This fun appetizer has been popular among social media channels, and it’s no wonder. A Japanese-style barbecue glaze is drizzled over air fried salmon and rice cups and topped with spicy mayo – it’s creative and a real crowd pleaser!

Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4 (two cups per person)

Marinade/glaze:

• 1/4 cup mirin
• 1/4 cup sake
• 1/4 cup agave
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce

Spicy mayo:

• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon sriracha
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar

For the salmon cups:

• 1 cup short grain sushi rice
• 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound wild Alaska salmon, skin removed, cut into small pieces
• 2 nori sheets, cut into quarters
• 2 teaspoons tempura flakes
• 2 scallions, green parts only, chopped
• Furikake, to serve

Tools:

• Air fryer
• 8 silicone muffin cups
• Rice cooker

Directions:

Mix together the marinade/glaze ingredients. Reserve half of this mixture in a small saucepan. The other half pour into a sealable container along with the salmon. Place salmon in fridge and marinate for 15-30 minutes.

Combine the spicy mayo ingredients in a small bowl, cover, and place in fridge till ready to serve.

While salmon is marinating, cook the sushi rice according to package directions. When rice is cooked, mix in the rice vinegar, sugar and salt. 

Meanwhile, heat the remaining glaze over medium-high and simmer for 10 minutes until it’s the consistency of thin syrup. Set aside until ready to serve.

Drain the marinade from the salmon and preheat air fryer to 400F while you assemble the salmon cups. Place a piece of nori in your palm and add 1 tablespoon of rice to the center. Place the nori into a silicone muffin cup. Add one more tablespoon of rice and press down with the back of a wet spoon so there’s a small indent in the rice. Place 2 tablespoons of salmon pieces into the rice. Sprinkle some tempura flakes on top. Repeat with three more muffin cups and place all four into the air fryer. Cook for 5 minutes or until salmon begins to brown on top. Remove from air fryer and repeat with remaining 4 muffin cups.

Remove from muffin cups and place on a serving tray. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of glaze, and top with a small dollop of spicy mayo, a sprinkle of chopped scallions, and a shake of furikake.