The Best Creamy Mentaiko Yaki Onigiri in Air Fryer

Yaki onigiri is a type of Japanese rice ball that is traditionally grilled over charcoal for a crispy outer texture and smokey umami flavor. Making yaki onigiri in an air fryer has been a game changer and is one of the easiest ways to make yaki onigiri. This post is all about how to make the best creamy mentaiko yaki onigiri at home in an air fryer.

Tarako vs Mentaiko

Tarako and mentaiko look almost identical with the mentaiko looking a bit more red or vibrant in color. This is because both tarako and mentaiko are made from pollock or cod roe. “Tarako” in Japanese directly translates to cod children. “Tara” means cod and “ko” means children.

Tarako and mentaiko are made by salting cod roe. To make mentaiko, additional seasoning and spices are required which creates a different flavor profile. Both are great in onigiri. However, mentaiko can be a little spicy, so if you don’t like spices or you have young children, tarako may be the better option.

Creamy Mentaiko

You may have seen the more traditional yaki onigiri made from a sweet soy sauce tare or sauce. You can also check out this blog post on how to make it. However, mentaiko is a popular ingredient used in onigiri.

Creamy mentaiko has become a popular combination in more modern Japanese dishes and widely accepted even outside of Japan. Even if the thought of mentaiko scares you, I’m sure this sauce will have you coming back for seconds! The salty and spicy pollock roe pairs incredibly well with a creamy and cheesy sauce.

Tips on how to make the best creamy mentaiko yaki onigiri

1. Remove skin from mentaiko. There is a thin layer of membrane surrounding the mentaiko. This is edible, but for texture purposes, it is best to remove it. I always remove it and eat it so it doesn’t go to waste.
2. Flip yaki onigiri in airfryer half way through cooking for evenly crispy layer. This is optional, but I find that when I flip it, it becomes more evenly crispy all around.
3. If you want it crispier, you can leave it in the air fryer for a longer period of time. But make sure the cheese is not melting out of the onigiri. If it is, remove it from the air fryer before it starts to burn.
4. Best served right away! You want to serve yaki onigiri right away to enjoy the crispiness. You can prepare the onigiri beforehand (even a day before) but pop it in the air fryer right before eating.

Places to get these ingredients:

• Japanese Grocery market (Mitsuwa, Nijiya, Tokyo Central)
• Asian Grocery markets (H-Mart, 99 Ranch)
• Asian isle at your local grocery market 
• Amazon (links to some of my favorites below)

INGREDIENTS

• 300 g Cooked rice
• 40 g Mozzarella cheese 2 pieces of cheese, about 20g each
• Neutral flavor oil enough to coat the onigiri
• Water water to dip your hands in so rice does not stick
• Salt pinch of salt for taste and rice to not stick on hands

MENTAIKO SAUCE

• 1 Mentaiko or pollock roe
• 1 tbsp Kewpie Mayo
• 1/2 tbsp Heavy cream

GARNISH (OPTIONAL)

• Pieces of thinly cut nori dried seaweed

INSTRUCTIONS

TO MAKE CREAMY MENTAIKO SAUCE

• Remove mentaiko from packaging 
• Slice open the mentaiko and scrape the roe out of the sac. (The sac is a clear film surrounding the roe. It is edible but we are removing it for texture purposes.)
• Place the roe in a bowl and using a spoon, mix mentaiko roe with kewpie mayo and heavy cream 
• Set creamy mentaiko sauce to use later

TO MAKE ONIGIRI

• Wet hands with water and rub a pinch of salt on hands (this will prevent rice from sticking to hands
• Take about 75g of cooked hot rice and place it in hand
• Take a piece of cheese and place it in the middle
• Take another 75g of cooked hot rice and cover the cheese (make sure the cheese is fully covered or it will melt out in the air fryer)
• Shape the rice into an onigiri triangle with hands (you can use an onigiri mold as well)
• Make 2 onigiri
• Place onigiri in air fryer and brush with oil on both sides 
• Cook in air fryer at 400F for 12-15 minutes flipping the onigiris halfway through 
• Once done, place on a plate and spread creamy mentaiko sauce on top 
• Sprinkle cut nori on top (optional)
• Serve hot and enjoy!

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