You may just be getting used to your air fryer, or you may be an air fryer pro by now, but did you know that air fryers are not just for meats and crispy fries? You can actually cook your rice in the air fryer too!
But how long does it take to cook rice in the air fryer? It takes around thirty minutes to cook rice in an air fryer.
Read on for tips and tricks to use your air fryer to cook rice.
Can an air fryer be used as a rice cooker?
If you don’t have a rice cooker, don’t despair! Rice cookers only do one thing and take up a lot of precious cabinet space.
Buying an air fryer is a great option instead of the rice cooker–you can put your rice in and basically forget about it until you are ready to serve.
This saves you from having to watch rice on the stove to make sure it doesn’t boil over, and it allows you to cook rice perfectly every time.
How long to cook white rice in an air fryer?
It will take you around a half-hour to cook white rice in an air fryer. This is longer than in a rice cooker or instant pot, but it is a great option if all you have is an air fryer (or if you are using your instant pot to cook up another part of a meal).
Read also >> How Long To Cook Chicken Breast in Air Fryer? (Easy + Tender)
Read also >> How to Cook Brown Rice on Stove (Incl. Video + Helpful Tips)
How do I cook white rice in an air fryer?
If your air fryer is not also an instant pot, you can follow these steps. You will need to cook your rice in a 6-inch air fryer pan or cake pan covered with foil.
You will also need a large measuring cup. Here’s what to do:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350℉.
- Rinse your rice well and remove any debris. You can do this in a colander with small holes.
- Combine 1.5 c water, 1 T olive oil or butter, and ½ t salt in a large measuring cup and microwave for 3-4 minutes. (You can skip the fat and salt if you like.)
- Place 1 c white rice in a 6-inch air fryer pan or cake pan sprayed with cooking spray.
- Pour the water over the rice, making sure all the rice is covered with water.
- Cover tightly with foil.
- Cook for 25 minutes. Test to see if done. If the rice is not to desired tenderness, cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
That’s it! You don’t need to babysit your rice or worry about it spilling all over your stove.
How long to cook brown rice in an air fryer?
Can you also cook brown rice in an air fryer? Generally, it takes longer to cook brown rice than white rice.
You can still cook brown rice in the air fryer, using the steps above, but increase the cooking temperature to 400℉.
Test the brown rice after 25 minutes of cooking time. If it is not tender, add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time.
How long to cook fried rice in an air fryer?
Maybe you already have rice cooked from a prior meal and are wondering about something quick and healthy you can do with it?
Or maybe you just love fried rice but don’t want to eat the extra fat and salt you get from restaurant fried rice?
Whatever the reason, air fryer fried rice is a great option for an easy meal. Plus you can customize it with all types of veggies to make it your own (or please picky eaters).
How do I cook fried rice in the air fryer?
It is typically best to start with cold or day-old rice, as warmer fresh rice can stick together while frying.
You can add whatever you want to the recipe. Some good additions are any kind of frozen veggie and/or a scrambled egg.
You can also add leftover cooked chicken, beef, shrimp, or tofu.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360℉.
- Put 3 c. cold cooked rice in a large bowl.
- Add 1 c. of frozen vegetables of your choice.
- Add 1 c. additional protein as desired (or 2 scrambled eggs).
- Add ⅓ c soy sauce and 1 T olive or vegetable oil.
- Mix everything together thoroughly.
- Turn your mixture into an oven-safe pan that can fit into your fryer (this could be a cake pan).
- Cook for 15 minutes, stirring at least 3-4 times during cooking.
Tips and Tricks for air fryer fried rice.
Does it matter what type of rice you use? White and brown rices come in a number of different varieties–long grain, short grain, jasmine, basmati, etc.
All of these cook in more or less the same amount of time in the air fryer. Make sure you check after 25 minutes and add more time as needed.
Do you need to rinse rice before cooking? It is generally a good idea to rinse the rice to get rid of any dirt, dust, or debris left in the rice. In some cases you will want to pick through the rice to remove any pebbles or hard grains.
Can I cook rice in my air fryer at high altitude? If you are up in your mountain house and still want to make perfectly tender rice, don’t worry.
Just add an extra minute of cooking time for every 1,000 feet above 3,000 feet of elevation.
How to cook Rice in Air Fryer | Rice made in Air Fryer | Air Fryer Recipe | Easy Air Fryer Recipe >> Check out the video below:
Conclusion
Can you cook rice in an air fryer? It seems crazy, and some internet cooks claim it’s impossible, but give it a try–you may even toss out that rice cooker.
How long to cook rice in an air fryer? It will only take you around half an hour.
This includes prep time (you will need to add boiling water first because the air fryer will not be able to boil the water). It’s a good idea to let rice rest for a few minutes after cooking as well.
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