Fried Rice in the Air Fryer
Fried rice is the best way to use cooked rice from last night, and the air fryer makes it with very little oil and almost no stirring. Cold, dry rice cooks into separate, lightly crisp grains in about 12 minutes, with egg and vegetables mixed through. The one rule is food safety, because cooked rice must be cooled quickly and kept in the fridge, which this page explains.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 22min
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 420kcal
Why the air fryer works for fried rice
Fried rice in air fryer cooking is quick and uses much less oil than a wok. The hot air dries and lightly crisps the grains, which is exactly what fried rice needs, so there is very little stirring. You only need to stir the dish now and then. It is a good way to turn a small amount of leftover rice into a hot meal for two.
There is one important rule. Cooked rice can carry spores of a bacterium called Bacillus cereus, which survive cooking and multiply if rice is left at room temperature. The Food Standards Agency advises cooling cooked rice quickly (ideally within an hour), keeping it in the fridge and eating it within 24 hours. Reheat it until it is steaming hot all the way through, and never reheat it more than once. More details are on the FSA cooking guidance.
How to make fried rice in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Check the rice Use rice that was cooled quickly after cooking (within an hour) and kept in the fridge for no more than . Break up any lumps with a fork so the grains separate.
- Cook the vegetables Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Mix the oil, carrot, garlic and peas in a heatproof dish or tin about 18 cm across, put it in the basket and cook for , stirring once.
- Add the rice Add the cold rice, soy sauce and sesame oil, stir well and cook for , stirring every , until the rice is hot and slightly crisp at the edges.
- Add the egg Push the rice to the sides, pour the beaten egg into the middle and cook for . Stir it through, then cook for another until the egg is set and the rice is steaming hot all the way through.
- Check and serve Check that the rice has reached 75 °C in the centre with a thermometer. Stir in the spring onions and serve straight away.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Fried Rice | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Egg fried rice, 2 portionsCold rice, stir every 2 minutes | 180 °C | 12 min |
| Chicken fried riceNot vegetarian, 75 °C in the rice | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Reheating leftover fried riceSteaming hot, 75 °C | 170 °C | 5–6 min |
| Frozen cooked riceDefrost in the fridge first | 180 °C | 14–15 min |
| Fried rice ballsChill and crumb them first | 190 °C | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Cool the rice properly. Spread freshly cooked rice on a tray to cool, then chill it within an hour. Cold, dry grains fry into separate pieces instead of clumping.
- Use a dish. Rice grains are small, so use a heatproof dish or a foil tray. It also catches the egg and the sauce.
- Season with soy at the end. Add the soy sauce once the rice is hot and taste before adding more, as the sauce is salty.
Serving
Serve the rice on its own as a quick supper, or as a side with chicken thighs, prawns or spring rolls. Add a drizzle of sweet chilli sauce if you like. Fried rice air fryer portions also work well in a packed lunch, as long as you chill them quickly and keep them cold until you reheat them.
Storing and reheating
Cool any leftovers quickly, cover them and put them in the fridge within an hour. Eat them within 24 hours. Reheat in a heatproof dish in the air fryer at 170 °C for 5–6 minutes, stirring once, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Do not reheat fried rice a second time.
Variations
- Chicken fried rice (not vegetarian): Add 150 g of diced cooked chicken with the rice. Make sure the chicken and rice are steaming hot, at least 75 °C, before serving.
- Prawn fried rice (not vegetarian): Stir in 100 g of cooked prawns for the last 2 minutes, just to heat them through.
- Kimchi (check the label for fish sauce): Replace the soy sauce with 3 tbsp of chopped kimchi and a spoonful of its juice.
Troubleshooting
- The fried rice is wet and sticky
- The rice was warm or freshly cooked. Use cold rice that has been chilled for at least a few hours, and spread it out to dry before cooking.
- The grains fall through the basket or burn
- Always use a heatproof dish or a foil tray with edges, not the bare basket. Stir every 2 minutes so the edges do not scorch.
- The egg is rubbery
- It cooked for too long on its own. Add it for the last 4 minutes only and stir it through quickly while the rice is still hot.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook fried rice in an air fryer?
Yes. Cooked cold rice, vegetables and egg cook well in a heatproof dish in the basket at 180 °C. Raw rice does not work in this method.
How long does fried rice take in an air fryer?
About 12 minutes at 180 °C, including the egg. Reheating leftover fried rice takes 5–6 minutes at 170 °C.
How do you reheat fried rice in an air fryer safely?
Put it in a dish and heat at 170 °C for 5–6 minutes, stirring once, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Reheat once only and do not keep it afterwards.
Is it safe to use leftover rice?
Yes, if you follow the Food Standards Agency guidance. Cool the rice quickly, ideally within an hour, keep it in the fridge and use it within 24 hours. Cooked rice left at room temperature can grow bacteria that cause food poisoning.
Can you make fried rice with frozen rice?
Yes. Use frozen cooked rice that has been defrosted in the fridge, or cook it from frozen in the dish for 2–3 minutes longer. Pouch rice that has been chilled works too.
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