This crispy rice salad is one you will be craving week after week! Crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, and avocado are tossed in a to-die-for tahini dressing, then topped with flavor-packed crispy baked rice. Add chicken or shrimp for added protein, or enjoy it all on its own. It holds up well in the fridge, so it’s also great for meal prep!

If you love this recipe, you’ll also love this spring roll salad with peanut sauce, this viral cucumber roll salad and this famous La Scala chopped salad! Need more? Check out these 10 delicious Asian salad recipes!

Crispy rice salad with tahini dressing in a large salad bowl.

Recipe Ingredients: Crispy Rice Salad with Tahini Dressing

For the dressing:

Tahini
Soy sauce
Rice vinegar
Honey
Sesame oil
Salt
Water

For the salad and crispy rice:

Cooked rice
Sesame oil
Soy sauce
Chili crisp (optional)
Cabbage or cole slaw mix
Cucumber
Carrots
Red pepper
Fresh cilantro and mint
Edamame
Avocado
Peanuts

Ingredients needed to make crispy rice salad and the tahini dressing.

How to Make the Crispy Rice: Step by Step

Rice in a bowl tossed with soy sauce. — Stir together rice, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili crisp (if using).

Rice tossed with soy sauce on a baking sheet. — Spread rice evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Crispy rice after it's been cooked. — Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until the rice is deep golden brown or your desired crispiness!

Assemble the Crispy Rice Salad

All crispy rice salad ingredients in a bowl. — Add all salad ingredients to a large serving bowl.

Crispy rice salad tossed with the tahini dressing. — Toss with the tahini dressing and top with crispy rice!

Ingredient Notes, Substitutions & Additions

Cabbage/carrots: To avoid chopping/shredding, use a bagged cole slaw mix with both cabbage and carrots.

Tahini: Tahini is a sesame paste and is now widely available at chain grocery stores, Trader Joe’s, or of course, on Amazon. If you can’t find tahini, you can substitute peanut butter or almond butter.

Chili Crisp: This is my favorite chili crisp from Trader Joe’s, but use any version you like! You can find it at most grocery stores in the Asian section or again, on Amazon!

Protein: This salad is amazing all on it’s own but for added protein, add chicken, shrimp, tofu, or even lentils.

Expert Tips

Storage: You can keep the undressed salad in the fridge for 3-4 days. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Make ahead tip: You can make this salad a few days ahead of time and have it for meal prep. Just store the dressing and the salad separately to ensure freshness. Also, if you are making this for meal prep, add the avocado the day you plan to enjoy the salad.
Dressing consistency: Start by adding 1/2 cup of water to the dressing. Splash in a bit more if you like a thinner dressing.
Crispy rice: Watch the rice carefully in the oven to ensure it doesn’t burn. You are looking for a nice, deep golden brown color.
Crispy rice in the air fryer: You can also cook the crispy rice in your air fryer at 400°F for about 7-10 minutes.
Rice: Day old, dry rice is best, but it’s not necessary. Just make sure the rice has cooled a first.
Ditch exact amounts: The salad ingredient amounts are simply a guide. Add more or less of whatever you like or don’t like! Psst–I always add extra avocado!

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Thank you! ~ Casey