Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich umami and savory flavor from the Spam and seasonings
Uses simple, accessible ingredients
Quick to put together — ready in under 30 minutes
No special molds required — just your hands or gloves
Easily customizable with extra fillings like cheese, kimchi, or veggies

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the rice balls:
cooked rice (short‑grain or medium‑grain)
Spam, diced
egg
scallion (or chives)
mayonnaise
crushed seaweed (nori snacks)
furikake (rice seasoning)
salt
neutral oil

For the sauce:
soy sauce
mirin (or rice wine)
sesame oil
sugar

Garnish:
toasted sesame seeds

Directions

Make scrambled eggs:
Heat a pan with about 1 tablespoon of neutral oil over medium heat. Whisk the egg with a pinch of salt, then scramble until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Prepare the sauce:
In a bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, and sugar until well combined.
Cook the Spam:
In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon neutral oil and the diced Spam. Sauté over medium heat until lightly browned. Reduce heat and pour in the sauce. Cook until the glaze becomes thick and sticky. Remove from heat.
Combine the ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, cooked Spam, scrambled egg, chopped scallion, mayonnaise, crushed seaweed, furikake, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly.
Shape into balls:
Take about 1 tablespoon of the mixture at a time and press into a firm ball shape. Wet your hands or use gloves to prevent sticking.
Garnish and serve:
Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of each rice ball and serve immediately.

Servings and timing

Yield: 12–14 rice balls
Prep time: ~15 minutes
Cook time: ~10 minutes
Total time: ~25–30 minutes

Variations

Add fillings such as cheese, kimchi, tuna, or vegetables
Roll in extra furikake or toasted sesame seeds
Convert to fried rice balls: chill the shaped balls, coat in flour → egg → panko, then deep fry until golden
Use different Spam flavors like teriyaki or jalapeño
Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or omit for a lighter version

Storage/Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days
Reheat gently in the microwave in short 30-second bursts or warm in a pan
These rice balls can also be eaten cold or at room temperature

FAQs

1. What kind of rice is best?

Short‑grain or medium‑grain rice works best because it’s stickier and holds together well. Long-grain rice tends to fall apart.

2. How do I prevent the rice from sticking to my hands?

Wet your hands with water or wear gloves while shaping the rice balls to keep the mixture from sticking.

3. Can I omit the scrambled egg?

Yes. The egg adds texture and helps bind the mixture, but you can leave it out or replace it with another ingredient.

4. Is frying necessary or better?

Not at all. These rice balls are meant to be served as-is, but you can fry them if you prefer a crispy exterior.

5. Can I make these vegan/vegetarian?

Yes. Swap Spam for marinated tofu or tempeh, use vegan mayo, and omit the egg for a plant-based version.

6. Will these keep well for lunchboxes or picnics?

Yes. They’re great for portable meals—just store them in a sealed container and consume within 1–2 days.

7. Why is there mayonnaise in the mixture?

It adds richness, flavor, and helps the rice stick together more easily when forming the balls.

8. Can I shape them into triangles or other forms?

Absolutely. You can shape them however you like—triangles, logs, or rounds—as long as they are packed tightly.

9. What if the mixture is too loose?

Add more rice or reduce wet ingredients. Also make sure your Spam mixture isn’t too saucy when combined.

10. Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Just double the ingredients and allow extra time for cooking and shaping the larger batch.

Conclusion

Spam Rice Balls are a fun, fast, and flavorful twist on traditional rice snacks. Their umami-rich ingredients, combined with customizable mix-ins and a simple shaping process, make them a perfect option for quick lunches, meal prep, or picnic fare. Whether served warm or cold, they’re a satisfying and creative way to enjoy familiar flavors.