October 1, 2024

Viral Crispy Rice Salad

Viral Crispy Rice Salad is the crunchy, flavorful salad everyone's talking about! The combination of simplicity, crunch, and fresh flavors has made this crispy rice salad an internet sensation! Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting a dinner party, this salad is guaranteed to turn heads and satisfy taste buds. Whether you're looking for a light lunch, a satisfying side dish, or a trendy new recipe to try, this crispy rice salad is guaranteed to impress.

Why Viral Crispy Rice Salad Is a Must-Try:

Incredible Texture Contrast: What sets crispy rice salad apart is its signature texture—crunchy, crispy rice paired with fresh veggies and a tangy dressing. The contrast between the warm, crispy rice and the cool, crunchy vegetables makes every bite a delightful experience.

Packed with Flavor: This salad is loaded with bold flavors, from the umami-rich soy sauce to the zesty lime and aromatic herbs like cilantro and scallions. The crispy rice absorbs all the flavors while adding a toasty, nutty bite, making this dish a flavor explosion.

Healthy + Satisfying: Made with wholesome ingredients like rice, fresh vegetables, and a light dressing, this salad is both nutritious and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a gluten-free meal or a plant-based option, this viral crispy rice salad can be customized to fit your dietary needs while delivering on taste and texture.

Perfect for Meal Prep: Crispy rice salad is also ideal for meal prepping. Simply crisp the rice ahead of time, store it separately from the veggies, and assemble everything just before eating. This ensures that the rice stays crispy, and the vegetables remain fresh.

What Makes the Rice Crispy?

The secret to this salad's success lies in the crispy rice. Cooked rice is baked on a sheet pan until golden and crispy, adding a delightful crunch to the salad. You can use leftover rice, which makes this dish perfect for reducing food waste. (Simply warm up the rice with a little water so it sticks together slightly like freshly cooked rice)

How to Customize Your Viral Crispy Rice Salad: This salad is super versatile, allowing you to adjust the ingredients based on your preferences or dietary restrictions:

Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.

Vegan: The base recipe is plant-based, but you can easily add tofu, tempeh, or extra veggies for a heartier version.

Protein Add-Ons: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or edamame to turn this salad into a protein-packed meal.

Are you looking for more Asian-inspired recipes? Check out some of my favorites!

Bang Bang Salmon Rice Bowls

Thai Ground Pork Lettuce Wraps

Smash Dumpling Tacos

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 40

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 719 kcal

Ingredients

For the Crispy Rice:

2 cups jasmine rice cooked and cooled
1 tbsp garlic-chili paste
3 tbsp avocado oil

For the Salad:

1 English cucumber diced
3 scallions sliced
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro chopped
1 avocado diced
1/2 cup chopped salted cashews

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 teaspoon mirin
2 tbsp avocado oil
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 lime juiced
1 garlic clove minced

Instructions

For the Crispy Rice:

Preheat your oven to 400°F
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked white rice, garlic-chili paste and avocado oil. Mix well.
Spread the rice mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for about 40 minutes, mixing the rice every 10 minutes so it crisps up evenly.
Once crispy and golden, remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Once the rice is cooled off, break it up into very small pieces.

For the Veggies:

Place all the chopped veggies and herbs in a large bowl. Set aside.

For the Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients. Set aside.

To Assemble:

Add the chopped cashews and the cooled crispy rice to the bowl with the vegetables.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 719kcalCarbohydrates: 94gProtein: 13gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gSodium: 1151mgPotassium: 630mgFiber: 6gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 263IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Dairy-free, gluten-free, healthy, sheet pan meal

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!