This avocado maki roll is a simple sushi roll with only avocado as the filling. This simple roll style is the most common type of sushi roll in Japan, with the single filling and rice wrapped inside a nori sheet. Maki sushi rolls are a great option for beginners who are new to making sushi at home! Since this is such a simple roll, try to start with fresh ingredients for the best results. For the best avocado sushi rolls, you want to use a perfectly ripe, creamy avocado.
If you're looking for other simple rolls to make alongside this avocado roll, check out the other maki rolls on this site!
If you're new to making sushi, please see the Sushi Beginner's Guide before getting started! This includes guides to all the basics, FAQ, and how to source ingredients. This site focuses on Americanized/Westernized sushi, check out the Types of Sushi page to learn more!
FAQ
What's in an avocado maki?
An avocado maki is a simple sushi roll containing just sliced avocado, seasoned sushi rice, and nori. They are a simple, vegan sushi roll that contains no raw fish!
How many calories are there in an avocado maki?
Calorie counts will vary for avocado maki from restaurants, but this recipe contains 250 calories per one roll (6 pieces per roll). This is a great low-calorie sushi roll choice!
How to make Avocado Maki:
For the full recipe, see the recipe card at the bottom of the page!
- Prepare your seasoned sushi rice following my sushi rice recipe (sushi rice is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt). Sushi rice is best when made with Japanese medium-grain or short-grain rice. You can prepare it in a rice cooker, or in a pot on the stove. Let the sushi rice come to room temperature before rolling. If desired, trim your sheet of nori smaller before rolling.
- Cut your avocado in half, remove the pit, and peel the half you're using. Slice the avocado into slices about a ¼ inch thick.
- On top of a bamboo sushi mat, cover the sheet of nori in a thin even layer of rice, filling all the way out to the edges but leaving a strip along the top without rice, as pictured. (You can wrap your rolling mat in plastic wrap if desired, but that is more important for rolls with rice on the outside)
- Arrange the thin slices of avocado in a line, about one inch from the bottom of the sheet, as pictured. Try to make the filling as uniform as possible.
- Use a little water to lightly wet the exposed strip of nori along the top of the sheet (so the roll will stick), then carefully and tightly roll up the roll. This should create a uniform, thin roll.
- Remove the roll from the bamboo mat and place it on a cutting board. Grab a sharp knife and run the knife under water for a second, then shake off any excess. Cut the roll into 6 equal bite-sized pieces using a gentle sawing motion with the knife, running the knife under the tap between every 2-3 cuts to prevent sticking.
- Plate the roll on your serving dish and serve immediately with a side dish of soy sauce.
Ingredients & Substitutions - Avocado Maki
Don't forget to check out the guides on Buying Fish For Sushi and Buying Other Ingredients for Sushi if you're not sure where to find what you need! I include online product links for reference, but it's typically much cheaper to purchase these items locally, so check out your local options!
Avocado Slices
- Slice the avocado into ~¼" thick pieces. You should use about ~⅙th of a medium avocado.
- It's best to use a perfectly ripe avocado if you can. Ripe avocados will be slightly soft when pressed, but not mushy.
- I like to buy my avocados while they're still hard, then transfer them to the fridge once they're perfectly ripe. Avocados ripen much slower in the fridge.
Sushi rice
- Sushi rice is prepared, medium grain rice that is seasoned with rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. The seasoning added to the rice is what give it the distinctive taste and sticky texture.
- If possible, I strongly recommend picking up the proper kind of rice rather than using whatever rice you have on hand. Other varieties of rice (jasmine, basmati, etc.) will not turn out the same.
- Follow my recipe for Simple Sushi Rice before you begin making your sushi. You can find more information there on locating the proper ingredients.
Nori
- Nori is the seaweed wrapping used to hold together sushi rolls. After opening, store leftover nori sheets in an airtight bag at room temp with all the air pressed out to maintain freshness.
- Packages of nori vary a lot in quantity and price. I've tried out a variety of brands at different price points and have been happy with all of them. I don't think you need to splurge on the more expensive brands.
- A Japanese grocery store will have the widest selection of nori. You may be able to find nori in the "Asian foods" section of a large American grocery store, but you can also find nori online if needed.
- Nori comes in a variety of sizes, so make sure you pick up full sheets (approximately 8"x7"). These sheets can be cut down smaller when making rolls (if desired). You can read more about this in the How to Make Sushi Rolls post.
Avocado Maki (Simple Sushi Roll)
Ingredients
- 1 full size sheet of nori cut smaller if desired
- ~½ cup prepared, seasoned sushi rice click for recipe
- 3 avocado slices see post section for more info
Instructions
- If desired, trim your sheet of nori smaller. (click for guide)
- Cover the sheet of nori in a thin even layer of rice, filling all the way out to the edges but leaving a strip along the top without rice, as pictured. (click for guide)
- Arrange the cucumber in a line, about one inch from the bottom of the sheet, as pictured. Try to make the filling as uniform as possible. (click for guide)
- Lightly wet the exposed strip of nori along the top of the sheet (so the roll will stick), then carefully and tightly roll up the roll. (click for guide)
- Place the roll on a cutting board and grab your sharpest knife. Run the knife under water for a second, then shake off any excess. Cut the roll into 6 equal pieces using a gentile sawing motion with the knife, running the knife under the tap between every 2-3 cuts to prevent sticking. (click for guide)
- Plate the roll on your serving dish and serve immediately. (click for guide)
Notes
Nutrition
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