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You are here: Home / Dinner / Spicy Crab Roll (Spicy Kani Roll Sushi)

December 8, 2020

Spicy Crab Roll (Spicy Kani Roll Sushi)

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Spicy Crab Roll is a popular Japanese sushi roll – creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy. The kani crab stick is shredded and then seasoned with sriracha spicy mayo, then wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice. These simple sushi rolls take about 15 minutes to make once the sushi rice is ready. I’ll share with you the secrets on how to roll perfect sushi with step-by-step photos.

Spicy Crab Roll is a popular Japanese sushi roll – creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy. The kani crab stick is shredded and then seasoned with sriracha spicy mayo, then wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice. These simple sushi rolls take about 15 minutes to make once the sushi rice is ready. I’ll share with you the secrets on how to roll perfect sushi with step-by-step photos. #SpicyCrabRoll #SpicyKaniRoll

I make Japanese sushi rolls at least once a week. My favorites include California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and this easy spicy crab sushi roll.

Skip the Japanese restaurant and make your own crab sushi rolls! You’ll be surprised by how easy it is to make them at home.

Ingredients & Substitutes

Spicy Crab Roll ingredients on the counter.
  • Kani crab meat: Also called kanikama or imitation crab, this ingredient is also often used in California rolls. You can sub canned crab meat.
  • Sriracha Sauce: Made with chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, and salt, Sriracha adds heat to the sushi. Reduce the amount of this hot sauce if you prefer a mild taste and add more for extra spicy flavors. Huy Fong is my favorite brand. You can use chili sauce as a replacement.
  • Mayonnaise: Adds the creaminess to the sushi. Try to get real mayo instead of mayo alternatives. You can substitute plain Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
  • Nori (Seaweed Sheets): The fresh nori sheet is crispy enough to easily break into half by folding it.
  • Sushi Rice: Use high-quality Japanese short-grain sushi rice.
  • Sushi vinegar: For seasoning the rice. If you don’t have sushi vinegar, you can mix together rice vinegar, sugar, and salt.
  • Sesame Seeds: I used a combination of white and black sesame seeds. Simply toast them in a frying pan for 5 minutes for the best nutty flavors.

You’ll also need a sushi rolling bamboo mat for easy rolling.

Table of Contents

  • How to Make Spicy Crab Roll (Kani Sushi)
    • Step 1: Cook Sushi rice
    • Step 2: Make Spicy Crab Salad (Kani Salad)
    • Step 3: Make the Spicy Crab Roll
  • Tips for the Best Spicy Crab Roll Recipe
  • What is a Spicy Crab Roll?
  • Is Spicy Crab Roll Cooked Sushi?
  • How Many Calories Does Each Spicy Crab Roll Roll Have?
  • Variations
  • Spicy Crab Roll Recipe

How to Make Spicy Crab Roll (Kani Sushi)

Step 1: Cook Sushi rice

Freshly cooked sushi rice in a large clear bowl.

Use less water when cooking sushi rice for the sushi rolls. The best water to rice ratio is 1:1.

Once cooked, transfer it to a large bowl and let it cool down slightly. When it’s still warm, stir in the sushi vinegar (or the mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt). Mix well.

Step 2: Make Spicy Crab Salad (Kani Salad)

Photo collage showing how to make spicy kani salad.

Simply shred the imitation crab (kanikama), and add it to a mixing bowl. Season with sriracha sauce and mayo. Mix well.

Step 3: Make the Spicy Crab Roll

How to roll up spicy crab sushi: step 1 and 2 photos.

1. Cut the nori sheet into two halves with kitchen scissors. Place half of a nori sheet on top of the bamboo mat shiny side facing down.

2. Spread seasoned sushi rice (about 3/4 cup) over nori evenly.

How to roll up spicy crab sushi: step 3 and 4 photos.

3. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rice.

4. Flip the sheet and add the spicy knai crab salad to the middle of the nori sheet.

How to roll up spicy kani sushi: step 5 and 6 photos.

5. Place the thumbs underneath the bamboo mat and lift the edge up and over the filling. Roll the bamboo mat away from you and press the rice and filling together. Keep rolling until the ends meet.

6. Cut each roll into 8 pieces. Drizzle more spicy mayo sauce on top of the roll for some extra heat.

Spicy Crab Roll is a popular Japanese sushi roll – creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy. The kani crab stick is shredded and then seasoned with sriracha spicy mayo, then wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice. These simple sushi rolls take about 15 minutes to make once the sushi rice is ready. I’ll share with you the secrets on how to roll perfect sushi with step-by-step photos. #SpicyCrabRoll #SpicyKaniRoll

Tips for the Best Spicy Crab Roll Recipe

  • Before handling the sushi rice, you can dip your hands into Tezu water, which will prevent the rice from sticking to your hands. It’s a hand dipping liquid made with 1/4 cup water and 2 teaspoons rice vinegar. 
  • When rolling the sushi, you’ll need to squeeze the roll gently but firmly. Once you finish, you can place the mat over the roll and gently squeeze it again. This will prevent the sushi roll from falling apart.
  • The heat of spicy crab roll comes from Sriracha sauce. You can adjust proportions to make your rolls more or less spicy. You can also use mayo only for a non-spicy version.
  • If you use canned crab meat, make sure to squeeze out the water thoroughly so your crab salad filling is not too wet.
Spicy Crab Roll is a popular Japanese sushi roll – creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy. The kani crab stick is shredded and then seasoned with sriracha spicy mayo, then wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice. These simple sushi rolls take about 15 minutes to make once the sushi rice is ready. I’ll share with you the secrets on how to roll perfect sushi with step-by-step photos. #SpicyCrabRoll #SpicyKaniRoll

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a Spicy Crab Roll?

Also called Spicy Kani Roll, the spicy crab roll is often made inside-out, where nori seaweed sheet wraps around the filling inside, and the sushi rice is on the outside. It’s a type of maki sushi (rolled sushi) made by rolling spicy kani salad in nori seaweed sheet and seasoned rice. The filling consists of imitation crab or real cooked crab, which is mixed with spicy mayo sauce.

Spicy crab roll sushi tastes creamy, spicy, and slightly sweet. It’s completely addictive!

Is Spicy Crab Roll Cooked Sushi?

Yes, there’s no raw seafood in this recipe. Kani crab meat or canned real crab meat is used in this recipe and they are completely cooked.  

How Many Calories Does Each Spicy Crab Roll Roll Have?

There are about 312 calories in each roll, and 39 calories in each piece of sushi.

Variations

  • You can use tempura crab instead of kani crab in this recipe for the spicy and crunchy tempura crab roll.
  • Use the whole kani stick and add avocado to the filling for a spicy California roll.
  • Add other veggies such as cucumber, Oshinko, or Yamagobo to the filling.

If You Like This Recipe, Try Out These Cooked Sushi Roll Recipes:

  • This Caterpillar Roll recipe is made with delicious unagi and crunchy cucumber rolled in seaweed sheet and sushi rice, with an avocado topping. You can customize the roll with other delicious fillings. It’s so easy to make and I’ll share with you the secrets on how to make an avocado wrapper! #CaterpillarRoll #CaterpillarSushiRoll #CaterpillarMakiRoll
    Caterpillar Roll
  • The Volcano Roll is highly addictive and will definitely blow your mind! It’s made with seafood, avocado, and cucumber rolled in seaweed sheet and sushi rice, with an incredibly delicious spicy lava topping. This recipe is easy to make and I’ll share with you the secrets on how to make a mouth-watering crab salad lava topping! #VolcanoRoll #VolcanoRollSushi
    Volcano Roll
  • Philadelphia Rolls are filled with smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber, then rolled in nori seaweed sheet and sushi rice. In this recipe, you will learn how to make sushi rice, how to roll the the sushi, and how to make the delicious and creamy Philly roll. #PhiladelphiaRoll #PhillyRoll #SmokedSalmonSushi #PhillyRollSushi
    Philly Roll
  • Boston Rolls are filled with creamy avocado, succulent shrimp, and crunchy cucumber, then rolled in nori seaweed sheet and sushi rice! It’s usually garnished with the bright orange tobiko (Japanese flying fish roe). In this recipe, you will learn how to make sushi rice, how to select fillings, how to roll the the sushi, and how to garnish with tobiko! #BostonRoll #BostonSushi #BostonRollSushi
    Boston Roll

I hope you like this recipe. If you try it, please comment below and let me know how your Spicy Crab Roll turns out!

Spicy Crab Roll is a popular Japanese sushi roll – creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy. The kani crab stick is shredded and then seasoned with sriracha spicy mayo, then wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice. These simple sushi rolls take about 15 minutes to make once the sushi rice is ready. I’ll share with you the secrets on how to roll perfect sushi with step-by-step photos. #SpicyCrabRoll #SpicyKaniRoll

Spicy Crab Roll Recipe

Spicy Crab Roll is a popular Japanese sushi roll – creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy. The kani crab stick is shredded and then seasoned with spicy sriracha mayo, then wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 24 pieces (3 rolls)
Calories: 39kcal

Ingredients 

For Sushi Rice

  • 1 cup sushi rice short-grain sushi rice
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 ½ tablespoons sushi vinegar (or mix 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1/2 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt)

Spicy Mayo

  • 3 teaspoons mayonnaise
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sriracha sauce

For the Spicy Kani Roll

  • 4 oz kani crab meat (imitation crab or canned crab meat)
  • 2 sheets nori seaweed
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (white or black, or the combination. I recommend toasting them in a frying pan for about 5 minutes for more flavors.)

Instructions 

Make Sushi Rice

  • Rinse the rice and add to the rice cooker. Then add water and cook according to the instructions.
  • Once cooked, transfer to a large bowl and let it cool. When it’s still very warm, mix in the sushi vinegar (or the mixture of rice vinegar, sugar and salt).

Make Spicy Sriracha Mayo

  • In a clear bowl, mix together Sriracha sauce and mayonnaise. Taste and add more Sriracha if you prefer a spicier flavor.

Make Spicy Crab Salad

  • Shred the imitation crab meat using your hands or two forks.
  • Add Sriracha mayo and mix well.

Make the Spicy Crab Roll

  • Cut the nori sheet into two halves with kitchen scissors.
  • Place half of a nori sheet on top of the bamboo mat shiny side facing down.
  • Spread seasoned sushi rice (about 3/4 cup) over nori evenly. Press the rice gently with your hands. (Tips: You can dip your hands in Tezu water to prevent the rice from sticking to your hands).
  • Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the rice.
  • Flip the sheet and let the rice side facing down.
  • Add the spicy Kani crab salad to the middle of the nori sheet.
  • Place the thumbs underneath the bamboo mat and lift the edge up and over the filling.
  • Roll the bamboo mat away from you and press the rice and filling together. Keep rolling until the ends meet.
  • More the roll to a cutting board and cut it into 8 pieces.
  • Drizzle more spicy mayo sauce on top of the roll for some extra heat.

Equipment

Bamboo Sushi Mat
Plastic Wrap
Sushi Rice
Sharp Knife

Notes

  • To make Tezu water: Simply mix together 1/4 cup water and 2 teaspoon rice vinegar.
  • Why does my sushi roll fall apart? This could be caused by the wrong types of rice or you didn’t squeeze the rolls tightly. You need to tuck in and pull the bamboo mat tightly while rolling.

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Author: izzycooking
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Spicy Crab Roll, Spicy Crab Sushi, Spicy Kani Roll
Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking
Spicy Crab Roll is a popular Japanese sushi roll – creamy, satisfying, and fiery spicy. The kani crab stick is shredded and then seasoned with sriracha spicy mayo, then wrapped in nori seaweed sheets and seasoned rice. These simple sushi rolls take about 15 minutes to make once the sushi rice is ready. I’ll share with you the secrets on how to roll perfect sushi with step-by-step photos. #SpicyCrabRoll #SpicyKaniRoll

Filed Under: Dinner, Snacks, Sushi Tagged With: kanikama, mayonnaise, nori seaweed sheet, sesame seeds, sriracha sauce, sushi rice, sushi vinegar

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sam says

    December 28, 2020 at 5:14 pm

    5 stars
    I didn’t realize how easy sushi was to make at home! This was so delicious. Will be making it regularly.

    Reply
    • izzycooking says

      December 28, 2020 at 5:18 pm

      Hi Sam, glad you like this recipe. Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Kelly Stilwell says

    December 28, 2020 at 9:35 pm

    I’ve always wanted to try to make sushi. I’m so glad I found your easy directions! Delicious!

    Reply

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