Air Fryer Rice Reheating: How Long Does It Take?

Reheating rice in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. It takes just 15 minutes to reheat rice in an air fryer, which is much faster than using an oven. To reheat rice in an air fryer, put the rice in a cake bucket and preheat the air fryer to 320°F for 3 minutes. Then, air fry for 10 minutes if the rice is frozen, or 8 minutes if it is not. Spray the rice with cooking spray or drizzle olive oil and stir. Increase the temperature to 360°F and air fry for another 5 minutes. Stir once more and your rice is ready to serve.

Reheating fried rice in an air fryer

Air fryers are a great way to reheat fried rice. It's super easy and fast, and you can even make the rice crispy! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

What you'll need:

• Leftover fried rice (frozen or thawed)
• Cooking spray or olive oil
• An air fryer-safe cooking dish for the rice (a cake bucket or a heat-proof bowl work well)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 320°F/160°C for 3 minutes.
• Place the rice in the air fryer-safe dish and put it in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 10 minutes if frozen, or 8 minutes if thawed.
• Spray the rice with cooking spray or drizzle olive oil over it. Stir the rice to coat the grains with oil.
• Increase the temperature to 360°F/180°C and air fry for another 5 minutes.
• Stir the rice once more, and it's ready to serve!

Tips:

• It's important to note that you should only reheat rice once. So, if you have leftover rice after reheating, it's best to eat it or throw it away.
• To prevent the rice from drying out, you can add a little bit of liquid (water, broth, or oil) to it before reheating.
• If you're adding any extra ingredients like meat or vegetables, make sure to cut them into small pieces so they heat through evenly.
• If you're using glass or ceramic cookware, make sure to let it come to room temperature before placing it in the air fryer.
• You can also use aluminium foil to cover the rice and steam it.

How to avoid drying out the rice

Use the Right Type of Rice

Long-grain white rice, such as basmati or jasmine, is best for air frying. These types of rice are less starchy, so they're less likely to get gummy and stick together.

Rinse the Rice

Rinsing the rice before cooking will help to remove excess starch, which will also prevent clumping. Rinse the rice under cold water for about a minute, or until the water runs clear.

Use Room-Temperature Water

Using hot water to cook the rice can cause the exterior of the rice to cook much faster than the centre, resulting in an uneven texture. The outside of the rice may become mushy, while the inside remains undercooked.

Get the Rice-to-Water Ratio Right

The rice-to-water ratio will depend on whether you've rinsed your rice or not. For rinsed basmati or jasmine rice, use a 1:1.25 rice-to-water ratio. For unrinsed rice, use a 1:1.5 ratio.

Choose the Right Container

Use an oven or air fryer-safe pan or dish that is not too deep, to ensure the rice cooks evenly.

Seal the Container Well

Cover the dish tightly with a compatible lid or aluminium foil to retain moisture and steam, which is crucial for cooking the rice properly.

Cook at the Right Temperature and Time

Cook at a moderate temperature of around 300°F (149°C) for 30 minutes. Then, turn off the air fryer and let the rice sit inside for a further 15 minutes before removing the lid or foil.

Let the Rice Rest

Once the rice is cooked, let it sit for another 15 minutes before fluffing it with a fork. This allows the residual steam to finish cooking the rice, and ensures the grains don't break.

Test and Adjust

The first time you cook rice in an air fryer, you may need to experiment a little to get it just right. Make a note of the exact water ratio, temperature and time that worked best, and adjust as needed in future.

Add a Little Oil

Adding a small amount of neutral-flavoured cooking oil to the rice before air frying can help to prevent it from drying out.

Avoid Adding Sugar

If you're uncomfortable with smoke and char, avoid adding granulated sugar to the rice. Sugar will cause the rice to brown more, but it will also need to be stirred more often to prevent burning, and removed sooner to avoid smoking.

Add Water to Leftover Rice

When reheating leftover rice in an air fryer, add a few drops of water to the rice before cooking to prevent it from drying out.

Best rice for reheating

When it comes to reheating rice, it's important to consider food safety. Rice should be heated thoroughly to prevent bacteria growth, and it's recommended that you only reheat rice once to prevent food poisoning.

Now, onto the best types of rice for reheating. Long-grain rice like Basmati or Jasmin rice is ideal for reheating as it cooks dry and can absorb lots of liquids. Regular short-grain rice, on the other hand, tends to stick together and is more challenging to cook dry. Risotto rice, which should be creamy, is also not the best option for reheating in an air fryer.

So, if you're looking for rice that will reheat well in your air fryer, go for long-grain varieties like Basmati or Jasmin.

• Preheat the air fryer to 320°F for 3 minutes before adding the rice.
• Air fry for 10 minutes if frozen, 8 minutes if thawed.
• Spray the rice with cooking spray or drizzle olive oil, and stir to coat the grains.
• Increase the temperature to 360°F and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
• Stir once more, and your rice should be ready to serve.

How to reheat rice without an air fryer

There are several ways to reheat rice without an air fryer. Here are some common methods:

Using a Stove

Place a saute pan or skillet on the stove on medium heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of a neutral cooking oil, sesame oil, or butter to the pan. Once the pan is hot, add the leftover fried rice to the pan and use a wooden spoon to spread the rice evenly over the surface. Turn the heat up to medium-high. Stir the rice occasionally while on medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes or until the rice is piping hot.

Using a Microwave

Place your rice in a microwave-safe bowl and mix in two tablespoons of your chosen liquid (water, broth, etc.). Cover the bowl loosely to keep the moisture inside the bowl, but also allow for some air to escape. Cook your rice on high for 2 minutes, give it a good stir, and return it to the microwave for another 3-4 minutes. Allow your rice to cool before enjoying.

Using an Oven

Preheat your oven to 425-450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place your leftover fried rice in an oven-safe casserole dish and add a few tablespoons of water or broth. Make sure there is enough liquid to moisten every grain of rice, but not turn it into soup. Cover your casserole dish with its lid and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the lid and give it another 3-5 minutes to allow some of the steam to escape.

Using an Instant Pot

Put a cup of water in the Instant Pot and place a trivet in the pressure cooker. Add your rice to a glass bowl and put it on top of the trivet. Close the lid and secure it. Pressure cook for 3 minutes and then quick release.

General Tips for Reheating Rice:

• It is important to cool rice as quickly as possible and store it in the fridge until you reheat it.
• When reheating rice, make sure it is steaming hot all the way through to kill any bacteria.
• Do not reheat rice more than once.
• When reheating rice, it is a good idea to add a little water to help loosen the dried grains.

How to store cooked rice

Cooked rice should be stored in a cool, dry place, in an airtight container, or a zipped plastic bag, ensuring that all air is removed before sealing. It can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Allow the rice to cool fully before preparing it for storage.
• Place the rice in an airtight container or a zipped plastic bag. Remove all the air from the bag before sealing.
• Put the container or bag in the fridge or freezer.
• If you are storing the rice in the freezer, label and date the container or bag. Rice can be safely frozen for up to one month.

Storing Cooked Rice Safely

Storing cooked rice correctly is crucial for food safety. Without proper storage, cooked rice can enter what is known as the temperature danger zone (40-140 degrees Fahrenheit). This is the range in which harmful bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus, can multiply. Eating rice contaminated with Bacillus cereus can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, and nausea.

Improper storage can also negatively affect the quality of cooked rice, causing it to become mushy or dry, and hard. To avoid this, always allow rice to cool completely before storing it. When cooling rice, place it in a shallow container and loosely cover it in the refrigerator. Do not place warm or hot rice in a closed container in the fridge, as the warm air needs to escape.

Frequently asked questions