups.

    5. Baking and Garnishing:

    Bake or air fry the sushi cups at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the salmon to cook to perfection. Broil for 1-2 minutes for a crisp top.

    Remove the cups from the air fryer or oven and let them cool slightly.

    6. Serve and Enjoy:

    Your Viral Easy Baked Salmon Sushi Cups are now ready to be enjoyed! Garnish each cup with slices of avocado, chopped green onions, and a drizzle of the spicy mayo mixture and more furikake.

    Note:

    If you’re new to making sushi rice, follow these simple steps:

    Rinse ½ cup of sushi rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.

    Cook the rice according to package instructions. If you have a rice cooker, that works perfectly. Otherwise, you can cook it on the stovetop.

    Once the rice is cooked, mix it with a dash of rice vinegar and mirin, as mentioned in the recipe. This step gives the rice its signature sushi rice flavor and texture.


    sushi cups

    Substitutions

    Cooked Sushi Rice:

    Substitution: Use quinoa, cauliflower rice, jasmine rice, or any cooked short-grain rice like Arborio rice.

    Rice Vinegar:

    Substitution: Replace with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

    Mirin:

    Substitution: Mix equal parts of white wine or sherry and a pinch of sugar as a replacement for mirin.

    Roasted Nori Seaweed Snack:

    Substitution: Substitute with fresh lettuce leaves or thinly sliced cucumber for a refreshing crunch.

    Salmon:

    Substitution: Opt for any firm white raw fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia. For a vegetarian option, use marinated tofu or tempeh.

    Soy Sauce:

    Substitution: Use tamari sauce (gluten-free alternative) or coconut aminos for a soy-free option.

    Kewpie Mayo:

    Substitution: Make a homemade mayo using olive oil or use any regular mayo.

    Chili oil:

    Substitution: Replace with your preferred hot sauce like sriracha or chili sauce for heat.

    Garnish:

    Sliced Avocado:

    Substitution: Top with slices of mango or cucumber for a fresh and creamy element.

    Green Onions:

    Substitution: Use chives, parsley, or cilantro for a burst of herbaceous flavor.

    Spicy Mayo (Kewpie Mayo and Sriracha):

    Substitution: Create a tangy and spicy sauce using plain yogurt and hot sauce or mix tahini with a dash of chili powder.


    Variations

    Here are different variations you can try with this easy sushi bake recipe.

    • Not into Salmon? – use tuna or prawns 
    • Vegan – use firm tofu 
    • Kid-friendly – omit the sriracha and use cooked chicken. Have the kids pick what they want to put into the sushi-baked cups. 

    Equipment

    • Oven safe ramekin 
    • Air fryer
    • Small bowl 
    • Measuring spoons and cups
    • Knife 
    • Cutting board

    How to store and reheat baked sushi cups

    Here’s how to store and reheat leftover sushi salmon bowls properly:

    Storing:

    • Refrigeration: Place them in an airtight container or cover them tightly with plastic wrap to prevent moisture from getting in and affecting the texture.
    • Storage Time: Consume the leftover sushi cups within 1-2 days for the best taste and texture.

    Reheating:

    • Oven Method: To reheat the sushi cups, preheat the oven to around 350°F (175°C) reheat for 10 minutes. Cover the cups on a baking sheet with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.

    Air Fryer Method: You can reheat the sushi salmon cups if you have an air fryer. Air fry for 5 minutes at 350°F (175°C).


    best sushi cups

    3 Top Tips for Success

    Here are three top recipe notes to ensure your success.

    1. Perfectly Prepped Ingredients:

    Consistent Cubes: For perfectly cooked salmon, cut them into similar sizes. This ensures even cooking and a consistent texture throughout.

    Flavorful Rice: Mixing the cooked sushi rice with rice vinegar and mirin is crucial for that signature sushi sticky rice flavor.

    2. Assembly and Presentation:

    Nori Basket: Make sure the nori squares form a “basket” that will hold the rice and your favorite toppings securely.

    Garnish: Place the sliced avocado and any other garnishes thoughtfully on top of the salmon mixture.

    3. Do not overcook the salmon:

    Precise Baking Time: Avoid overcooking salmon. Aim to bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes and then broil for a quick minute to achieve a beautifully bubbly top.

    Broiling Caution: The goal is to achieve a golden top without burning the nori or the toppings.


    CARMEN ICE CREAM

    About Carmen

    Hello, I am so happy you are here. I am the recipe developer, writer, photographer, videographer, and editor behind Eat with Carmen. My blog is all about celebrating love, family, and culture. My website is dedicated to all things Filipino recipes and other Asian recipes, entertaining, travel, family, and so much more. Here you will find easy, approachable recipes that you and your family and friends will love.

    Learn more about me →


    FAQ

    What is sushi bake made of?

    Sushi bake typically consists of cooked sushi rice mixed with seasoned seafood, like crab or salmon, combined with a blend of creamy sauces, Japanese mayonnaise, and various toppings. It’s baked until warm and slightly crispy, resulting in a deconstructed and flavorful sushi-inspired dish.

    Can frozen salmon be used for sushi?

    Absolutely! It’s a perfect way to enjoy sushi with minimal hassle. All you need to do is thaw the salmon according to the package instructions and it’s ready for use in your recipe.

    Can I use other types of rice?

    Yes, but I recommend using short-grain sushi rice for the best results. It has a sticky texture that holds together well and absorbs all the delicious flavors of the salmon, mayo, and chili oil.


    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Asian Salmon Air Fryer
      Asian Salmon Air Fryer (ready in 12 minutes)
    • salmon air fryer
      Air Fryer Teriyaki Salmon

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with baked sushi cups:

    • Miso Glazed Black Cod
      Miso Glazed Black Cod (Nobu Copycat)
    • air fryer prawns
      Best Air Fryer Prawns Recipe (Ready in 13 Minutes)
    • miso salmon
      Miso Salmon Air Fryer
    • Garlic Prawns
      Spanish Garlic Prawns

    Print
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    sushi cups tiktok

    Viral Easy Baked Salmon Sushi Cups – 2 servings only

    5 from 3 reviews

    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    This easy viral Bake Salmon Sushi Cups recipe will blow your mind. It is a definite crowd-pleaser! This trendy recipe has taken TikTok by storm and for all the right reasons. Perfectly portioned for two, these individual-sized sushi cups combine the rich flavors of salmon, creamy Kewpie mayo, and a touch of heat from chili oil. Basically a sushi bake for 2.

    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 2 portions

    Ingredients

    1 cup of cooked sushi rice (jasmine or any short-grain rice will work)

    1 tablespoon rice vinegar

    1 tablespoon mirin

    1 to 2 packages of roasted nori seaweed snack

    1 piece of salmon, 6 oz, skinless, cubed

    2 tablespoon of soy sauce

    2 tablespoon of kewpie mayo

    1 tablespoon of chili oil (optional)

    Garnish

    Sliced avocado
    Furikake

    Green onions

    Spicy Mayo (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the air fryer or oven to 400 degrees.
    2. Cut the skinless salmon into cubes. 
    3. In a bowl, mix together salmon, soy sauce, kewpie mayo, and chili oil. Set aside. 
    4. In another bowl, mix together the rice, rice vinegar, and mirin.
    5. Using 2 oven-safe ramekins, line the cups with 2-3 pieces of nori diagonally. 
    6. Place 4 tablespoon of sushi rice and top with the salmon mixture. 
    7. Bake or Air fry at 400 degrees for 10 minutes and broil for 1 minute or until the top is bubbly. 
    8. Garnish with sliced avocado. Serve and enjoy! 

    Equipment

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    measuring spoons

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    Notes

    If you’re new to making sushi rice, follow these simple steps:

    Rinse ½ cup of sushi rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.

    Cook the rice according to package instructions. If you have a rice cooker, that works perfectly. Otherwise, you can cook it on the stovetop.

    Once the rice is cooked, mix it with the rice vinegar and mirin, as mentioned in the recipe. This step gives the rice its signature sushi rice flavor and texture.

    • Author: Carmen Spillette
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Category: sides
    • Method: air fry
    • Cuisine: asian

    Keywords: baked salmon sushi cups, sushi cups, salmon sushi cups, sushi bake cups

    Did you make this recipe?

    PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW


    Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

    1. Paul T

      August 07, 2023 at 7:17 pm

      Flavor was incredible and I love a good salmon recipe. Highly recommend making this.






      Reply
    2. Nadine Kool

      August 07, 2023 at 7:15 pm

      Absolutely delicious! Was very easy to make and everyone loved it!!






      Reply
    3. Lourdes A

      August 06, 2023 at 9:59 pm

      ❤️❤️ 🔥 🔥






      Reply
      • Carmen Spillette

        August 07, 2023 at 2:11 am

        💜

        Reply

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