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 perfect for regular snacking or special occasions!

What are Senbei?

Senbei are a small and crisp type of Japanese rice cracker snack. This traditional Japanese snack dates all the way back to the Tang dynasty and has been eaten by Japanese people for centuries! You can find them in a variety of shapes and sizes and flavour variations.

This tasty rice cracker snack is usually savoury and often flavored with nori seaweed, sesame, and other traditional Japanese flavors. Senbei are commonly served alongside green tea for a lovely, tasty rice cracker snack. 

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 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 senbei recipe is for you! 

Ingredient Notes

Making Japanese snacks homemade is so easy! And so much healthier 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. It’s found in Asian markets.
• 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 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.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375F.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Transfer the circle onto a nonstick baking mat-lined tray and repeat with the remaining dough.
6. Bake for about 10 minutes, flip, and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
7. 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.
8. Allow the crackers to cool completely before enjoying them. Cooking time may vary based on the width of your crackers.

Expert Tips

• Serving: Serve your senbei with a warm cup of green tea for an authentic, tasty snack. 
• Swaps: If you aren’t gluten-free, feel free to use regular, low-sodium soy sauce. 
• Storage: Store leftover senbei in an airtight container or zip-top bag at room temperature. 

Recipe FAQs

Try These Tasty Snacks

Kinako Rice Krispies with Peanuts and Mochi (vegan, gluten free)

Nametake Recipe – Seasoned Japanese Mushrooms (vegan, gluten free)

Tsukimi Dango (vegan, gluten free)

If you make these crispy, crunchy Japanese Rice Crackers (Senbei), be sure to let me know what you think with a comment below!

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