Craving sushi while sticking to a high-protein, bariatric-friendly lifestyle? This Air Fryer Seed-Free Sushi Bake gives you all the rich, savory flavor of a traditional sushi roll—without the high-carb rice or hard-to-digest seeds.

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, looking for low-carb meal preps, or just need a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes right in your air fryer!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bariatric & Gut Friendly: Uses cauliflower rice instead of traditional sushi rice to keep carbs low and gentle on digestion.
100% Seed-Free: Replaces traditional sesame seed furikake with finely crushed nori sheets so you get that classic umami flavor without seeds.
High-Protein Boost: Swapping part of the mayo for plain non-fat Greek yogurt boosts protein without compromising on creaminess.
Air Fryer Speed: Cooks in just 10–12 minutes, giving you a warm, lightly golden top layer.

Recipe Details

Prep time: 15 minutes
Air Fryer Time: 10–12 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Dietary Focus: High-Protein | Low-Carb | Seed-Free | Bariatric-Friendly

Estimated Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Note: Calculations are based on using light cream cheese, light mayonnaise, and lump crab meat or cooked salmon divided into 6 equal portions.

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	~145 kcal
Protein	13g
Total Fat	7g
Saturated Fat	2.5g
Total Carbohydrates	4g
Dietary Fiber	1.5g
Net Carbs	2.5g
Sodium	~320mg

Prep time: 15 minutes

Air Fryer Time: 10–12 minutes

Servings: 6

Dietary: High-Protein | Low-Carb | Seed-Free | Bariatric-Friendly

Ingredients

The Cauliflower Base

3 cups Cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen, cooked and squeezed completely dry)

2 tbsp Light cream cheese (softened)

1 tbsp Unseasoned rice vinegar

1 tsp Low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos

The Protein Topping

8 oz Real lump crab meat or cooked salmon fillet (flaked)

½ cup Light mayonnaise or plain non-fat Greek yogurt (or a 50/50 mix)

2 tbsp Light cream cheese (softened)

1 tsp Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional, to taste)

1 tsp Low-sodium soy sauce

Seed-Free Garnish & Serving

2 sheets Roasted Nori (seaweed), finely crushed or shredded

2 Green onions (finely chopped)

Optional: Sliced avocado or deseeded cucumber

Roasted seaweed snack sheets (for scooping)

Air Fryer Instructions

Prepare the Base:

Cook the cauliflower rice thoroughly. Transfer it to a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out all excess moisture so the base holds together and doesn’t get soggy.

Mix the Rice Layer:

In a bowl, mix the dried cauliflower rice, 2 tbsp softened cream cheese, rice vinegar, and 1 tsp soy sauce until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into an even layer at the bottom of an air fryer-safe dish or silicone liner that fits your air fryer basket.

Add Seaweed Layer:

Crumble one sheet of roasted nori evenly over the cauliflower rice layer.

Prepare Seafood Filling:

In a separate bowl, fold together the flaked salmon or crab, mayonnaise/Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp cream cheese, Sriracha (if using), and 1 tsp soy sauce until smooth and creamy.

Assemble & Air Fry:

Spread the seafood mixture evenly over the cauliflower base. Place the baking dish inside the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes until heated through and nicely browned on top.

Garnish & Serve:

Top with the remaining crushed nori sheet and chopped green onions. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Bariatric & Portion Notes

Protein Boost: Using plain non-fat Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise increases protein content while maintaining a smooth texture.

Seed-Free Umami: Crushed Nori replaces traditional Furikake seasoning to avoid sesame seeds completely.

Air Fryer Tip: Lowering the temperature to 350°F (compared to oven baking) prevents the top seafood layer from scorching before the base heats through.

Serving Suggestion: Portion into 2–4 oz servings and chew thoroughly. Use individual seaweed snack sheets to scoop up small portions like mini tacos.

Who says we can’t have sushi night on a post-op or low-carb diet? Enjoy! 🍣😋✨