Air-Fried Egg Rice: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Making egg fried rice in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and tasty way to enjoy a Chinese takeout classic without the extra oil and salt. It's also a great way to use up leftover rice and any other ingredients you have on hand. The recipe is simple: mix cold, cooked rice with eggs, vegetables, and sauces like soy sauce and oyster sauce, then cook in an air fryer at 350-380°F (175-193°C) for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can also add protein like chicken or shrimp, and garnish with scallions or sesame seeds. So, if you're looking for a delicious and versatile dish that's ready in less than 30 minutes, give air fryer egg fried rice a try!

Choosing the right rice

Use Cooked Rice: For air fryer egg fried rice, it is best to use cooked rice that has been cooled or chilled in the refrigerator. Leftover rice that has been in the fridge overnight works perfectly. Using freshly cooked, warm rice will result in a mushy and sticky texture due to its high moisture content.

Rice Temperature: Cold or chilled rice is crucial because it has a drier texture, and the grains will fry up better in the hot air circulation of the air fryer. Using hot, freshly cooked rice will make it soggy instead of light and fluffy.

Rice Variety: Both white and brown rice are suitable for making egg fried rice in an air fryer. You can also use long-grain basmati rice, which is ideal for cooking in an air fryer.

Amount of Rice: The amount of rice you need will depend on the serving size and your preference for the rice-to-ingredient ratio. A typical serving size for fried rice is around 1.5 to 2 cups of cooked rice per person.

Grain Type: For the best results, use long-grain or medium-grain rice. Short-grain rice tends to be stickier and may not provide the desired texture for fried rice.

Storage: If you don't have leftover rice on hand, you can cook the rice beforehand and store it in the refrigerator until it's chilled. Cooked rice can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days before using it for fried rice.

By following these guidelines and choosing the right type of rice, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious and fluffy egg fried rice in your air fryer!

Adding vegetables

• Carrots
• Peas
• Corn
• Broccoli
• Beans
• Onions
• Garlic
• Bell peppers
• Baby corn
• Sugar snap peas
• Water chestnuts
• Bamboo shoots
• Zucchini
• Cauliflower

When preparing your vegetables, try to cut them into uniform sizes so they cook at the same rate. You can also use frozen mixed vegetables, which can be a convenient option that still provides a variety of veggies in your fried rice.

If you're using fresh vegetables, you may need to adjust the cooking time or partially cook them before adding them to the air fryer. This is because fresh vegetables tend to take longer to cook compared to frozen ones.

Additionally, you can experiment with different combinations of vegetables to find your favorite mix. For example, you could try a stir-fry blend of frozen vegetables or create your own mix with two or more types of veggies.

Remember, the key to successfully adding vegetables to your egg fried rice in the air fryer is to ensure they are cut into small, even pieces and to adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve the desired level of doneness.

Adding eggs

If you want to add raw eggs to your fried rice, you can beat them and pour them over the rice during the last few minutes of cooking. You can also cook the eggs separately and mix them with the rice before serving. This is a good option if you want to avoid the eggs sticking to the rice, which can change the texture of your dish.

Another option is to mix the raw eggs with the rice before cooking. This method is inspired by the Golden Egg Fried Rice recipe that went viral on TikTok. By mixing the egg with the rice before cooking, you can avoid the constant stirring required when making fried rice in a wok.

Adding sauces

Soy Sauce

Soy sauce is a popular choice for fried rice as it adds saltiness and umami. It is also versatile and can be used as a gluten-free option if needed. When using soy sauce, be mindful that a little goes a long way, and you can always add more to taste. If you want to add a little extra spice to your dish, you can also stir in some Sriracha sauce.

Oyster Sauce

Oyster sauce is another excellent option for fried rice, adding a touch of sweetness and tanginess to the dish. It is a key ingredient in achieving an authentic flavour, but if you do not eat seafood, you can leave it out, and your fried rice will still be delicious.

Coconut Aminos

If you are looking for a gluten-free and soy-free alternative, coconut aminos is a naturally sweet and savoury option. It is a great gluten-free substitute for soy sauce and adds a unique flavour to your fried rice.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is essential for achieving an authentic-tasting fried rice. It has a robust nutty flavour, and only a small amount is needed to make a big impact on the overall taste of the dish.

Butter

While not a traditional ingredient in fried rice, butter can add a lovely creaminess and moisture to the dish. It also helps to prevent the rice from sticking together.

Garlic and Chilli Sauces

For a flavour boost, you can add some aromatic sauces such as garlic chilli sauce, vegan oyster sauce, nam jim jaew (Thai chilli dipping sauce), or Shacha sauce. These sauces will add a punch of flavour to your fried rice and make it taste even more delicious.

When adding sauces to your egg-fried rice in an air fryer, remember to taste as you go and adjust the quantities to your preference. You can always add more sauce, but it is difficult to reverse if you have added too much, so start with a smaller amount and increase gradually.

Cooking the rice

Air fryer fried rice is a quick and easy dish to make, and it's a great way to use up leftover rice and other ingredients. It's also very versatile, as you can add in whatever proteins or vegetables you like.

To make fried rice in an air fryer, it's best to use cold, leftover rice that has been refrigerated. This is because fresh, warm rice can turn out mushy in the air fryer, whereas day-old rice is drier and fries up better. White or brown rice both work well. You'll need about 2-3 cups of cooked rice, depending on how much fried rice you want to make.

Before cooking the rice, it's important to coat it evenly with oil and dry seasonings. This will help the rice fry up evenly and give it a nice, crispy texture. You can use avocado oil, sesame oil, olive oil, or even melted butter. For the dry seasonings, you can use salt, pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, and/or ground white or black pepper.

Once your rice is coated, transfer it to an oven-safe dish that will fit inside your air fryer. A cake pan or baking pan works well. Spread the rice out evenly in the dish.

Now, you're ready to cook the rice in the air fryer! Set your air fryer to 350-380°F and cook the rice for 5 minutes. Then, remove the pan and stir the rice with a wooden spoon to ensure even cooking. You can also add in liquid seasonings at this point, such as coconut aminos or soy sauce, and mix well.

Return the pan to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then, remove the pan again and stir in a whisked egg, if using. The egg is optional, but if you want it to have a more authentic fried rice texture, it's best to cook the egg separately and then mix it into the rice. Finally, stir in some chopped scallions or green onions for a fresh flavour.

Frequently asked questions