These Viral Easy Salmon Sushi Bake Cups are a delicious, trendy twist on sushi, perfect for anyone craving sushi but without the hefty price tag. This viral TikTok sensation is the perfect appetizer or snack, combining creamy Kewpie mayo, spicy sriracha, and tender salmon in individual sushi cups. It’s easy to prepare and makes for a fun, customizable dish that everyone will love!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the sushi rice:

  • 2 cups cooked sushi rice (jasmine or short-grain rice)

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon mirin

  • 1 tablespoon sweetener (agave, sugar, or similar)

• For the salmon cups:

  • 6 pieces roasted nori seaweed, cut into 4 squares

  • 1 piece (8 oz) salmon, skinless, cubed

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Kewpie mayo

  • 2 tablespoons sriracha

• For garnish (optional):

  • Sliced avocado

  • Green onions

  • Furikake

  • Kewpie mayo

  • Sriracha

  • Sesame seeds

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Prepare the salmon: Cube the skinless salmon and marinate it in a bowl with soy sauce, Kewpie mayo, and sriracha. Let it marinate while preparing the rest of the ingredients.

3. Flavor the sushi rice: In a separate bowl, combine the cooked sushi rice (warmed if using leftover rice) with rice vinegar, mirin, and sweetener. Mix gently.

4. Assemble the sushi cups: Line muffin tins with two pieces of roasted nori sheets, creating a “basket” to hold the ingredients. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the sushi rice into each cup, gently pressing it down. Top with the marinated salmon mixture.

5. Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes. Broil for 1-2 minutes to get a crispy top.

6. Garnish each cup with avocado slices, green onions, furikake, sesame seeds, extra Kewpie mayo, and sriracha, as desired. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrients

The nutritional values for the Baked Salmon Sushi Cups are approximate and can vary based on the ingredients used. Here’s an estimate for one sushi cup (without garnish):

• Calories: 200-250 kcal

• Total Fat: 12-15 grams

  • Saturated Fat: 2-3 grams

• Cholesterol: 40-45 mg

• Sodium: 500-600 mg

• Carbohydrates: 25-30 grams

  • Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams

  • Sugars: 3-5 grams

• Protein: 10-12 grams

• Calcium: 20-30 mg

• Iron: 1-2 mg

Why Choose Sushi Bake Cups?

Sushi Bake Cups bring the excitement and deliciousness of sushi to a new level, providing an easier and more accessible way to enjoy sushi at home. Traditional sushi rolls require a lot of skill and time to prepare, especially when it comes to rolling the ingredients and achieving the right texture. On the other hand, these sushi bake cups simplify the process by eliminating the need for rolling, allowing you to layer the ingredients in muffin tins and bake them instead.

The individual servings in the form of sushi cups are also incredibly convenient. They offer all the great flavors of sushi in a single bite and are perfect for sharing. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, preparing a snack for your family, or looking for an easy-to-make meal, sushi bake cups offer a fun and delicious alternative to the traditional sushi roll.

Additionally, using the air fryer or oven to cook the cups results in a crispy and tender texture that enhances the overall eating experience. The sushi rice serves as the perfect base, while the marinated salmon mixture adds a rich, creamy, and slightly spicy flavor that is sure to please. With the addition of fresh garnishes such as avocado, green onions, and furikake, these cups become even more flavorful and visually appealing.

How to Make Sushi Bake Cups

Making these Viral Easy Salmon Sushi Bake Cups is surprisingly easy, especially with a few simple ingredients. To start, you’ll need to prepare sushi rice. Sushi rice, or short-grain rice, is essential for making these cups as it has the right texture and stickiness to hold the ingredients together. The rice is seasoned with a mixture of rice vinegar, mirin, and a sweetener such as agave or sugar. This seasoning gives the rice its signature tangy-sweet flavor, which is essential for a well-balanced sushi cup.

Next, prepare the salmon. Fresh, skinless salmon is cubed and marinated with soy sauce, Kewpie mayo, and sriracha. This mixture infuses the salmon with umami and a subtle spiciness, creating the perfect topping for the sushi rice. The salmon should be marinated for a few minutes to absorb the flavors before baking.

Once your ingredients are ready, it’s time to assemble the sushi cups. You’ll line muffin tins with roasted nori sheets, creating a small “basket” to hold the rice and salmon. The rice is gently pressed into the nori, followed by the marinated salmon mixture. The cups are baked in the oven until the salmon is cooked through and slightly crispy on top. If you want a little extra crispiness, you can broil the cups for a minute or two at the end of the baking process.

The last step is the garnish, which takes these sushi cups from delicious to truly mouthwatering. You can add sliced avocado, green onions, furikake, sesame seeds, and more Kewpie mayo for a creamy finish. The garnishes add both flavor and visual appeal, elevating the dish even further.

Why These Sushi Cups Are So Popular

What makes the Viral Easy Salmon Sushi Bake Cups so popular is their simplicity, versatility, and fun presentation. Unlike traditional sushi, which can be time-consuming to make and requires special skills, sushi cups can be prepared easily and with minimal effort. The recipe calls for just a few basic ingredients that are widely available at most grocery stores, making it easy to recreate at home. The sushi cups are also highly customizable—if you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add more sriracha; if you want a more savory kick, you can drizzle the cups with additional soy sauce.

Another factor contributing to the popularity of these sushi bake cups is their shareability. The individual servings are perfect for parties or gatherings, where people can enjoy bite-sized portions without the need for fancy presentation. They’re also fun to make, and the whole family can get involved in assembling the cups and adding their favorite toppings. It’s the perfect recipe for anyone who loves sushi but wants an easier, more convenient way to enjoy it.

Customizing Your Sushi Cups

One of the great things about these sushi bake cups is how easy it is to personalize them based on your tastes and dietary needs. While the base of sushi rice and marinated salmon is standard, there are numerous ways to tweak the recipe to make it your own.

For example, you can swap out the salmon for other types of fish, such as tuna or even cooked shrimp. If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can use roasted vegetables like mushrooms or avocado in place of the fish. Additionally, you can adjust the level of spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of sriracha in the marinade. For a more tangy flavor, you could try adding a bit of pickled ginger or wasabi to the mix.

You can also experiment with different toppings and garnishes. In addition to avocado, green onions, and sesame seeds, you can use ingredients like cucumber, radishes, or cilantro to add freshness and crunch. A drizzle of sweet soy sauce or eel sauce can also provide a flavorful finishing touch.

Health Considerations

While these sushi bake cups are undoubtedly delicious, they also offer some health benefits. Salmon is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for heart health and brain function. The rice provides carbohydrates for energy, while the avocado and sesame seeds offer healthy fats and additional fiber. The use of Kewpie mayo, a Japanese mayonnaise, adds a rich, creamy texture to the dish, but you can adjust the amount to suit your preferences.

For those concerned about sodium intake, the soy sauce and Kewpie mayo contribute to the overall sodium content of the dish. However, you can opt for low-sodium soy sauce or reduce the amount of sauce used to make the recipe a bit healthier. The addition of fresh garnishes like avocado and green onions also increases the nutritional value of the dish.

Conclusion

The Viral Easy Salmon Sushi Bake Cups are a fun, delicious, and customizable take on traditional sushi, offering a perfect balance of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors. They’re incredibly easy to make and ideal for anyone who loves sushi but doesn’t want to spend hours rolling it. The viral TikTok recipe has captured the attention of sushi lovers everywhere, and it’s easy to see why.

These sushi cups are perfect for parties, gatherings, or simply enjoying a delicious snack at home. With the ability to customize the ingredients and garnishes, you can make these cups your own and cater to a variety of tastes. Whether you’re a sushi enthusiast or a newcomer, these sushi cups are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. So, grab your ingredients, gather your friends, and enjoy this trendy and tasty treat that’s bound to become your new go-to sushi recipe!