Air Fryer Rice: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook rice in an air fryer. It's a quick, easy, and versatile way to cook rice, requiring less attention than hob, stove-cooked, or rice cooker methods. The dry heat of an air fryer can cause rice grains to clump together, so long-grain rice such as Basmati or Jasmine is best as they are less starchy. The texture of rice cooked in an air fryer will be slightly more crisp or al dente, and the cooking time will depend on the type of rice and your air fryer.

Rinsing the rice

To rinse the rice, place the uncooked rice in a colander and rinse it several times with warm water until the water runs clear. It may never become completely clear, which is fine, as long as the rice is thoroughly rinsed. This process will ensure that you achieve a light and fluffy texture when the rice is cooked. If you are using \"enriched\" rice, you do not need to pre-rinse it.

After rinsing, the rice is then ready to be placed in an oven-safe bowl, pot, or cake pan, along with the required amount of water, and covered with aluminum foil before placing it in the air fryer.

Rice-to-water ratio

Yes, you can cook rice in an air fryer! It is a hands-free and foolproof method for cooking rice. The best type of rice to cook in an air fryer is long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine rice. This is because they are less starchy and the rice grains are cooked more evenly.

Now, for the rice-to-water ratio. A 1:1.25 rice-to-water ratio is generally recommended, but you might need to make slight adjustments based on your air fryer model. If you like your rice a little on the mushier side, use a full 2 cups of water for 1 cup of rice. If you don't like mushy rice, it is recommended to use less water, around 1 3/4 cups of water for 1 cup of rice.

It is also important to rinse the rice several times before cooking to remove excess starch. This will ensure that your rice is light and fluffy, rather than clumpy and gummy.

Rice type

While you can cook any type of rice in an air fryer, long-grain rice is the best option. This is because short-grain rice is a bit tricky when dry and is better suited for steaming in a rice cooker or steamer.

Long-grain white rice varieties, such as Basmati or Jasmine rice, are the most suitable choices when using an air fryer. This is because they have a lower starch content compared to other types of rice, which keeps the rice from getting gummy and sticking together. The dry heat environment of the air fryer can easily cause rice grains to clump together if they are too starchy, but Basmati and Jasmine rice will cook evenly throughout without unwanted clumping.

Brown rice can also be cooked in an air fryer, but it typically takes longer to cook than white rice.

Rice texture

The texture of rice cooked in an air fryer will differ from that of rice cooked in a pot or rice cooker. Air fryer rice will be slightly more crisp or "al dente". To achieve the perfect texture, it is important to experiment with timing and ratios.

Firstly, it is important to rinse the rice several times to remove excess starch. This step is crucial in achieving fluffy rice, as skipping it can result in clumpy rice with a gummy texture. The rice should be rinsed until the water runs mostly clear, although it may never be completely clear.

Long-grain white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, is best suited for an air fryer because it is less starchy. These varieties maintain individual grain separation, preventing clumping and ensuring even cooking. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid sticky rice, which is made from short-grain rice, as it is much better suited for steaming.

The cooking time for rice in an air fryer can vary depending on the type of rice, the amount of rice, and the water ratio. Generally, it takes between 25 and 35 minutes, with a water ratio of around 1.25:1 (water to rice). If you prefer mushier rice, you can use up to 2 cups of water, whereas if you don't like mushy rice, it is recommended to use less water, around 1 3/4 cups.

After cooking, it is important to let the rice rest and fluff it up with a fork or spoon. This will ensure that the rice grains separate and that the rice is not too wet or mushy. If the rice is still not cooked to your desired texture, you can always cook it for a few more minutes.

Reheating rice

Yes, you can cook rice in an air fryer. Long-grain white rice varieties, such as Basmati or Jasmine, tend to work best when cooking with an air fryer because they are less starchy and, therefore, less likely to get stuck together.

To reheat rice in an air fryer, place the refrigerated rice directly into a cake pan. It is important to ensure that the rice is not completely cold and chalky when placed in the air fryer. To prevent this, add a few droplets of water to the rice before placing it in the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes. Then, place the rice in the air fryer for 8 minutes if refrigerated, or 10 minutes if frozen. After this, remove the rice from the air fryer, coat it with cooking spray or drizzle olive oil over it, and stir. Return the rice to the air fryer, increase the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, and heat for another 5 minutes. Finally, remove the rice from the air fryer and stir it before serving.

It is important to note that the rice should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days before reheating. Additionally, any glass or Pyrex cookware used in the air fryer should be at room temperature before cooking to prevent thermal shock.

Frequently asked questions