Air-Frying Rice: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook rice in an air fryer. It's a simple, hands-off method that delivers perfect, fluffy rice with minimal clean-up. The dry heat of an air fryer is particularly well-suited to long-grain white rice varieties, such as Basmati or Jasmine rice, as their lower starch content prevents the rice from becoming gummy and sticking together.

To cook rice in an air fryer, first, rinse the rice to remove any dust or debris and excess starch. Then, place the drained rice in an air fryer-safe pan or dish and add water, using a ratio of 1.25:1 water to rice. Cover the dish with aluminium foil or a lid and cook at 300°F (149°C) for 25-35 minutes, depending on how fluffy you like your rice. Once the rice is cooked, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before fluffing it with a fork and serving.

What type of rice works well in an air fryer?

Long-grain white rice varieties, such as Basmati or Jasmine rice, are the most suitable types of rice to cook in 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 an air fryer can cause rice grains to clump together if they are too starchy. Basmati or Jasmine rice will cook evenly throughout without unwanted clumping.

When cooking rice in an air fryer, it is important to first rinse the rice with warm water to remove all the starch. Then, add the rice to a cake tin with boiled water and salt, and cover the dish with aluminium foil. Cook in the air fryer for around 25 minutes at 200°C.

How to cook rice in an air fryer

Cooking rice in an air fryer is an easy and hands-off method that delivers perfectly fluffy rice. It requires very few ingredients and is a breeze to clean up. Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to cooking rice in an air fryer.

What you need:

• Rice: Basmati or Jasmine rice works best due to its lower starch content. However, you can use any type of rice, including brown rice, which may take longer to cook.
• Water: Use filtered water if your tap water has an unpleasant taste.
• Oven-safe bowl or pan: Choose a deep cake pan, porcelain bowl, or Pyrex bowl that fits inside your air fryer basket.
• Aluminium foil: This will act as a lid for the pot, allowing the rice to steam properly.

Method:

• Rinse and drain the rice: Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer or colander and rinse with cool water until the water runs clear (about 1 minute). Shake and lightly press to drain. Do not rinse enriched rice.
• Season and add water: Place the rice and water in your chosen oven-safe bowl or pan. Add a pinch of salt to taste. Use 1.25 cups of water for rinsed rice, and 1.5 cups for un-rinsed rice.
• Cover with foil: Tightly cover the bowl or pan with aluminium foil. Ensure the foil does not touch the heating element in your air fryer.
• Air fry: Set your air fryer to the correct temperature and time. For white rice, air fry at 300°F (149°C) for 30 minutes. For brown rice, a higher temperature of 385°F or 195°C is recommended, and the cooking time will be longer, between 25 and 35 minutes.
• Let it rest: Once the air fryer is turned off, let the rice steam inside for about 15 minutes before removing the foil.
• Fluff and serve: Carefully remove the bowl or pan from the air fryer using oven mitts. Fluff the rice with a fork or a rice paddle and serve.

Tips:

• Rice texture: Experiment with timing and ratios to perfect the rice according to your personal taste. Air fryer rice will have a slightly crispier texture compared to rice cooked in a pot or rice cooker.
• Rinsing rice: Rinsing the rice before cooking helps to remove dust, debris, and excess starch, resulting in grains that are less likely to stick together.
• Water temperature: It is recommended to use room temperature or cool water rather than hot water, as the latter can cause uneven cooking, with the outside of the rice becoming mushy and the inside remaining undercooked.
• Rice-to-water ratio: A 1:1.25 rice-to-water ratio is generally recommended, but slight adjustments may be needed based on your air fryer model.
• Container: Choose a container that is not too deep, allowing for even spreading of the rice and uniform cooking.

Reheating rice in an air fryer:

• Transfer the leftover rice to an air fryer pan or cake pan, cover tightly with aluminium foil, and place it in the air fryer.
• Reheat at 320°F for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount of rice, until it is heated throughout.
• Allow the rice to rest for about 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and serve.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer rice!

How to reheat rice in an air fryer

Yes, you can reheat rice in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare your rice

Before reheating rice, it's important to ensure it has been stored correctly. Rice should be cooled down and placed in an airtight container or a zipped plastic bag, with all the air removed, before being put in the fridge. It can be kept in the fridge for up to two days.

Step 2: Prepare your air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 320 degrees Fahrenheit for three minutes.

Step 3: Place rice in the air fryer

Place your refrigerated or frozen rice in a cake pan. If you're reheating frozen rice, break it into chunks first.

Step 4: Air fry

Air fry your rice for eight minutes if it's refrigerated, or 10 minutes if it's frozen.

Step 5: Stir and add oil

Remove the rice from the air fryer and stir it. You can also coat it with cooking spray or drizzle olive oil over it at this point.

Step 6: Return to the air fryer

Place the rice back in the air fryer, increase the temperature to 360 degrees Fahrenheit, and heat for another five minutes.

Step 7: Enjoy!

Remove your rice from the air fryer, give it a final stir, and it's ready to eat!

It's important to note that you should only reheat rice once. To ensure bacteria are killed, rice should be reheated until it is steaming hot all the way through.

What to serve with air fryer rice

So, you've cooked some rice in your air fryer and are wondering what to serve with it? Well, you're in luck! There are plenty of options to choose from.

First of all, it's worth noting that almost all dishes on the I Heart Umami blog pair well with a side of fluffy steamed rice. But, if you're looking for something more specific, here are some ideas:

• Meat dishes: Air fryer teriyaki chicken, air fryer teriyaki salmon, Panda Express orange chicken, or Chinese pepper steak.
• Vegetarian dishes: Air fryer bok choy, vegetarian rice paper dumplings, or garlicky salt and pepper tofu in the air fryer.
• Other toppings: Keep it simple with protein like cooked chicken, pork, or beef, and veggies of your choice (such as broccoli, carrots, corn, or green onions).

If you're in the mood for something a little more indulgent, why not try making fried rice in your air fryer? Simply add some shredded chicken, diced cooked pork or beef, shrimp, and a variety of vegetables. This dish is sure to be a satisfying and flavorful meal.

And there you have it! Plenty of options to choose from to accompany your air-fried rice. Happy eating!

How to store leftover rice

Storing leftover rice is simple, but there are a few important steps to follow to ensure it remains safe to eat. Firstly, it is crucial that cooked rice is cooled as quickly as possible and then stored in the fridge or freezer as soon as it has cooled down. This is because cooked rice can enter the temperature danger zone (40 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit), where harmful bacteria multiply rapidly. One of these bacteria is Bacillus cereus, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea if consumed.

Once your rice has cooled, store it in a sealed, food-grade container in the fridge. This will prevent cross-contamination from other foods and reduce moisture loss. You can also freeze leftover rice, which will last for up to six months. However, freezing may negatively affect the texture of the rice, so it is best to use frozen rice in dishes where texture is less important, such as casseroles or soups.

When stored correctly, leftover rice will last for three to four days in the fridge and up to six months in the freezer.

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