These dynamite shrimp sushi bites are exactly what they sound like, all of the fillings of a dynamite roll, loose and piled on top of crispy rice squares instead of rolled. Serve them as an appetizer, as part of a sushi spread, or on their own for a lighter lunch or dinner.
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If you love this dynamite sushi bites recipe, you'll want to bookmark a few more! My crispy sushi rice squares are the base for this recipe (and endlessly customizable on their own), and my sushi rice recipe walks you through getting that rice perfectly sticky and seasoned every time. For the sauces, I make my own homemade eel sauce and spicy mayo recipe from scratch, and if you're craving more sushi flavor in bowl form, my salmon sushi bowls are easy and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Why You'll Love This Sushi Bites Recipe
- All the dynamite roll flavor, without the rolling technicalities. Crispy base, saucy shrimp, and all the classic toppings, with no bamboo mat required.
- Customize them however you want. Swap the protein, dial the spice up or down, and add/subtract any toppings you like!
- Beautiful presentation. These dynamite shrimp crispy rice bites look like something out of a professional sushi kitchen, making them a great party appetizer or date-night dish.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Seasoned Shrimp: The star of the show, tossed in a delicious mayo sauce after cooking. Swap for crispy coconut shrimp, bang bang shrimp, or garlic butter shrimp for a fun twist.
- Crispy Rice Squares: The crunchy, golden base for this whole recipe. They are made from seasoned sushi rice that's chilled, pressed, and pan-fried until the outside is golden brown and crispy.
- Kewpie Mayonnaise: This is the base for the shrimp sauce. Kewpie mayo has a richer, slightly tangier flavour, but regular mayonnaise can be substituted.
- Cucumber & Avocado: The classic fillings in a dynamite roll. They can be substituted for (or supplemented with) fresh mango slices, finely sliced red bell peppers, or shredded carrots.
- Eel Sauce: This is the sweet and savory drizzle that ties it all together. Make eel sauce from scratch or use store-bought unagi sauce if you're in a rush.
- Spicy Mayo: A second drizzle topping for extra creaminess and heat, plus you only need two ingredients for spicy mayo!
- Crispy Onions: Add a crunch and a savory onion flavor to these sushi bites. They can be swapped for crushed wonton strips or toasted panko.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds: The final finishing touch for a nutty, delicious flavor. See my how to toast sesame seeds post for a quick stovetop method.
All ingredients with measurements can be found on the recipe card below.
Easy Tweaks and Variations
- Make it a Lobster or Crab Dynamite Bite: Swap the shrimp for cooked lobster meat or lump crab for a more indulgent version.
- Turn Up the Heat: Add sriracha to the shrimp sauce, or top the bites with freshly sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Add More Veggies: Try shredded carrot, finely sliced cabbage, or a tiny pinch of microgreens for extra crunch.
- Make it a Full Spread: Double the recipe and set it up as a DIY dynamite bites bar for a party, with the toppings in separate bowls so everyone can build their own.
- Make it a Bowl: Instead of making crispy rice squares, serve all of the toppings over regular cooked sushi rice, bowl style, like these salmon sushi bowls, instead.
How To Make Dynamite Sushi Bites
Prepare The Shrimp And Crispy Rice
Start by making a full batch of sushi rice, packing it tightly into a pan and chilling it for at least 2 hours.
Bake the shrimp with a little garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cooking oil. Let the shrimp cool, then chop them into small, bite-sized pieces so they are easier to pile onto each rice square.
For the shrimp sauce, whisk together the Kewpie mayo, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onion, and honey in a small bowl. Toss the shrimp with the sauce while it is still warm.
Set the shrimp aside and make the fry the crispy rice squares.
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Assemble The Sushi Bites
Once everything's prepped, lay the crispy rice squares on a flat platter and top each one with a few slices of fresh avocado.
Add the Cucumber
Next, layer the thinly sliced cucumber strips onto each square.
Shrimp Salad Topping
Spoon a bit of the shrimp salad mixture over the top of each bite.
Finishing Touches
Finish each sushi bite by adding a pinch of crispy onions, eel sauce, spicy mayonnaise drizzle, and toasted sesame seeds.
Serve right away while the rice squares are still super crispy and warm.
Expert Tips
- Fry the rice squares right before serving. They can lose their crunch the longer they sit, so do this step right before you plan to serve them, if you can.
- Pat the shrimp dry before cooking. Excess moisture will make the shrimp sauce super runny and loose.
- Toss the shrimp in the sauce while they are still warm. Warm shrimp will absorb the sauce flavor better than cold ones.
- Assemble the shrimp sushi bites just before serving. These are best eaten fresh, since the toppings and sauces will start to soften the crispy rice base the longer they sit.
How To Store
Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers. Keep the cooked shrimp, sliced veggies, and fried rice squares in separate containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. The sauces can also be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Just thaw the shrimp completely and pat them very dry before cooking.
You can prep the components up to a day in advance and store them separately, but hold off on assembling them until right before serving so the rice squares stay crispy.
A store-bought unagi sauce works as a substitute, or you can whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, and a splash of mirin for a super quick cheat version, just note it will be super runny compared to a true eel sauce.
More Delicious Appetizer Recipes
Looking for more delicious appetizer recipes like this? Try these:
If you made these Dynamite Shrimp Sushi Bites or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Dynamite Shrimp Sushi Bites
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Crispy Rice Squares
- 2 cups Water
- 1 ½ cups Sushi Rice (or Calrose rice)
- ¼ cup Rice Vinegar
- ¼ cup Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Neutral Tasting Oil
- Cooking Oil for frying, high smoke point oil
Shrimp Topping
- 1 lb Raw Shrimp deveined, shells and tails removed
- 1 Tablespoon Neutral Tasting Oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 3 Tablespoon Kewpie Mayonnaise or regular mayo
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- ½ teaspoon Soy Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 Green Onion very finely diced
- ½ teaspoon Sriracha Hot Sauce optional
Dynamite Roll Toppings
- 1 large Avocado peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 large Cucumber thinly sliced into long strips
- ¾ cup Crispy Onions
- Eel Sauce for topping
- Spicy Mayo for topping
- 2 Tablespoons Toasted Sesame Seeds
Instructions
Make the Sushi Rice
- In a medium-sized saucepan, boil the water and rice together until the water is fully absorbed and the rice is fluffy. Meanwhile, whisk together the rice vinegar, maple syrup, and 1 tablespoon of oil in a small bowl. Stir the seasoning into the cooked rice, let it cool slightly, then press it firmly into a quarter sheet pan. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled.👉 Click here for full details on how to make sushi rice
Make the Shrimp Topping
- Preheat the oven to 425℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, toss the shrimp with oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread the shrimp onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until fully cooked through.
- While the shrimp bakes, whisk together the Kewpie mayo, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onions and sriracha (if using) in a small bowl. Roughly chop the warm shrimp and toss with the sauce. Set aside.
Fry the Crispy Rice Squares
- Once the rice is fully chilled, remove it from the pan and cut it into squares. Heat a layer of frying oil in a deep skillet, then fry the rice squares until golden brown, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.👉 See the full crispy rice squares tutorial
Assemble the Dynamite Shrimp Bites
- Arrange the crispy rice squares on a platter and top each with a few slices of avocado, then a layer the cucumber strips. Spoon the shrimp mixture over each bite, then top with crispy onions, a drizzle of eel sauce, a drizzle of spicy mayo, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
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Notes
- Shrimp: Swap the shrimp for cooked lobster or lump crab, or try using crispy coconut shrimp or bang bang shrimp instead.
- Crispy Rice Squares: If you don't feel like making crispy rice squares, serve all of the toppings over a serving of prepared sushi rice for a bowl-inspired version.
- Add Vegetables or Fruit: Any toppings you like can be added to these sushi bites, some good options are shredded carrots, thinly sliced bell peppers, or fresh mango.
- Pat the shrimp dry before cooking to prevent excess moisture and a runny sauce.
- Tossing the shrimp with the sauce while they are still warm allows them to absorb the flavors better.
- Store leftover components separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
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