The BEST Japanese Rice Crackers Recipe (Senbei)

May 27, 2022 • Updated Feb 21, 2024

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These crunchy and savory Japanese rice crackers (Senbei) are an ideal snack or appetizer seasoned with togarashi, sesame seeds, and furikake. Adapted with easy, gluten-free swaps to make these rice crackers gluten-free! A popular Japanese snack, these senbei crackers are the perfect snack for everyday or special occasions!

What are Senbei?

Senbei are traditional Japanese rice cracker snacks that are enjoyed as snacks or accompaniments to tea. They are made from glutinous rice, leftover rice, or a combination of both and come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and flavors.

These traditional Japanese crackers date all the way back to the Tang dynasty and have been a staple in Japanese culture for centuries.

Senbei are popular snacks in Japan and are often enjoyed with green tea or as a topping for soups and salads. They are also commonly found in Japanese supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, and souvenir shops. In the United States, you can find them at local Asian markets and online. But they’re also super easy to make at home!

This tasty rice cracker snack is usually savory with a salty taste and often flavored with nori seaweed, sesame, and other traditional Japanese flavors. Your guests will love them (and so will you!).

Here are some key features of Senbei:

Texture: Traditional Senbei are crispy, crunchy rice crackers with a texture that is so addictive!
Flavor: These crackers have a wide range of different flavours, from savory to sweet. Common savory flavors include soy sauce, seaweed, shrimp, or wasabi. Sweet varieties include classic flavors like sugar-coated or glazed options. There are a ton of unique flavors to choose from. Today I’m making togarashi senbei.
Shapes and sizes: Senbei can have a round shape, square, rectangular, or even shaped like animals or cartoon characters. They vary in size, from bite-sized pieces to larger crackers.
Types: There are many different types of these delicious snacks. Arare are small, bite-sized crackers with a crunchy texture. Norimaki senbei are wrapped in a sheet of seaweed, providing an additional layer of salty flavor. Okaki senbei are thicker and crunchier compared to other types.
Regional variations: Different regions in Japan have their own unique styles and flavors of senbei. For example, Kyoto is famous for its delicate and subtly flavored senbei, while Hiroshima is known for its thick and crunchy okaki senbei.

What Makes This Recipe Great

While “rice crackers” may seem naturally gluten-free, Senbei are typically made with soy sauce which contains wheat flour gluten. I adapted this Senbei recipe to use gluten-free soy sauce (Tamari) to make them fully gluten-free without losing any flavor.

My version of these most popular snacks makes a sweet and savory snackable cracker that takes just 35 minutes to make. If you have cravings for a salty, subtly sweet, and crunchy snack, this classic senbei recipe is for you!

Okay, let’s go on a snack adventure with these crunchy Japanese Rice Crackers!

Ingredient Notes

Making Japanese snacks homemade is so easy! And a much healthier option than a bag of potato chips. Here’s all you need for a tasty rice cracker snack:

Rice flour: This is the main ingredient. Look for glutinous rice flour, also known as mochiko. Look for this in Asian markets or grocery stores.
White rice: You’ll need to start with cooked short-grain rice.
Furikake: This is a flavor-packed Japanese seasoning blend made with seaweed, sesame seeds, and more.
Tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce. If you’re not gluten-free, you can use regular low-sodium soy sauce.
Mirin: This is seasoned rice wine vinegar that has a nice sweet flavor.
Sesame seeds: I like a mixture of black sesame seeds and white sesame seeds for color, but if you can only find one, use it!
Shichimi togarashi: This is Japanese chili powder. Add it according to your taste buds for spice. You can also use red pepper flakes if desired.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375F.
In a food processor, pulse rice flour, cooked rice, salt, and oil until you achieve a coarse powder. Then stream in water as you continue to run the food processor.
Transfer the mixture into a mixing bowl, add furikake seasoning to taste, and toss to combine with a spatula. Using your hands, press together the mixture. It should hold together once pressure is applied, even if the mixture looks dry at first.
For the next step, take golf ball-sized scoops of the mixture, press them between your hands to compress and then form into a ball. Place the ball between 2 sheets of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to flatten it down as much as possible. Gently peel the top layer of parchment paper off and use a cookie cutter or other circular item to cut a circle.
Transfer the circle onto a nonstick baking mat-lined tray and repeat with the remaining dough.
Bake for about 10 minutes, flip, and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
For the final step, mix together tamari and mirin in a small cup and whisk together to combine. Brush a layer of this glaze on top of both sides of each cracker piece, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. If adding nori seaweed, slice thin, rectangular, and small pieces to wrap around the cracker. You can cut smaller pieces if preferred. Return the crackers to the oven and bake for an additional 3-4 minutes to achieve that perfect crunchy texture and delicious flavour.
Allow the crackers to cool completely before enjoying them. Cooking time may vary based on the width of your crackers.

Expert Tips

Swaps: If you aren’t gluten-free, feel free to use regular, low-sodium soy sauce.
Spice: If you want to add spice to your Senbei, you can sprinkle some Shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili powder) or red chili pepper flakes in step 7!

Serving Tips

Serve your senbei with a warm cup of green tea for an authentic, unforgettable snack.

Storage Tips

Store leftover senbei in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. This savory snack will last for a few weeks if stored properly.

Recipe FAQs

Are these Japanese rice crackers gluten-free?

Yes! Using my easy swaps, these delicious Japanese snacks are totally gluten-free!

What does senbei taste like?

These soft white crackers (senbei) have a savory, light soy sauce flavor with a hint of sweetness. The crackers taste salty but are offset by a subtle sweetness. This, plus their crispy texture, makes them a tasty snack! You’ll love the crunch!

Are all Japanese rice crackers senbei?

No! This is just one type of Japanese rice cracker. Many traditional Japanese snacks are similar to these and come in various shapes, sizes, and flavors. Japanese senbei is a popular, famous snack, but there are many other traditional crackers to choose from.

Are senbei rice crackers healthy?

Yes! These types of Asian rice crackers are super delicious to snack on and much healthier than potato chips or other alternatives. Plus, they are homemade with fresh ingredients, so they are not as highly processed as other store-bought snack options. They’ll be your new favorite snack in no time.