Spicy Crab Roll (Kani Rolls)

Make a Delicious Spicy Krab Roll in the Comfort of Your Home! This spicy kani roll is filled with kani lettuce and seasoned sushi rice. It contains many of the same ingredients as our beloved Sushi Bake.

Kani in sushi is inexpensive and contains no raw fish; perfect for those who avoid eating uncooked seafood. Here are 20+ more imitation crab recipes.

What is kani sushi

Kani, also known as kanikama, is imitation crabmeat made from surimi, minced white fish processed to taste and look like crabmeat. Anything called Kanikama Sushi, Kani Roll, or Krab Rolls are made with imitation crab meat versus real crab meat.

Check out our What is Kani guide for more information.

Sushi ingredients

For the sushi rice you will need short grain sushi rice, unseasoned rice vinegar, sugar and salt.

To make the spicy crab roll recipe, you will need imitation crab, mayonnaise, sriracha, and nori sheets. Sesame seeds are an optional garnish.

How to make kani rolls

Making homemade sushi rolls recipes is easy once you get some practice. If you’re already a sushi pro, skip the graphics and go to the next section.

Make the sushi rice

You can cook the sushi rice on the stovetop or make a batch of our Sushi Rice Instant Pot.

Make the filling

While the rice is cooking, prepare the kani filling.

Build the role

Place the nori sheet on the bamboo mat, followed by 1/2 cup sushi rice, sesame seeds, and the kani salad filling.

Roll the roll

Using two hands, roll the nori sheet tightly around the fillings. It should be firm enough so the roll won’t fall apart, but not too hard as the fillings will squeeze out the sides.

Cut the roll

Using a very sharp knife, cut the roll into 1 inch sushi pieces. Run the knife under cold water between cuts (without drying it).

sauces

This spicy crab roll recipe can stand on its own, no additional sauce needed. However, if you’re looking for an extra layer of flavor, drizzle it over a sushi sauce recipe.

variations

crab roll

Use fresh crab meat instead of imitation crab meat to make a crab roll. The texture changes because real crab meat and imitation crab sticks don’t have the same shape or firmness. Baked crab legs would be excellent here.

Rice paper sushi

Don’t you like Nori? Replace the nori sheets with rice paper or soy paper.

Spicy crab roll

Do you like things over-spicy? Double or triple the sriracha. It adds warmth without changing the overall flavor of the dish.

toppings

All side dishes are optional and depend on your taste: sesame seeds, avocado slices, togarashi or tobiko or masago.

How to shred the crab

There are several ways to prepare kani:

• Unroll the crab and use a knife to cut it into equal pieces (pictured above).
• Peel with your fingers like spiked cheese.
• Use two forks to “rip” the pieces apart (our least favorite option).

recipe tips

• Use Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie) for a fuller flavor. It makes a creamier dressing than using regular mayonnaise.
• Don’t like spicy sushi? Omit the sriracha all together.
• Wipe and wet the knife between cuts to keep the roll from sticking and breaking apart. Here is the sushi knife we ​​use and recommend.
• Serve immediately after serving for the best freshness, texture and flavor.

deliveries

There are a few sushi utensils that make sushi rolling MUCH easier. Here are our favorite gadgets:

bamboo mat – If you decide not to purchase a sushi mat, simply use plastic wrap to aid in the rolling process.

Sharp and wet knife – Be sure to wipe and wet the sharp knife between cuts to reduce rice sticking to the knife.

serving ideas

Spicy cucumber salad, pickled cucumbers, daikon radish go well with this dish, as does edamame.

Spicy tuna rolls
tuna roll
Avocado Roll
Tuna Sashimi

Not sure what the differences between sushi and sashimi are? Read our sushi vs sashimi guide!

drink pairings

Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Champagne, Citrus IPA or Sake

For more tips on pairing sushi and wine, check out our Best Wine With Sushi guide.