Viral Easy Baked Salmon Sushi Cups – individual size

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!

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

• 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. 

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.

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).

FAQ

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

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

Print

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.