The air fryer does something magical with a can of Spam. So much so, I’m never going back to pan frying it! This air fryer Spam musubi is an easy and flavorful way to showcase the brilliant caramelization and flavors you can achieve with it!
The air fryer is the absolutely perfect tool for cooking Spam. It delivers crispy, caramelized edges to your meat, and you only need to flip it once. That’s low effort for a lot of flavor!
Did I mention it cooks in under 10 minutes as well? Whether you choose to make yours into musubi like I am here, enjoy it on its own, or even throw it into a hash, air fry Spam is truly the best!
Musubi is a great choice, though, as it’s easy to make, flavorful, and also a great way to use up leftover rice. It packs easily in lunches, and only requires one hand to eat so you can keep on multitasking!
You can use any flavor of Spam that you like! I just prefer the low sodium
Use your favorite prepared teriyaki sauce, or you can even make your own. Check out my quick Microwave Teriyaki Sauce for inspiration!
If you buy sheets of nori, they often have perforated lines on them – you’ll want 2 sections for the width (make sure to cut off the scrap edges)
I don’t add salt to my rice since I find the Spam salty enough, but you can add 1 tsp of salt to it if you’d like
Variations For Spam Musubi
Bacon Wrapped. Wrap your musubi in bacon for an extra crunchy, salty bite. I cook mine for about 5 minutes, then wrap it around the Spam and proceed as normal
Spicy. Use jalapeno or a similar spicy Spam, and finish your musubi with a drizzle of spicy mayo or sriracha aioli for a kick!
Breakfast. Fry or scramble an egg, then layer it between the rice and the cooked Spam for a breakfast sandwich twist!
How to Make Air Fryer Spam Musubi
Cook your sushi rice in 3 cups of water (you want it to be on the overdone side and “sticky” for best results). You can use the stove, the microwave (15 minutes on high, stir after 10), an instant pot, or a rice cooker for this. Mix in the rice vinegar or mirin and allow the rice to cool
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
Open the can of Spam and slice the loaf into 8 equal slices lengthwise. Wash the can out, but do not discard
Place the Spam slices into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, then brush the meat with half of the teriyaki sauce
Cook on the air fry setting for 4 minutes, then flip, apply the other half of the teriyaki sauce, and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until browned on the edges
To assemble the Spam musubi, line the empty can with plastic wrap or nonstick spray. Then, place ½ cup of the cooked rice into the bottom of the can and pack it down firmly. Sprinkle furikake or togarashi seasoning over top of the rice, then top it with a slice of cooked Spam.
Remove the Spam and rice from the can, and transfer it over top of a strip of seaweed. Bring the edges of the seaweed together, and seal with a little bit of water
Top with spicy mayo (or serve on the side) if desired. Enjoy!
What to Serve With Spam Musubi
Fried rice
Kimchi
Stir Fry
Miso soup
Edamame
Noodles
Spring rolls
Wontons
Pickled radish
Tempura
Sushi
Poke
Hawaiian sweet rolls
Hawaiian macaroni salad
Pineapple coleslaw
Scrambled eggs
Green salad
There are lots of great dishes to serve with Spam musubi to complete your meal!
While the traditional Spam Musubi recipe features Spam as the primary meat, you can certainly experiment with other meats like grilled chicken, teriyaki beef, or even tofu for a vegetarian option.
Just ensure the meat is cooked and seasoned to your liking before assembling the musubi.
Can I Prepare a Large Batch of Spam Musubi in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can prepare a large batch of Spam musubi in the air fryer. You can cook as many slices of Spam at a time as fit in a single layer in your air fryer.
If needed, cook in batches to maintain proper air circulation, ensuring the slices cook evenly. Then, just scale up the other ingredients accordingly for the number of servings you’re making.
Should I Brush the Spam With Oil Before Air Frying?
Spam contains a lot of natural grease, so there should be no need to brush it with oil before air frying.
However, if you feel your Spam is looking dry or isn’t browning the way you’d like, feel free to add a small amount of oil spray to it to assist.
What’s the Best Way to Reheat Leftover Air Fryer Spam Musubi?
To reheat leftover air fryer Spam musubi, you can use the air fryer again for about 3 minutes at a lower temperature of 350°F, or until warmed through. You may want to line your air fryer with parchment or foil to keep the rice from falling through the grate.
Alternatively, you can reheat them in the microwave for a short time, but be cautious not to overheat to avoid making them too dry.
Can I Use Short-Grain Brown Rice Instead of White Rice?
No, unfortunately brown rice doesn’t work the same in this recipe. You’ll need to use sushi or sticky rice, or overcooked regular short grain white rice to achieve the stickiness needed to get the rice to form.
Brown rice doesn’t have the same level of stickiness, so it won’t adhere properly. You can, however, make Spam fried rice with brown rice.
Can Spam Be Cooked in an Air Fryer?
Spam can absolutely be cooked in an air fryer. In fact, it comes out with the same browning as pan frying, with less attention required.
In fact, Spam cooked in an air fryer may even be crispier than the stove, due to the higher temperatures you can achieve.
How Many Minutes to Cook Spam in an Air Fryer?
On average, it takes about 8-10 minutes to cook Spam in an air fryer at 400°F.
Time will vary slightly based on your air fryer, variety of Spam, and your desired level of browning.
Recipe Pro Tips
It’s fine to lower the amount of rice per musubi if you want it less thick. About ¼ cup will give you equal thickness to the Spam
The seaweedhas a naturally fishy smell from the ocean that may be off-putting to those who don’t like fish. It does not taste fishy, though. However, you can substitute soy wrappers instead if you really want to avoid this (but they’ll look different!)
This recipe for Spam musubi was tested in a Ninja air fryer. Other air fryer times may vary slightly. Add additional time in small increments until desired level of browning is achieved
Of course, if you don’t want to make musubi, you can follow the directions for the Spam cooking only and use it in any other dish you like!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Any leftover Spam musubi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
To reheat Spam musubi, air fry for 3-4 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. You may want to use parchment to line the basket to keep the rice from falling through (or heat just the Spam by itself). You may also microwave it for 45-60 seconds, but it tends to dry out and lose crispiness this way
The air fryer is the perfect way to create delightful, crispy Spam for your musubi. Not only is it convenient, but it gives you an even better result than pan frying!
Of course, you’ll still have to cook your rice in a more traditional manner, but the air fryer makes sure that the meat portion of the recipe is perfect and ready to go.
You can play with the flavors of Spam and the seasoning you choose to create unique combinations that fit your taste preferences perfectly.
I love to serve my Spam musubi with some miso soup and Hawaiian rolls, but you can choose your favorites!
Easy Air Fryer Spam Musubi
Your air fryer is the perfect way to cook up Spam for musubi. It’s golden brown and perfectly done, with the Spam taking under 10 minutes!
Rice cooker (or pan for stove or bowl for microwave)
Ingredients
12Ouncecan low sodium Spam
¼Cupprepared teriyaki sauce
2Cupssticky or sushi rice
1Tsprice wine vinegar (or mirin)
8Stripsnori seaweed(approximately 2" wide)
Furikake (or togarashi for more spice) seasoning
Spicy mayo for serving(optional)
Instructions
Cook your sushi rice in 3 cups of water (you want it to be on the overdone side and “sticky” for best results). You can use the stove, the microwave (15 minutes on high, stir after 10), an instant pot, or a rice cooker for this. Mix in the rice vinegar or mirin, and allow the rice to cool
Open the can of Spam and slice the loaf into 8 equal slices lengthwise. Wash the can out, but do not discard
12 Ounce can low sodium Spam
Place the Spam slices into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, then brush the meat with half of the teriyaki sauce
¼ Cup prepared teriyaki sauce
Cook on the air fry setting for 4 minutes, then flip, apply the other half of the teriyaki sauce, and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until browned on the edges
To assemble the Spam musubi, line the empty can with plastic wrap or nonstick spray. Then, place ½ cup of the cooked rice into the bottom of the can and pack it down firmly. Sprinkle furikake or togarashi seasoning over top of the rice, then top it with a slice of cooked Spam. Remove it from the can, and transfer it over top of a strip of seaweed. Bring the edges of the seaweed together, and seal with a little bit of water
Furikake (or togarashi for more spice) seasoning, 8 Strips nori seaweed
Top with spicy mayo (or serve on the side) if desired. Enjoy!
Spicy mayo for serving
Notes
You can use any flavor of Spam that you like! I just prefer the low sodium
Use your favorite prepared teriyaki sauce, or you can make your own homemade
If you buy sheets of nori, they often have perforated lines on them – you’ll want 2 sections for the width (make sure to cut off the scrap edges)
I don’t add salt to my rice since I find the Spam salty enough, but you can add 1 tsp of salt to it if you’d like
It’s fine to lower the amount of rice per musubi if you want it less thick. About ¼ cup will give you equal thickness to the Spam
The seaweedhas a naturally fishy smell from the ocean that may be off-putting to those who don’t like fish. It does not taste fishy, though. However, you can substitute soy wrappers instead if you really want to avoid this (but they’ll look different!)
This recipe for Spam musubi was tested in a Ninja air fryer. Other air fryer times may vary slightly. Add additional time in small increments until desired level of browning is achieved
Of course, if you don’t want to make musubi, you can follow the directions for the Spam cooking only and use it in any other dish you like!
Any leftover Spam musubi can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
To reheat Spam musubi, air fry for 3-4 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. You may want to use parchment to line the basket to keep the rice from falling through (or heat just the Spam by itself). You may also microwave it for 45-60 seconds, but it tends to dry out and lose crispiness this way
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Keyword air fry Spam, air fryer Spam musubi, air fryer Spam recipes, how to cook Spam, ninja air fryer Spam musubi, Spam, Spam musubi recipe, Spam recipe
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
