Bento Buddies
Turn lunchtime into a creative adventure with these Rainbow Rice Ball Creatures! Using naturally dyed sticky rice and a bit of imagination, you can mold these mini bites into animal friends or character-inspired cuties. Add nori faces, veggie arms, or fruit wings—each one becomes a bento box star your kids will love to discover!
- Prep Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 25–30 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 rice ball creatures 1x
Ingredients
2 cups cooked sticky rice (sushi or short-grain rice)
Natural food dyes:
Beet juice (pink/red)
Turmeric (yellow)
Spinach puree (green)
Nori sheets for faces and details
Optional add-ins: shredded veggies, edamame, fruit bits
Small bento accessories or cookie cutters (optional)
Instructions
Divide cooked rice into 3 bowls.
Mix each with a small amount of natural dye until evenly colored.
Let rice cool slightly, then shape into balls or creatures using your hands or molds.
Cut nori into eyes, mouths, and fun details with scissors or a punch.
Decorate rice creatures and place in a bento box with extra fruits or veggies to create a garden or scene.
Store in fridge and pack with an ice pack for freshness.
Notes
Whimsical, healthy, and totally edible—these rice ball creatures turn any lunchbox into a playful, colorful surprise
Nutrition
- Calories: 80–100
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
Find it online: https://minikitchenmagic.com/bento-buddies/