Steaming Eggs: A Rice Cooker's Surprising Superpower

Cooking eggs in a rice steamer is a great alternative to boiling them in a pot, and they turn out perfectly soft or hard-cooked. This method also makes the eggs easier to peel. To cook eggs in a rice steamer, add water to the rice pot and place the eggs in the steamer tray. Set the rice cooker to 'cook' and start the timer. The amount of time you set will depend on how well you want your eggs cooked. For soft-cooked eggs, set the timer for 13-15 minutes, and for hard-cooked eggs, set the timer for 20 minutes. Once the timer rings, transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.

How to cook hard-boiled eggs in a rice steamer

Ingredients:

• Chicken eggs
• Water
• Ice

Utensils:

• Rice cooker
• Steamer tray/basket
• Bowl
• Timer
• Tongs

Method:

Firstly, add water to your rice cooker. You'll need approximately 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water. If you don't have a steamer tray, you can place the eggs directly in the water. However, using a steamer tray is preferable as it prevents the eggs from cracking and the water from evaporating.

Next, place the desired amount of eggs into the steamer tray. Make sure they are standing upright so that the yolks settle in the middle, which is ideal if you're planning to make devilled eggs. Then, lower the steamer tray into the rice cooker and close the lid.

Turn the rice cooker to the 'Cook' setting. Do not use the 'Steam' function. Set a timer for 20 minutes for hard-boiled eggs. Do not lift the lid during the cooking process, as this will cause the steam to escape.

Once the time has elapsed, turn off the rice cooker and use tongs to transfer the eggs immediately to a bowl of iced water. This will stop the eggs from continuing to cook. Allow the eggs to sit in the ice bath for a couple of minutes before peeling and serving, or store them in the refrigerator for later.

How to cook soft-boiled eggs in a rice steamer

Ingredients:

• Chicken eggs
• Water
• Ice

Method:

Add about a cup of water to your rice cooker. If you have a steamer tray, place it inside the rice cooker. If not, don't worry—you can cook the eggs without it.

Next, place your desired number of eggs into the steamer tray or directly into the water. Make sure they are standing upright so that the yolks balance out. Then, close the lid of the cooker.

Turn the rice cooker to the 'Cook' setting and set a timer. The cooking time will depend on how soft you like your eggs. For soft-boiled eggs, set the timer for 8-15 minutes.

Once the time has elapsed, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking process. Allow the eggs to sit in the ice bath for a couple of minutes, then they're ready to eat!

How to cook medium-boiled eggs in a rice steamer

Ingredients

• Chicken eggs (at room temperature)
• Water
• Ice

Utensils

• Rice cooker
• Steamer tray/basket
• Bowl
• Slotted spoon
• Tongs

Method

Add about a cup of water to your rice cooker. Place the steamer tray/basket inside the rice cooker. Carefully place the desired number of eggs into the steamer tray/basket, ensuring they stand upright. Close the lid of the rice cooker.

Turn the rice cooker on and set a timer. For medium-boiled eggs, set the timer for 11 minutes. If you are using a digital rice cooker, select the Steam function. If you are using a classic rice cooker, press the cook switch.

Once the time has elapsed, turn off the rice cooker and use tongs to transfer the eggs to an ice bath. Allow the eggs to sit in the ice bath for 2-3 minutes before peeling and serving. Enjoy!

How to cook poached eggs in a rice steamer

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Butter
• Ramekins
• Water
• Ice

Method

If you need to poach an egg but only have a rice cooker, this "poaching" method works just fine:

Firstly, put 1/2 cup of water in the rice cooker pot and place the flat steam tray in the pot. Next, butter a few small ramekins and crack an egg into each one. Put the ramekins in the steamer basket, close the lid, turn the machine to cook, and cook the eggs for about 3.5 to 4 minutes. The number of eggs you can poach at one time will depend on the size of the steam tray and ramekins.

Alternatively, if you are cooking a batch of rice, just place the steam tray and ramekin in the rice cooker near the end of the cooking cycle.

Try a poached egg on top of a bowl of harissa chickpeas.

How to cook scrambled eggs in a rice steamer

Ingredients

• Eggs
• Milk (or cream)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Butter or oil (optional)

Utensils

• Rice cooker
• Ice
• Bowl
• Silicone spatula

Method

• Lightly whisk the eggs with milk (or cream), salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• Coat the inside of the rice cooker pot with non-stick cooking spray. If you don't have cooking spray, you can use melted butter or oil as an alternative.
• Add the egg mixture to the rice cooker, cover, and set to cook.
• Cook the eggs for around 3 to 4 minutes, then open the rice cooker and push the eggs around with a silicone spatula.
• Continue cooking and stirring until the eggs reach your desired consistency. Close the lid as needed to maintain heat.
• Transfer the eggs to a serving plate.

Tips

• If the rice cooker seems to be getting too hot, switch the appliance to warm.
• Serve with condiments such as Tabasco, ketchup, salsa, sriracha, harissa, or pesto.
• Top with grated cheddar, parmesan, or goat cheese.
• Garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley, green onions, cilantro, chives, or dill.

Frequently asked questions