Description
This California Roll Cucumber Salad offers a fresh and vibrant twist on the classic sushi roll by combining crunchy air-fried rice with crisp cucumber, creamy avocado, and flavorful imitation crab. Tossed in a tangy ginger-soy dressing and topped with crunchy furikake or sesame seeds, this salad makes a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber, sliced into thin half moons (about 2 cups, peeled if preferred)
- ½ cup scallions, cut on a bias
- ½ cup avocado, diced (about ½ of a medium avocado)
- 1 cup kani imitation crab, flaked and cut into 1-inch pieces
Dressing and Seasoning
- 2 ½ teaspoons chili crisp, divided
- 2 ½ teaspoons soy sauce, divided
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (seasoned preferred but can be unseasoned)
Other
- ½ cup precooked rice
- Furikake or black and white sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the rice mixture: In a small bowl, combine the precooked rice with 1 teaspoon chili crisp and 1 teaspoon soy sauce, mixing well to evenly coat the rice.
- Air fry the rice: Line the air fryer basket or a sheet tray with parchment paper. Spread the rice evenly and air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring after 5 minutes to ensure even crisping. (Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.) Remove once the rice is crispy and golden.
- Mix the salad: While the rice crisps, in the bottom of a large bowl combine the remaining 1 ½ teaspoons chili crisp, remaining 1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce, grated ginger, and rice vinegar. Whisk together to form the dressing.
- Add fresh ingredients: To the dressing bowl, add the sliced cucumber, scallions, diced avocado, and flaked kani imitation crab. Gently stir to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Assemble and serve: Top the salad with the crispy air-fried rice, then sprinkle with furikake or black and white sesame seeds for an added crunch and flavor. Serve immediately for best texture.
Notes
- The rice used should be precooked and cooled to ensure proper crisping during air frying or baking.
- Adjust the amount of chili crisp and soy sauce to your preferred level of spice and saltiness.
- Peeling the cucumber is optional based on texture preference.
- If you do not have an air fryer, baking the rice in the oven works well as an alternative.
- Furikake is a Japanese seasoning blend that can be substituted with black and white sesame seeds if unavailable.
