Homemade Sushi Cups

The best recipes don’t come from perfectly styled kitchens or carefully written cookbooks. 

They come from real life — from the kitchens where moms are packing lunches, answering questions, finishing homework at the counter, and maybe holding their favorite Starbucks order in the other hand.

That’s exactly the kind of kitchen this recipe comes from.

Recently, one of our favorite teachers and accounts to follow — Mal, the heart behind @my_teachermom_life — shared a quick idea on her Instagram stories that immediately caught our attention: homemade sushi cups baked in a muffin tin.

Simple. Creative. And exactly the kind of clever kitchen moment that makes you stop and think, why didn’t I think of that?

Mal is one of those women who brings warmth and joy to everything she does. She’s brilliant, kind, absolutely beautiful inside and out, and most importantly, a devoted mom who somehow makes the everyday feel special. If you’re lucky enough to know her, you already know how much heart she brings to the world around her.

Her sushi cups are a fun twist on traditional sushi — perfect for a quick family dinner, a casual gathering, or even something new to try when you’re craving sushi at home.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked sushi rice

• 1 cup salmon, diced (fresh or cooked)

• ½ cup cucumber, diced

• 1 avocado, diced

• Optional toppings: spicy mayo, soy sauce, sesame seeds

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a muffin tin.

• Press a scoop of cooked sushi rice into each muffin cup, gently pressing it down so it forms a small base.

• Top each rice cup with diced salmon, then bake for about 12 minutes, until the salmon is cooked through and the edges of the rice begin to lightly crisp.

• Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before adding fresh toppings.

• Finish with cucumber, avocado, and any extras you love — spicy mayo, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of soy sauce.

• Serve warm and enjoy.

Mal shared one honest note about the recipe that we loved:

“They didn’t hold their shape perfectly yet — but they were still delicious. I need to perfect the recipe more.”

And honestly, that’s part of what makes recipes like this so special. Some of the best things we cook aren’t meant to be perfect — they’re meant to be shared, tweaked, and made again.

Be sure to follow @my_teachermom_life for more real-life recipes, motherhood moments, and the kind of everyday inspiration that reminds us the heart of the home is always the kitchen.