Cotton Candy Sushi Recipe : A Whimsical, Sweet Dessert That Looks Like Sushi But Tastes Like Candy

 Cotton candy sushi is a creative, playful dessert that transforms sweet treats into adorable sushi-shaped confections that look remarkably like the real thing. These fun, no-bake treats use rice cereal treats as the "rice," fruit roll-ups or candy as the "nori" wrapper, and various candies, marshmallows, or dried fruit as the "filling." The result is a delightful optical illusion that's perfect for parties, kids' activities, or anyone who loves whimsical food. Whether you're hosting a themed party, looking for a fun activity to do with children, or simply want to create something Instagram-worthy, cotton candy sushi delivers on creativity, fun, and of course, sweetness. They're easy enough for kids to make but impressive enough to wow guests at any gathering.

Serving Quantity: Makes 12 to 16 pieces (serves 4 to 6 people)

Cooking Time: 30 minutes (no baking, just assembly and chilling time)

1. Ingredients for Rice Cereal "Rice"

1. Three cups crispy rice cereal (Rice Krispies)
2. Three tablespoons unsalted butter
3. Three cups mini marshmallows
4. Pink or blue food coloring (gel works best)
5. Optional: one teaspoon vanilla extract

2. Ingredients for "Nori" Wrapper

1. Four to six fruit roll-ups (green apple or sour apple for authentic color)
2. Alternatively: green fruit leather or green Airheads candy

3. Ingredients for Fillings

1. Gummy worms (for "unagi eel")
2. Sour gummy strips in various colors (for "fish")
3. Swedish Fish candies
4. Peach rings or gummy rings
5. Licorice strips (red or black)
6. Dried mango strips
7. Marshmallows (mini or cut regular)
8. Optional: candy belts, Twizzlers, or any colorful chewy candy

4. Ingredients for Toppings and Presentation

1. Black sesame seeds or poppy seeds (or chocolate sprinkles)
2. White chocolate melted (for "wasabi")
3. Green frosting or green candy melts (for "wasabi")
4. Pink frosting or pink candy (for "pickled ginger")
5. Soy sauce dish filled with chocolate sauce (for dipping)

5. Prepare Your Workspace

Clear a large, clean workspace and line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents the sticky rice cereal mixture from adhering to your counter. Have all your ingredients measured and ready to go. Prepare a 9 by 13 inch pan by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it well. Have a sheet of plastic wrap ready for rolling. Work quickly once the marshmallow mixture is ready as it sets fast. Organization is key to success with this recipe.

6. Make the Rice Cereal Mixture

In a large pot over low heat, melt the butter completely. Add the mini marshmallows and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth. This takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Add a few drops of pink or blue food coloring if you want colored "rice" for a fun twist. Traditional white works too, but colors make them more whimsical. Add vanilla extract if using for extra flavor. Remove from heat immediately to prevent the mixture from becoming too hard.

7. Mix in the Cereal

Working quickly, add the crispy rice cereal to the melted marshmallow mixture. Use a rubber spatula sprayed with cooking spray to fold and stir until every piece of cereal is coated with the marshmallow. The mixture will be very sticky. Transfer the coated cereal to your prepared pan. Spray your hands or the spatula with cooking spray and press the mixture evenly into the pan. It should be about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch thick. Let it cool for about 10 minutes until firm but still pliable.

8. Cut into Rectangles

Once the rice cereal treat is cool enough to handle but still slightly warm and flexible, use a sharp knife sprayed with cooking spray to cut it into rectangles approximately 1.5 by 4 inches. These will be your sushi "rice" logs. You should get 12 to 16 rectangles depending on how you cut them. If the treats are too sticky to cut cleanly, let them cool a bit more. If they're too firm and cracking, warm them slightly in the microwave for 5 seconds.

9. Prepare the Fruit Roll-Ups

Unwrap the fruit roll-ups and lay them flat on your work surface. If they came on plastic backing, leave them on the plastic for now as it makes handling easier. If your fruit roll-ups are too wide, trim them to about 2 inches wide using scissors or a pizza cutter. They need to wrap around the rice cereal rectangle like nori wraps around sushi. Green fruit roll-ups look most authentic, but any color works for a fun, whimsical version.

10. Add the Filling

Place one rice cereal rectangle on the edge of a fruit roll-up strip. Before wrapping, add your chosen filling. Press a gummy worm, Swedish Fish, sour strip, or other candy lengthwise along the top of the rice cereal rectangle. You can use one type of candy or combine several for a multi-filling roll. The candy should stick up slightly above the rice cereal so it's visible when you cut the roll. This is your "fish" or filling that makes it look like sushi.

11. Roll the Sushi

Starting from the edge with the rice cereal, carefully roll the fruit roll-up around the rice cereal and filling, just like rolling sushi. The fruit roll-up should wrap around the outside, covering most of the rice cereal with the filling peeking out at the top. Press gently to seal. The stickiness of the fruit roll-up helps it adhere to itself. If it's not sticking, slightly wet the end with water. The roll should hold together firmly with the "nori" completely encasing the "rice."

12. Chill to Set

Place the completed rolls seam-side down on a parchment-lined tray. Repeat with remaining rice cereal rectangles and fillings, creating different varieties with different candies. Once all rolls are made, refrigerate them for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This chilling firms up the marshmallow mixture and helps the fruit roll-ups set, making them much easier to slice without squishing. Don't skip this step or your sushi will fall apart when you cut it.

13. Slice into Pieces

Remove the chilled rolls from the refrigerator. Using a sharp knife sprayed with cooking spray, slice each roll into 3 to 4 pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for the neatest results. Each piece should look like a sushi roll cross-section with the rice cereal visible, the fruit roll-up "nori" around the outside, and the candy filling in the center. Arrange them cut-side up on a serving platter so the design is visible.

14. Add Finishing Touches

Sprinkle black sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top of some pieces for that authentic sushi appearance. You can also use chocolate sprinkles if you can't find black seeds. Make "wasabi" by tinting white chocolate or frosting green and piping small dollops onto the plate beside the sushi. Make pink "pickled ginger" using pink frosting or cutting thin slices of pink candy. These garnishes aren't meant to be eaten together but add to the illusion.

15. Create a Presentation

Arrange the cotton candy sushi pieces on a rectangular plate or sushi board for authentic presentation. Group similar varieties together. Add your "wasabi" and "ginger" to the plate. Provide small dishes filled with chocolate sauce to mimic soy sauce for dipping. Use chopsticks as props or for actually eating the treats. The presentation is half the fun, making it look as close to real sushi as possible. Take photos before everyone devours them.

16. Serving Suggestions

Serve cotton candy sushi at kids' parties, sleepovers, or as a fun dessert at themed events. They're perfect for baby showers, birthday parties, or anytime you want a conversation starter. Set up a DIY station where guests can make their own with various candy options. Serve them in bento boxes for an extra authentic touch. They work wonderfully for April Fools' Day or as a playful dessert after serving actual sushi for dinner.

17. Make-Ahead and Storage

You can make cotton candy sushi up to 2 days ahead. Store the finished pieces in an airtight container at room temperature with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Don't refrigerate once assembled as the fruit roll-ups can become sticky and the rice cereal can get hard. The marshmallow rice cereal mixture and fruit roll-ups can be prepared separately and stored for up to a week, then assembled fresh when needed. This makes them perfect for party prep.

18. Variations to Try

Get creative with different fillings and colors. Use different colored fruit roll-ups for rainbow sushi. Fill with different candies like Starburst, Skittles, or jelly beans. Make tropical versions with dried mango and pineapple. Create chocolate versions using chocolate rice cereal and chocolate fruit leather. Add Pop Rocks for a surprising fizzy center. Use cotton candy itself as a fluffy filling for meta cotton candy sushi. The possibilities are endless and limited only by your candy aisle imagination.

19. Make It an Activity

Turn cotton candy sushi making into a party activity. Set up stations with bowls of different fillings, pre-made rice cereal rectangles, fruit roll-ups, and all the toppings. Let kids or guests create their own custom sushi rolls. Provide instructions and demonstrations. Have a contest for the most creative or authentic-looking piece. This interactive element makes the treats even more memorable and fun. Everyone loves playing with their food when it's this cute.

20. Nutrition Information Per Piece

1. Calories: 145
2. Total fat: 3 grams
3. Saturated fat: 2 grams
4. Cholesterol: 5 milligrams
5. Sodium: 85 milligrams
6. Total carbohydrates: 30 grams
7. Dietary fiber: 0 grams
8. Sugars: 22 grams
9. Protein: 1 gram

21. Helpful Tips for Perfect Cotton Candy Sushi

1. Work quickly once the marshmallow mixture is ready as it sets fast and becomes hard to work with.
2. Spray everything with cooking spray—your hands, spatula, and knife—to prevent sticking.
3. Don't overheat the marshmallow mixture or it will become too hard and difficult to work with.
4. Chill the assembled rolls before slicing for the cleanest cuts without squishing.
5. Use green fruit roll-ups for the most authentic sushi appearance, but any color works for fun variations.
6. Cut the rice cereal treats while still slightly warm for easier slicing without cracking.
7. Choose chewy, pliable candies for fillings rather than hard ones that would be difficult to bite through.
8. Make the rolls uniform in size so they look more professional and authentic.
9. Take photos immediately after assembling as the colors and presentation are most vibrant when fresh.
10. Store in airtight containers at room temperature to prevent the treats from becoming hard or sticky.