Air-Frying Fried Rice: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Twist

Yes, you can cook fried rice in an air fryer! It's a fun, tasty and easy way to cook fried rice, with many recipes to choose from. You can use a variety of ingredients, including leftover rice, frozen vegetables, and meat or plant-based proteins. The air fryer method is also less messy than traditional stir-frying and can save time and effort.

Using cold rice

Using cold, cooked rice is a great way to make fried rice in an air fryer. This method is perfect for using up leftover rice, and it's also a quick and easy way to make a tasty meal. You can use any type of rice, but long-grain varieties like Basmati or Jasmine are best as they have a lower starch content, which helps to prevent the rice from becoming sticky. If you're using brown rice, bear in mind that it will take a little longer to cook.

To prepare your rice, start by rinsing it with warm water to remove any starch. Then, add the rice to a large bowl and cover it with water. Swirl the rice around with your hand until the water becomes cloudy, then pour out the cloudy water and repeat this process until the water runs clear. Once your rice is sufficiently strained, add it to a cake tin or oven-safe dish that fits inside your air fryer. If you're adding vegetables, use frozen or fresh vegetables that have been diced into small pieces. You can also add protein, such as cooked and diced chicken or shrimp, and a splash of oil or butter for flavour and to prevent the rice from sticking together.

When you're ready to cook your fried rice, preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 380 degrees Fahrenheit. While the air fryer is preheating, gently toss your rice mixture to coat the rice evenly with oil. You can also add dry seasonings, such as salt, garlic, onion granules, and ground pepper, and toss again to combine. Once the air fryer is preheated, put the cake tin or oven-safe dish inside and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the rice is warmed through. If you're using egg, cook it separately, as eggs can stick to the rice in the air fryer and change the texture of the dish.

Once the rice is cooked, remove the cake tin or dish from the air fryer and fluff up the rice with a fork or spoon. If you like, you can add a garnish, such as green onions, or a sauce, like soy sauce or oyster sauce. Serve your fried rice immediately, and enjoy!

Adding eggs

If you want to add scrambled eggs to your fried rice, it is best to cook them separately before mixing them with the other ingredients. This is because eggs can stick to the rice and become overcooked and rubbery if they are added at the beginning of the cooking process. You can scramble the eggs on a stovetop or in a microwave, and then mix them in once the fried rice is cooked. This will give your fried rice a more authentic taste and texture.

If you want to add a raw egg to your fried rice, make a well in the centre of the rice to hold the egg, and spoon the egg mixture onto the rice. Be sure to leave the centre of the air fryer open for airflow. Continue frying with the egg for 4 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Stir and fry for another 2 minutes.

You can also add a beaten or whisked egg to your fried rice. First, mix the cooked rice, sesame oil, water, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl until evenly combined. Transfer the mixture to a metal cake pan or an air fryer insert and place it into the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Then, pour the beaten egg over the rice and air-fry until the egg is set, about 4 minutes.

Using coconut aminos

Yes, you can cook fried rice in an air fryer. It is a quick and easy recipe that requires minimal hands-on effort and very few ingredients.

Coconut aminos is a gluten-free, soy sauce alternative with a naturally sweet flavour. It is the key ingredient in this fried rice recipe and can be used in place of soy sauce. It has a sweeter taste than soy sauce and is perfect for those with soy intolerances.

To make coconut aminos fried rice in an air fryer, first, add cold cooked rice to a large bowl. You can use white or brown rice, but it is important that the rice is cold, as warm fresh rice will stick together and clump. Leftover rice that has been stored in the refrigerator is ideal.

Next, add your choice of frozen vegetables to the bowl. You can use any combination of frozen veggies, such as carrots, peas, green beans, corn, broccoli, or beans. If you are not gluten-free, you can also add crispy tofu for a protein-packed dish.

Add your choice of oil to the bowl. Avocado oil or sesame oil are great options. Then, add the coconut aminos to the bowl and mix well.

Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe container and place it into the air fryer. Cook at 380°F (193°C) for 5 minutes, then remove the pan and stir the rice mixture. You can also add a whisked egg at this point if desired.

Drop the temperature to 360°F (182°C) and air fry for another 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the air fryer and stir the rice again to break up any clumps.

Finally, transfer the rice to a serving plate and garnish with green scallions or sesame seeds. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This coconut aminos fried rice recipe is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried rice, perfect for those with dietary restrictions or simply looking for a new flavour to enjoy.

Adding meat and vegetables

Meat-wise, you can add in cooked and leftover chicken, diced cooked pork or beef, shrimp or prawns, or even bacon. If you're vegetarian, try adding tofu or eggs for a protein boost. You can cook the eggs in the air fryer, but you may find that they don't cook evenly. For better results, scramble your eggs in a frying pan first, and then add them to the rice mixture.

Once you've chosen your ingredients, simply throw them into the air fryer with the rice. You can also add in some butter or oil, and a dash of soy sauce or coconut aminos for flavour. Stir the mixture several times during the cooking process to ensure everything cooks evenly.

Stirring the rice

• After preheating the air fryer and adding the initial ingredients (such as cooked rice, oil, and seasonings) to the air fryer-safe pan or bowl, place the container into the air fryer.
• Set the air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 350 to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (175 to 193 degrees Celsius).
• Cook the rice for about 5 minutes initially. Then, using a wooden spoon or a suitable utensil, remove the pan or bowl and stir the rice mixture. This step ensures that the rice doesn't stick together and cooks evenly.
• Return the pan or bowl to the air fryer and continue cooking. Depending on the recipe, you may add additional ingredients at this point, such as coconut aminos, sauces, or eggs.
• Stir the rice again after another 5 minutes or halfway through the cooking process. This second stirring helps incorporate any new ingredients and ensures even cooking.
• For recipes that include eggs, pour beaten eggs over the rice and stir to combine. This step may vary depending on the type of egg preparation used in the recipe.
• Continue cooking the rice for the remaining time, typically a few more minutes. If your recipe includes frozen vegetables, this is usually when you would add them and stir them into the rice.
• Finally, perform a taste test to determine if the fried rice needs additional cooking time to enhance the aroma and flavour. Adjust the cooking time as needed, keeping in mind that the exact timing may vary based on the quantity of rice and the power of your air fryer.

Remember, stirring the rice is crucial to achieving the desired texture and preventing clumping. It mimics the stir-frying process of cooking fried rice on a stovetop, ensuring that all the ingredients are well combined and cooked evenly.

Frequently asked questions