Air-Frying White Rice: Is It Possible?

Air fryers are a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for more than just frying food. One common question people have is whether you can cook white rice in an air fryer. The answer is yes, it is possible to make white rice in an air fryer, and it is a simple and hands-off method that delivers perfectly fluffy rice. However, some people prefer the texture of rice cooked in a pot or rice cooker, as air fryer rice can be slightly more crisp or al dente.

How to make white rice in an air fryer

Making white rice in an air fryer is a simple, hands-off method that delivers perfectly fluffy rice. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the best results:

Ingredients and Equipment:

• White rice (long-grain varieties such as Basmati or Jasmine are recommended)
• Water (filtered water is preferable)
• Coarse sea salt (optional)
• Olive oil or butter (optional)
• An oven-safe bowl or pan, such as a deep cake pan, that fits in your air fryer basket
• Aluminium foil

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Rinse the rice: Place the rice in a fine-mesh strainer or colander and rinse it under cool running water for about 1 minute, or until the water runs clear. This helps to remove any dust or debris, as well as excess starch, resulting in rice grains that are less likely to stick together. Shake and lightly press the rice to drain the water. If you are using enriched rice, you can skip this step.
• Prepare the rice for cooking: Add the rice and water to your chosen oven-safe bowl or pan. The recommended water-to-rice ratio is 1:1.25 for rinsed rice and 1:1.5 for un-rinsed rice. If you prefer mushier rice, you can add up to 2 cups of water. Season with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired. Stir the contents to combine.
• Cover and cook: Cover the bowl or pan tightly with aluminium foil. This will act as a lid and help retain moisture during cooking. Place the covered container in your air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 385°F (195°C) and cook for 25 to 35 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the amount of rice and water used.
• Fluff and serve: Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the bowl or pan from the air fryer basket using oven mitts. Remove the foil, allowing the steam to escape. Fluff the rice gently with a fork or a rice paddle and serve. If there is still a little water at the bottom or if the rice is slightly mushy, you can cover it again and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Air-Fried Rice:

• Rice texture: Air-fried white rice may have a slightly crispier or "al dente" texture compared to rice cooked in a pot or rice cooker. You may need to experiment with timing and ratios to perfect the cooking according to your personal taste.
• Rice-to-water ratio: The recommended rice-to-water ratio is 1:1.25 for rinsed rice and 1:1.5 for un-rinsed rice. However, slight adjustments may be needed based on your specific air fryer model.
• Type of rice: Long-grain white rice varieties, such as Basmati or Jasmine, are best suited for air frying due to their lower starch content. This helps prevent the rice grains from sticking together and ensures even cooking.
• Cooking with water temperature: It is recommended to use room temperature or cool water for cooking the rice. Using hot water can result in unevenly cooked rice, with a mushy exterior and an undercooked centre.
• Storing and reheating: Cooked rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat refrigerated rice in an air fryer, place it in an oven-safe container, cover with foil, and heat at 320°F for 5 minutes, or until heated through.

What type of rice is best for an air fryer?

Long-grain white rice varieties, such as Basmati or Jasmine rice, are the most suitable for cooking 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 and Jasmine rice will cook more evenly, without unwanted clumping.

When cooking long-grain white rice in an air fryer, it is recommended to rinse the rice first to remove any dust or debris and to reduce the starch content further. You should then add water (a ratio of 1:1.25 rice to water is recommended but may need slight adjustments depending on your air fryer model), salt, and olive oil to the rice, and cook at around 300°F or 149°C for 30 minutes.

After cooking, it is important to let the rice rest for around 15 minutes before fluffing it with a fork or rice paddle to separate the grains and give them a light texture.

How to make fried rice in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Rice (white or brown)
• Water
• Salt
• Olive oil
• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Sesame oil
• Butter
• Eggs
• Vegetables (fresh garlic, onion, frozen mixed vegetables)

Utensils:

• Air fryer
• Oven-safe bowl or pan (e.g. a deep cake pan, Pyrex bowl, or porcelain bowl)
• Aluminium foil

Method:

• Rinse the rice a few times to clean it and remove excess starch. If you are using "enriched" rice, skip this step.
• Place the uncooked rice and water in your oven-safe bowl or pan.
• Cover the top of the bowl or pan with aluminium foil. This will act as the lid.
• Set the air fryer to 385°F or 195°C on the air fryer mode.
• Cooking time will vary depending on the amount of rice and water, but it usually takes somewhere between 25 and 35 minutes.
• If you like your rice on the softer side, use 2 cups of water. For less mushy rice, use less water (around 1 3/4 cups).
• Once the rice is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and fluff it up with a spoon, fork, or rice paddle.
• If there is still water left at the bottom or if the rice is mushy, cover and cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
• For fried rice, add melted butter, cooked eggs, vegetables, onion, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil to the cooked rice.
• Mix well and cook in the air fryer for another 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
• Serve immediately.

Tips:

• For best results, use long-grain white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, as it has a lower starch content and is less likely to stick together.
• Rinsing the rice before cooking helps to remove dust, debris, and excess starch.
• Always use room temperature water instead of hot water to avoid unevenly cooked rice.
• The ideal rice-to-water ratio is 1:1.25, but you may need to adjust this slightly depending on your air fryer model.
• Use an oven-safe pan or dish that allows for even spreading of the rice, and ensure it is not too deep for uniform cooking.
• Cover the dish tightly with aluminium foil or a compatible lid to retain moisture and steam, which is crucial for cooking rice.
• The recommended cooking temperature is around 300°F or 149°C.
• After cooking, let the rice rest for 15 minutes before fluffing to allow residual steam to finish the cooking process and ensure the grains don't break.

Storage:

Cooked rice will last 4 to 6 days in the fridge in an airtight container. To store it longer, transfer it to the freezer.

How to reheat rice in an air fryer

If you have leftover rice and want to reheat it in your air fryer, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Rice

Place the refrigerated rice directly into a cake pan or oven-friendly bakeware. Cover it with foil. If you prefer softer rice, sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice before air frying.

Step 2: Air Fry

Set your air fryer to 320°F and heat the rice for 5 minutes. Check and stir the rice, adding time as needed until it is heated throughout. For frozen rice, break it into chunks and air fry for 10 minutes or until heated through, stirring as needed.

Step 3: Serve

Once the rice is heated through, it is ready to serve. You can add a little soy sauce to the rice, or butter and salt and pepper to taste.

Tips

• It is important to note that refrigerated rice should not be left at room temperature as the spores can grow into harmful bacteria.
• Make sure to use an oven-safe or air fryer-safe pan or dish that is not too deep to ensure uniform cooking.
• To cook raw rice in an air fryer, it is recommended to use long-grain white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, as it has a lower starch content and cooks more evenly.

How to store leftover rice

It is important to cool rice quickly and store it in the fridge if you're not going to eat it straight away. Here are some tips on how to store leftover rice:

• Make-ahead: Cook the rice the night before. It will need 30 minutes to cook and 15 minutes to rest (in the air fryer), and 20-30 minutes to cool to room temperature.
• Storage: Once cooled to room temperature, store the leftover rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
• Freeze: You can also freeze rice for longer-term storage. Let the rice cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Press out excess air to prevent freezer burn and store for up to six months.
• Reheat: When reheating rice, add a small amount of water to prevent it from drying out. You can reheat rice in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in an air fryer.

Tips for Storing Rice:

• Use a shallow container: Store rice in a shallow container, covered tightly, in the refrigerator.
• Cool rice quickly: Spread the rice onto a plate or into shallow pans so it cools quickly.
• Don't store warm/hot rice: Don't place warm or hot rice in a closed container in the fridge. The warm air needs to escape, so loosely cover the container and let it cool in the fridge.
• Use an airtight container: A tightly sealed container will prevent cross-contamination and reduce moisture loss.
• Don't leave rice at room temperature: Rice should never be left at room temperature for longer than two hours. Start the cooling process as soon as possible and refrigerate it to slow down the growth of harmful bacteria.
• Don't reheat rice multiple times: Only reheat as much rice as you need. It's not recommended to reheat rice more than once, as the flavour and moisture will decline, and it will spend more time in the temperature danger zone.

Reheating Rice:

• Microwave: Place the rice in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through, stirring halfway.
• Stovetop: Place the rice in a saucepan and add 2 tablespoons of water or broth per 2 cups of rice. Cover with a lid and heat over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is properly heated through.
• Air fryer: Transfer the refrigerated rice to a cake pan or oven-friendly bakeware, cover with foil, and add a few drops of water for a softer texture. Air fry at 320F for 5 minutes, stirring as needed.

Frequently asked questions