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Home » Recipes » Dish Type » Appetizers

Homemade California Rolls (Sushi)

Published: Mar 29, 2019 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Dec 21, 2021 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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Pinterest Pin with text in the middle and 2 photos of califlornia rolls (sushi) at the bottom and top

There are probably a zillion recipes for Homemade California rolls (sushi) out there, but I'm posting mine because I think it's awesome and it's not exactly like all the other ones... It's also Weight Watchers friendly (2 points on my plan) and you can find how how many WW points it is on your personal plan HERE!

9 california rolls in a sushi dish with sriracha mayonnaise swirled on top

Homemade sushi is easier than you think and a lot of fun to make AND eat! But if you're wondering, "are California rolls actually considered sushi?" then read on...

My daughter and I love to do DIY's together. For those of you over the age of 12, DIY is the acronym for "Do it Yourself." Sometimes it's a craft and sometimes it's a food. We've made a lot of fun stuff together, including all kinds of decorated cookies, cakes, stuffed animals, pillows, terrariums and even a carpet for her locker at school!

Jump to:
  • 🥢 🍣Are California Rolls Sushi?
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪  How to make Homemade California Rolls (sushi)
  • 🎥 Video
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 💭 California Rolls Calories
  • 💭Are California rolls healthy?
  • ⭐ Reviews
  • 📋 Homemade California Rolls (Sushi) Recipe
  • More Appetizers/Finger Foods!
2 terrariums in glass jars with glass lids in front

Blue stuffed cloud pillow with white lining and a smiley face and pink cheeks

This time she suggested we make our own California Rolls and it didn't take much to convince me...

🥢 🍣Are California Rolls Sushi?

If you're wondering whether California Rolls are actually considered sushi, well, it's complicated. Although the official dictionary definition of sushi, defines it as "cold rice dressed with vinegar, formed into any of various shapes and garnished with bits of raw seafood or vegetables," it really depends on how hardcore you are when it comes to sushi. California rolls are an American type of sushi, so technically they are part of the sushi family. But if you see sushi as strictly traditional Japanese, then that changes things. You can read more about California rolls HERE! I'm going to go with these guys being part of the sushi family because I'm Canadian and part of the North American family....

🥘 Ingredients

For this homemade California Roll recipe, you'll need:

  • cucumber
  • avocado
  • crab meat *you can substitute imitation crab
  • Nori seaweed sheets
  • short grain rice
  • rice vinegar
  • sugar
  • sea salt
  • sriracha mayonnaise (optional) * you can also make your won
  • black sesame seeds

*see recipe card for quantities

We LOVE sushi/California rolls and buy them regularly at the grocery store. But they are quite expensive and not nearly as fresh tasting as making them yourself. These DIY sushi/Spicy California rolls were AMAZING and we had so much fun making them. To make them spicy, you simply add a sriracha mayonnaise to them. You can either buy it or mix mayonnaise and sriracha sauce. It was a really great mother/daughter date night!

🔪  How to make Homemade California Rolls (sushi)

California rolls are not hard to make, but they require a specific technique. With that in mind, I have showed you step-by-step how to make them. You also need a sushi mat in order to roll them properly. It just takes a little practice, but the result is worth it!

Instructions

Sushi Rice:

  1. Place the rice and 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
  2. Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds. Transfer the rice into a large wooden or glass mixing bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Fold thoroughly to combine and coat each grain of rice with the mixture. Allow to cool to room temperature before using.

How to make California Rolls:

  1. Cut Nori seaweed sheets in half, and place on a sushi rolling mat. Add ⅔ cups rice spreading evenly, pressing down onto seaweed so that it sticks.
  2. Sprinkle on some black sesame seeds (about a tsp), then flip it over.  * Don't worry it will flip over very easily and the rice will stick! Add the crab leg, cucumber and avocado.
  3. Start to roll with the end closest to you, as  shown in VIDEO ( in NOTES)
  4. Once tightly rolled, cut evenly into pieces and serve!
Collage of 4 photos showing how to make California Rolls

🎥 Video

https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Making-California-rolls.mov

👪 Serving Size

This recipe makes 36 rolls If you want to cut the recipe in half, double or triple it, simply click on the blue servings in the recipe card, select the number of servings you'd like and the ingredient amounts will adjust accordingly.

🍽Equipment

You'll need a sushi rolling mat (affiliate link) to make this recipe.  You can use a traditional sushi rolling mat (covered with food safe plastic wrap/saran wrap) for this recipe, but I prefer the modern dishwasher safe rolling mats that are now available. They are easier to clean and in my world, that means everything! I used the Lekue Makisu Silicone Sushi Mat, clear, (affiliate link) and thought it was great!

Close up of California Roll with swirl of sriracha mayonnaise on top and additional rolls in the background

💭 California Rolls Calories

The calories in California rolls are relatively low. (61 calories). And these are only 2 WW points on my personal WW plan, but click on the link in the NOTES to see how much they are on your WW plan.

💭Are California rolls healthy?

And they are pretty healthy as far as appetizer recipes go, considering they are comprised of veggies, rice, seaweed and seafood (albeit imitation). But you can check out the nutritional analysis in the notes below the recipe for more info!

The great thing about California Rolls is not just that they're healthy, they are "an experience". There are people that actually pay money to take sushi making classes, so why not try it yourself for FREE first? Either way, the result is delicious!

9 california rolls in a sushi dish with sriracha mayonnaise swirled on top

So if you're looking for homemade sushi recipes, that are also Weight Watchers friendly, give this on a try!

⭐ Reviews

Did you make this recipe? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE  (get my FREE E-cookbook) and be sure to FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

homemade California rolls with sriracha mayonnaise
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Homemade California Rolls (Sushi) Recipe

This simple, healthy and delicious Homemade California Rolls (sushi) appetizer recipe with cucumber, imitation crab, avocado, Nori seaweed, rice and black sesame and sriracha mayonnaise is fun, easy to make and Weight Watchers friendly!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: california rolls, homemade, sushi
Servings: 36 rolls
Calories: 61kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

sushi mat

Ingredients

  • 1 cucumber, sliced into thin sticks
  • 2 avocados, thinly sliced
  • ½ -16 oz pkg crab meat (leg style)sliced in half, lengthwise
  • 4 sheets Nori seaweed sheets, cut in half, lengthwise about ½ of a 21 g bag
  • 4 teaspoon black sesame seeds *approximately

Sushi rice

  • 2 cups short grain rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt

Garnish:

  • Sriracha Mayonnaise * I buy this but you can make it

Instructions

Sushi Rice:

  • Place the rice and 2 cups of water into a medium saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once it begins to boil, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover. Cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
  • Combine the rice vinegar, sugar and salt in a small bowl and heat in the microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds. Transfer the rice into a large wooden or glass mixing bowl and add the vinegar mixture. Fold thoroughly to combine and coat each grain of rice with the mixture. Allow to cool to room temperature before using.

California Rolls:

  • Cut Nori seaweed sheets in half, and place on a sushi rolling mat. Add ⅔ cups rice spreading evenly,  pressing down onto seaweed so that it sticks.
  • Sprinkle on some black sesame seeds (about a tsp), then flip it over.  * Don't worry it will flip over very easily and the rice will stick!
  • Add the crab leg, cucumber and avocado.
  • Start to roll with the end closest to you, as  shown in VIDEO ( in NOTES)
  • Once tightly rolled, cut evenly into pieces and serve!

Garnish:

  • Add Sriracha mayo as desired.

Video

https://foodmeanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Making-California-rolls.mov

Notes

🔢WW POINTS
This sushi is 2 WW points on my plan but you can find how how many WW points it is on your personal plan HERE!
👪 SERVING SIZE
This recipe makes 36 rolls If you want to cut the recipe in half, double or triple it, simply click on the blue servings in the recipe card, select the number of servings you'd like and the ingredient amounts will adjust accordingly.
🍽EQUIPMENT
You'll need a sushi rolling mat (affiliate link) to make this recipe.  You can use a traditional sushi rolling mat (covered with food safe plastic wrap/saran wrap) for this recipe, but I prefer the modern dishwasher safe rolling mats that are now available. They are easier to clean and in my world, that means everything! I used the Lekue Makisu Silicone Sushi Mat, clear, (affiliate link) and thought it was great!
My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

 
Nutrition Facts
📋 Homemade California Rolls (Sushi) Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 61 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Sodium 35mg2%
Potassium 73mg2%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 20IU0%
Vitamin C 1.4mg2%
Calcium 4mg0%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Calories: 61kcal (3%) | Carbohydrates: 10g (3%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Sodium: 35mg (2%) | Potassium: 73mg (2%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg (2%) | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.6mg (3%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

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I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

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