Air Frying Rice: Is It Possible?

Yes, you can cook rice in an air fryer! It's a simple, hands-off method that requires minimal ingredients and is easy to clean up. The dry heat of an air fryer is best suited to long-grain white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, as it has a lower starch content and won't stick together. To cook rice in an air fryer, you'll need an oven-safe container that fits inside, like a cake pan, and aluminium foil to cover it. First, rinse the rice to remove excess starch, then add water and a pinch of salt. Cook at around 300–350°F for 25–35 minutes. For perfect, fluffy rice, let it rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.

What type of rice is best for an air fryer?

Air-frying is a hands-free and foolproof method for cooking rice. It's easy, requires very few ingredients, and is a breeze to clean up.

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.

Long-grain rice is also best for reheating in an air fryer, as short-grain can be a bit tricky when dry.

How to Cook Rice in an Air Fryer

First, rinse the rice under cold water for about a minute, or until the water runs clear. This will help to remove excess starch so that the rice grains are less likely to stick together.

Next, add the rice, water, salt, and olive oil to a cake pan. Use 1.25 cups of water if the rice is rinsed, or 1.5 cups if it isn't. Tightly cover the pan with foil.

Then, air fry at 300 °F (149 °C) for 30 minutes. Turn the unit off and let the rice steam inside for 15 minutes before removing the foil.

Finally, carefully remove the pan with oven mitts and fluff the rice with a fork or a rice paddle before serving.

Tips

• It is not recommended to use hot water to cook the rice, as the outside will cook much faster than the centre, resulting in an unevenly cooked texture.
• 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.
• Make sure to use an oven or air fryer-safe pan or dish that allows for even spreading of the rice.
• Cover the dish tightly to retain moisture and steam inside, which is crucial for cooking rice.
• Cook at a moderate temperature (around 300°F or 149°C). Start with 30 minutes and check for doneness, extending time as needed.
• Once done, let the rice sit for 15 minutes before fluffing. This allows residual steam to finish the cooking process and ensures grains don’t break.
• Use a fork or rice paddle to fluff the rice gently. This separates the grains and gives them a light texture.
• The first time you cook rice in an air fryer, make note of the exact water ratio, temperature, and time that worked best, and adjust accordingly in the future.

Other Types of Rice in the Air Fryer

While long-grain white rice is best, you can also cook brown rice in an air fryer, but the cooking time will be different since it takes longer to cook.

You can also cook fried rice in an air fryer, but this requires cooked rice, rather than uncooked.

How to prepare rice for the air fryer

Ingredients and Equipment

To cook rice in an air fryer, you will need:

• Rice – preferably long-grain white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine. Brown rice or short-grain rice will also work but may require a longer cooking time.
• Water – use filtered water if your tap water doesn't taste good.
• Coarse sea salt
• Olive oil or butter
• An oven-safe bowl or pan that fits in the air fryer basket, e.g. a deep cake pan, a Pyrex bowl, or a porcelain bowl.
• Aluminium foil – this will act as the "lid" for the pot.

Preparing the Rice

• Rinse the rice several times in cool water until the water runs clear (about 1 minute). This will help remove dust, debris, and excess starch. If you are using enriched rice, skip this step.
• Place the rinsed rice in your chosen oven-safe bowl or pan.
• Add water to the rice. The water-to-rice ratio will depend on the type of rice you are using and how firm or mushy you like your rice. As a general rule, use a 1:1.25 rice-to-water ratio for rinsed rice, and a 1:1.5 ratio for un-rinsed rice. Adjust the ratio slightly based on your air fryer model.
• Add a pinch of salt and a dash of olive oil or butter to the rice and water.
• Stir the mixture.

Cooking the Rice

• Tightly cover the bowl or pan with aluminium foil. Ensure that the foil does not touch the heating element in your air fryer.
• Preheat your air fryer to between 149°C and 195°C.
• Place the covered bowl in the air fryer basket and cook for 25-35 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the amount of rice and water you are using, and your desired level of doneness.
• After cooking, remove the bowl from the air fryer using oven mitts, as it will be very hot.
• Carefully remove the foil, allowing the steam to escape.
• Fluff the rice with a fork or a rice paddle and serve.

Tips

• If your rice is still a little wet or mushy, cover it again and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
• Leftover rice can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
• To reheat rice in the air fryer, place it in an oven-safe bowl, cover with foil, and heat at 320°F for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

What temperature and time should rice be cooked at in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook rice in an air fryer! It's a simple, hands-off method that produces perfect, fluffy rice.

Temperature and Time

Air fry your rice at around 300 °F (149 °C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Then, turn off the air fryer and let the rice steam inside for an additional 15 minutes. The whole process should take around 45 minutes.

Rice-to-Water Ratio

The ratio of rice to water is important. A ratio of 1:1.25 is generally recommended, but you may need to adjust this slightly depending on your air fryer model. For example, one source recommends 1 cup of rice to 1.25 cups of water for rinsed rice, and 1 cup of rice to 1.5 cups of water for unrinsed rice.

Other Tips

• Use long-grain white rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, as it has a lower starch content and is less likely to stick together.
• Rinse the rice before cooking to remove any dust or debris, and to reduce the starch content further.
• Use room temperature water, as hot water can cause the rice to cook unevenly, with a mushy exterior and undercooked interior.
• Cover the rice tightly with aluminium foil while it cooks.
• After cooking, let the rice rest for 15 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. This allows the residual steam to finish the cooking process and ensures the grains don't break.
• The first time you cook rice in an air fryer, make a note of the water ratio, temperature and time, and adjust as needed for your specific appliance.

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 the Rice

Before reheating the rice, it is important to ensure that it has been cooled and stored properly. Leftover rice should be allowed to reach room temperature and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the quality of the rice and also prevents the growth of harmful bacteria.

Step 2: Choose the Right Container

Select an oven-safe or air fryer-safe dish or pan that is the right size for the amount of rice you want to reheat. A cake pan or oven-friendly bakeware is a good option. Make sure the container is not too deep, as this can affect the cooking process and prevent uniform heating.

Step 3: Add Water (Optional)

If you prefer your rice to have a softer texture, you can sprinkle a few drops of water over it before placing it in the air fryer. This is especially useful if you are reheating rice that has been frozen, as it can help prevent it from drying out.

Step 4: Cover with Aluminium Foil

Cover the container with a sheet of aluminium foil. This step is important as it helps retain moisture and creates a steaming effect, ensuring that the rice is heated evenly. It also prevents any mess in the air fryer.

Step 5: Heat the Rice

Place the covered container in the air fryer and set the temperature to 320°F (160°C). Heat the rice for about 5 minutes for refrigerated rice, and 10 minutes for frozen rice. Check the rice and stir it to ensure even heating. If it is not heated through, return it to the air fryer for a few more minutes.

Step 6: Let it Rest and Fluff

Once the rice is heated, remove it from the air fryer and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This allows the rice to cool slightly and ensures that it is not too dry. Finally, use a fork or a rice paddle to gently fluff the rice, separating the grains and giving it a light, airy texture.

Tips for Perfect Reheated Rice:

• Always use pre-cooked rice: Air fryers are not suitable for cooking raw rice, as it requires boiling water, which cannot be used directly in an air fryer.
• Choose the right type of rice: Long-grain rice, such as Basmati or Jasmine, works best for reheating in an air fryer due to its lower starch content.
• Avoid over-crowding the air fryer: Leave some space around the container in the air fryer to allow for proper air circulation and even heating.
• Adjust timing as needed: Depending on the amount of rice and the power of your air fryer, you may need to adjust the heating time. Always keep an eye on the rice to prevent overcooking or burning.

By following these steps and tips, you can easily reheat rice in an air fryer, ensuring it is hot, fluffy, and ready to be enjoyed!

What to serve with air fryer rice

Air fryer rice is a simple, hands-off kitchen staple that ties any meal together. It is a versatile side dish that can be served with almost anything. Here are some ideas for what to serve with air fryer rice:

Meat Dishes

• Air fryer teriyaki chicken
• Air fryer teriyaki salmon
• Air fryer orange chicken
• Air fryer chicken leg quarters
• Air fryer sweet and sour chicken
• Air fryer pork belly
• Air fryer shrimp

Vegetarian Dishes

• Air fryer bok choy
• Air fryer vegetarian rice paper dumplings
• Air fryer garlicky salt and pepper tofu

Other Topping Ideas

Keep it simple with cooked chicken, pork, or beef, and your veggies of choice, such as broccoli, carrots, corn, or green onions.

Frequently asked questions