5 Easy Seaweed Snacks Recipes to Try

For many generations, seaweed has been a popular snack in many cultures around the world, including Korea, Japan, and other countries in Southeast Asia. Seaweed snacks are a delicious and nutritious way to get your seaweed fix, as they’re low in calories but high in essential minerals like iodine, calcium, and iron. If you’re looking to give seaweed snacks a try, here are five easy seaweed snack recipes that you can make at home.

5 Easy Seaweed Snacks Recipes to Try

What Exactly Is Seaweed?

Unlike land-based plants, seaweed is a type of algae that grows in the ocean and has long been used as a culinary ingredient. There are three main types of seaweed – brown seaweed, red seaweed, and green seaweed – all of which have slightly different flavors and textures.

When consumed in small amounts, seaweed can be an excellent source of essential minerals and vitamins, such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, and vitamin B12.

You can easily spot the culinary use of seaweed in different dishes such as miso soup, sushi, seaweed salad, and Korean seaweed soup.

Where and How to Buy the Right Type of Seaweed

If this is your first time trying out some seaweed snacks recipes, keep in mind that there are two main types of seaweed available: the one you can almost eat as-is, and the one used to make broth, also known as kelp.

Kelp is brown seaweed and is usually sold in dry strips, mostly used for soups and stews, while other seaweed such as nori seaweed (commonly used to make sushi) is sold in small sheets. You can buy pre-flavored seaweed snacks at the store or online, or you can purchase the seaweed itself and season it yourself.

You can buy seaweed at most supermarkets, health food stores, specialty grocery stores, Asian markets, or online. Just make sure you read the recipes as well as the package description carefully so that you don’t end up with seaweed that’s not suitable for the recipe.

1. Seaweed Salad

This salad is a popular dish in many Asian countries, particularly Japan, Korea, and China, where it is often served as a side dish or appetizer. The seaweed used in the salad may include a variety of different types, such as wakame, hijiki, or nori, which are all rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dried seaweed (wakame, hijiki, or kombu)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the dried seaweed under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Soak the seaweed in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes, or until it softens.
2. Drain the seaweed and squeeze out any excess water.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Add the seaweed, sliced cucumber, and carrot (if using) to the dressing and toss until well coated.
5. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top of the salad and serve chilled.

2. Crispy Seaweed Snack

This seaweed snack takes a simple seaweed sheet and transforms it into a deliciously crispy treat! All you need is seaweed, oil, and your favorite seasonings to make these easy seaweed snacks.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 sheets of dried seaweed (nori)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• Optional: sesame seeds, chili flakes, or other seasonings

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the seaweed sheets into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the oil and sea salt.
4. Brush the seaweed pieces lightly with the oil mixture on both sides.
5. Sprinkle any desired seasonings (such as sesame seeds or chili flakes) on top of the seaweed pieces.
6. Place the seaweed pieces on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each piece.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the seaweed is crispy and lightly golden.
8. Let the seaweed snacks cool for a few minutes before serving.

3. Roasted Wasabi Edamame Snack Mix

For an Asian-inspired snack mix try this roasted wasabi edamame recipe. Perfect for an afternoon snack or party appetizer, this seaweed snacks recipe is full of flavor!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shelled edamame (frozen or fresh)
• 1 cup whole grain rice crackers
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts
• 1 tablespoon wasabi powder
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the wasabi powder, soy sauce, honey, and vegetable oil.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shelled edamame, rice crackers, and roasted peanuts.
4. Pour the wasabi mixture over the snack mix and toss until everything is evenly coated.
5. Spread the mixture out on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Roast the snack mix in the oven for 12-15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the edamame is crispy and the rice crackers are lightly browned.
7. Let the snack mix cool before serving.

4 Sweet & Salty Nori Snacks

For an indulgent yet still healthy snack option, try these sweet and salty seaweed snacks. Made with seaweed sheets, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips, they are sure to be a hit!

Ingredients:

• 2 sheets of nori
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• Optional: toasted sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the nori sheets into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a small bowl, mix together the honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and sea salt.
4. Brush the nori pieces lightly with the honey mixture on both sides.
5. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top of the nori pieces (if desired).
6. Place the nori pieces on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each piece.
7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the nori is crispy and lightly golden.
8. Let the nori snacks cool for a few minutes before serving.

5. Seaweed Soup

This comforting soup is perfect for those chilly nights when you just want something warm and nourishing. So, if you want something cozy to warm up with, this seaweed soup is the perfect choice!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup dried seaweed (kombu or wakame)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional: sliced green onions or cilantro, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until the onion is translucent.
3. Add the dried seaweed to the pan and sauté for a few minutes until it begins to soften.
4. Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the pan and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the seaweed is fully rehydrated and tender.
6. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper to the soup and stir well.
7. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed.
8. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions or cilantro (if desired).

The Editor’s Note

Seaweed snacks are a perfect way to add that salty, umami flavor to your meals. From seaweed soup to roasted edamame snack mix, these seaweed snacks recipes will give you plenty of options for a delicious snack. With a little bit of sesame oil to boost the flavor, seaweed snacks are sure to become a staple in your kitchen!