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Forget the sushi mat—these viral tofu baked sushi cups deliver all the crave-worthy flavors with none of the stress. They’re crispy on the edges, creamy in the middle, and packed with umami flavor.

Serve them with this Thai Cucumber Salad and Air Fryer Spring Rolls. Or make it a full sushi spread with this more traditional Tofu Sushi.

Holding a vegan baked sushi cup with chopsticks.
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If you’ve been craving a vegetarian twist on the viral baked sushi trend, your prayers have been answered! Our tofu baked sushi cups may skip the fish, but they definitely don’t skimp on the bold flavors, creamy fillings, and crunchy nori edges.

Instead of cutting tofu into cubes, we break it by hand (this helps create those rough edges that crisp up perfectly in the oven!). Whether you’re meal-prepping lunches or whipping them up for your next portable party appetizer, these vegan-friendly sushi bites are a game-changer.

Reader rating

★★★★★

“This was such a fun and creative recipe – and the results were beyond delicious. We all loved them!” —Jeremy

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Vegan baked sushi cups on a plate.

Grab These Ingredients

These portable sushi bites come together with just a few kitchen staples. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

  • Tofu: Pre-marinated tofu packs a ton of flavor and saves time. I use Hodo brand, but if you only have plain tofu, add a tablespoon of miso to the marinade.
  • Marinade: To give our tofu a burst of creamy, spicy flavor, we’ll coat it with a mixture of vegan mayo, vegan cream cheese, and sriracha.
  • Furikake Rice Seasoning: This blend of seaweed, sesame seeds, and umami-rich seasonings takes these cups to the next level!
  • Sushi Rice: To make the sushi rice, we’ll combine cooked sushi rice, rice vinegar, and salt. We tested this recipe with different grains, but short-grain sushi rice provides that signature sticky texture needed to hold the cups together.

ish-Free Furikake

When shopping for furikake, check the label for one that’s made without bonito flakes or fish-based seasonings. Instead, go for blends with just sesame seeds, seaweed, and other plant-based flavorings. If you can’t find a strictly vegetarian version, you can always make your own by toasting sesame seeds, crumbling nori, and mixing in a pinch of salt and sugar for a homemade fish-free alternative.

Various ingredients for Tofu Baked Sushi Cups, including avocado, cucumber, green onion, tofu, cream cheese, sriracha, mayo, furikake, nori, and a bowl of rice, arranged on a green surface.

Making These Sushi Cups Is A Breeze

This beginner-friendly sushi recipe couldn’t be easier—no bamboo mat, no tricky rolling, just filling up some muffin cups. This is an overview of the recipe. Jump to the recipe card for the full printable recipe.

  1. Cook the rice and mix it with seasonings.
  2. Break the tofu, then toss the pieces with the marinade.
  3. Cut the nori into squares (12 squares total).
  4. Press 2-3 tbsp of rice onto each square, then place in muffin tin.
  5. Fill the cups with the tofu mixture.
  6. Bake until the edges are crispy.
  7. Top with diced veggies and sauces.

Nori Tip

When cutting the nori into squares, it helps to stack the sheets for quicker cutting. You can also lightly dampen the blade of your knife to reduce tearing. And if you find a knife too tricky, try using scissors for equally clean, precise edges.

Baked sushi cups with tofu in a muffin tin.
Let the baked cups cool slightly in the muffin tin before removing them—they’ll hold their shape much better this way.
Baked sushi cups with tofu on a wooden plate.

Hosting Sushi Night?

Vegan Baked Sushi Cups (With Tofu!)

5 from 1 rating
Prep: 35 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Servings: 12 cups
These viral tofu baked sushi cups are crispy, creamy, and packed with umami flavor—no sushi mat or rolling required! An easy, stress-free way to enjoy sushi night at home.

Ingredients 

Sushi Rice

  • 2 cups cooked sushi rice
  • 2 tsp rice vinegar, 10 mL
  • ¼ tsp salt

Tofu Filling

  • ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup vegan cream cheese
  • ¼ cup furikake rice seasoning
  • 2 Tbsp sriracha
  • 2 8-oz packages miso-marinated extra-firm tofu, I used Hodo brand, if using unflavored tofu just add 1 Tbsp miso paste to mixture

Assembly

  • 3 large sheets nori, or 12 snack-sized pieces
  • Diced veggies: avocado, cucumber, green onions
  • Sauce: spicy mayo, soy sauce
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
  • Rice: Cook rice according to package instructions to get 2 cups cooked sushi rice. In a small bowl, stir together 2 tsp rice vinegar and ¼ tsp salt, then gently fold that into the cooked rice.
    Making rice in a pot.
  • Tofu: In a large bowl, stir together ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise, ¼ cup vegan cream cheese, ¼ cup furikake rice seasoning, and 2 Tbsp sriracha. Break 2 8-oz packages miso-marinated extra-firm tofu into bite-sized pieces and fold it into the sauce.
    Stirring tofu with spicy mayo.
  • Line Muffin Tins: Cut each piece of nori into 4 squares to end up with 12 squares. Add 2-3 tablespoons of rice to each nori sheet, then gently push into the muffin tin. Repeat until the muffin tin is filled.
    Putting rice on nori into muffin tins.
  • Add Tofu: Spoon tofu mixture evenly into each cup.
    Baked tofu sushi cups before baking.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, or until browned a bit on top and sides are crispy. Let cool for a few minutes before trying to remove them from the muffin tin–they need to firm up a bit.
    Baked tofu sushi cups after baking.
  • Serve: Top with your desired diced veggies and sauces and enjoy!
    Holding a vegan baked sushi cup with chopsticks.

Notes

Can I omit the furikake rice seasoning? If you don’t have furikake, you can use a mix of toasted sesame seeds and a pinch of seaweed flakes.
How do I prevent the nori from getting chewy? Bake the sushi cups until the edges start to crisp up. This will help the nori develop a better texture.
Storage: These miso tofu sushi bites are super easy to store! Let them cool, then transfer them to an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer to get some of that crisp texture back!
Prep Ahead: For extra convenience, you can prep the rice and tofu mixture a day ahead. When you’re ready to bake, just assemble and pop your cups in the oven!
did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag @liveeatlearn on social media! I love seeing what you’ve made!
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5 from 1 vote

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4 Comments

  1. Ken Gurvin says:

    Three questions, please.
    Is there a way to soften the Nori so it does not break apart when placing it in the muffing cup?
    Can I substitute Cauliflower rice for Sushi rice?
    Can I use Gomasio instead of Furikake seasoning?

    Thank you,

    1. Sarah Bond says:

      Great questions! To soften the nori, you can briefly wave each sheet over steam or a warm burner for a second or two—just enough to make it more flexible without turning soggy. Cauliflower rice is a fine substitute for sushi rice if you’re looking for a low-carb option; just make sure it’s cooked and well-drained so your cups don’t end up watery. And yes, gomasio works beautifully in place of furikake—it gives that nice salty, nutty sesame flavor without the seaweed and other extras. Let me know how they turn out!

  2. Jeremy Shatan says:

    5 stars
    This was such a fun and creative recipe – and the results were beyond delicious. We all loved them!

    1. The Live Eat Learn Team says:

      You’re the best, thanks for the feedback!