Description
A creative twist on traditional sushi, these Sushi Donuts transform seasoned rice into beautiful rings topped with fresh salmon, avocado, cucumber, and sesame seeds. Perfect for entertaining, these visually stunning creations deliver all the classic sushi flavors in an Instagram-worthy presentation that’s surprisingly simple to make at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups sushi rice, rinsed and drained
- 2¼ cups water
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 sheets nori (seaweed), cut into donut-ring–sized circles
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 small cucumber, julienned
- 8 ounces sashimi-grade salmon or tuna, diced
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 tablespoons tobiko (flying fish roe) or masago (capelin roe)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- Pickled ginger, for garnish
- Wasabi and soy sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the rice: In a medium pot, combine rinsed sushi rice and water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes without opening the lid. Remove from heat and let steam (still covered) for another 10 minutes.
- Season the rice: While rice is resting, whisk together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until sugar dissolves. Transfer hot rice to a large bowl and gently fold in the vinegar mixture using slicing motions to keep grains intact. Let cool until just warm.
- Prep the donuts: Place nori circles on a clean surface. With damp hands, press about ¼ cup of rice onto each ring, forming an even donut shape.
- Top them off: Arrange slices of avocado and cucumber in spoke-like patterns on top of each rice donut. Sprinkle diced salmon in the center hole and around the top. Add cream cheese cubes amongst the fish, then dot with tobiko.
- Finish and serve: Garnish with green onions and arrange on a flat dish with pickled ginger. Serve with soy sauce and wasabi for dipping. Optionally, drizzle with spicy mayo (mixture of mayonnaise and Sriracha) for extra flavor.
Notes
- For best results, keep your hands damp when handling the rice to prevent sticking.
- Sushi-grade fish is essential for food safety when serving raw. If unavailable, substitute with smoked salmon or cooked seafood.
- Silicone donut molds make shaping easier, but you can also form the donuts by hand using plastic wrap.
- These are best enjoyed immediately after preparation, as rice will harden when refrigerated.
- For a vegetarian version, replace fish with extra avocado, mango, or tamago (Japanese omelet).
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Japanese, Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sushi donut
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: sushi donut recipe, homemade sushi, sushi rice ring, salmon sushi donuts, creative sushi presentation, fusion Japanese food, easy sushi recipe, sushi without rolling, party food presentation, instagram sushi