We make fried rice every week at home! It’s so easy to prepare, and I love that it’s packed with vegetables. Any opportunity to incorporate extra veggies into my family’s meals is a win for me!
I decided to take my reader’s favorite Fried Rice recipe and try making it in an air fryer instead of on the stove. The result was fantastic! I love how effortless this Air Fryer Fried Rice recipe is. Aside from stirring it occasionally, the air fryer does all the work!
This Air Fryer Fried Rice recipe is bursting with flavor! I used soy sauce for saltiness, oyster sauce for a touch of sweetness and tang, and sesame oil for its rich, nutty flavor that comes through in every bite. It’s absolutely delicious!
You can pair this air fryer fried rice with one of my many takeout-inspired dishes. I have so many options, and they’re all incredibly tasty! Below, I’ve included a list of some of my favorites. Alternatively, you can add shredded chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp to make this a complete and satisfying meal.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Fried Rice
- Rice: You’ll need cooled, cooked rice for this recipe. Leftover rice is ideal, but you can also cook rice the night before and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. Both white and brown rice work perfectly.
- Vegetables: Fresh garlic and onion provide great flavor. I also use frozen mixed vegetables for convenience. My mix includes corn, peas, carrots, and green beans, but feel free to choose your favorites!
- Egg: Fried rice is incomplete without eggs! I scrambled the eggs and added them to the rice.
- Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds salt and umami, so no extra salt is needed.
- Oyster Sauce: This gives the fried rice a hint of sweetness and tanginess. It’s a must!
- Sesame Oil: Sesame oil has a nutty taste that enhances almost all of my Asian-inspired recipes. It really elevates the flavor of the rice!
- Butter: Butter prevents the rice from sticking together and adds flavor. I always include butter in my fried rice recipes.
How to Make Air Fryer Fried Rice
- Prepare the ingredients: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. In the meantime, add melted butter, scrambled eggs, frozen mixed vegetables, onion, garlic, cooked rice, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil to an oven-safe pan. I used an 8 x 3-inch cake pan.
- Cook: Air fry the rice mixture for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes, and cook until the rice and veggies are heated through.
- Serve: Serve the Air Fryer Fried Rice immediately, garnished with green onions if desired! I love pairing it with Air Fryer Egg Rolls.
How to Store Air Fryer Fried Rice
Store the fried rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove until piping hot. You may need to add a little water when reheating if the rice has dried out.
Tips for Success
- This is a great way to use up leftover rice! Add protein to turn it into a complete meal, or serve it alongside another main dish like my 20-Minute Cashew Chicken.
- Experiment with different frozen vegetables! Supermarkets offer many frozen vegetable mixes, including stir-fry mixes. Other vegetables that work well in this recipe include bell peppers, baby corn, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and yellow squash.
- To cut down on prep time, use pre-chopped frozen onions and pre-minced garlic instead of dicing and mincing them yourself. Alternatively, onion powder or garlic powder can make it even easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can you cook raw rice in an air fryer? Yes, you can! This recipe also provides great instructions on how to make Air Fryer Rice.
- Can I add anything else to this recipe? Absolutely! You can add shredded chicken, diced cooked pork or beef, shrimp, and various vegetables like bell peppers, baby corn, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and yellow squash.
What Can I Serve Air Fryer Fried Rice With?
I have a wide variety of recipes that pair perfectly with fried rice! Here are some of my favorites:
Air Fryer Fried Rice
This Air Fryer Fried Rice is bursting with flavor and loaded with healthy vegetables, making it a quick and easy dish to prepare. Simply toss everything into the air fryer and let it do all the work! Perfect for pairing with stir-fries or any Asian-inspired homemade takeout dish, and ready in under 30 minutes!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, cooked and scrambled
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (no need to thaw)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups cooked and chilled rice (white or brown rice)
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- In the meantime, combine melted butter, scrambled eggs, frozen mixed vegetables, diced onion, minced garlic, cooked rice, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil in an oven-safe pan (I used an 8 x 3-inch cake pan).
- Cook the mixture in the air fryer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Once the rice and vegetables are hot, remove from the air fryer and serve immediately. Garnish with green onions, if desired.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
- Calories: 647 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 121g
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 108mg
- Sodium: 455mg
- Potassium: 344mg
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 2621 IU
- Vitamin C: 7mg
- Calcium: 77mg
- Iron: 2mg
Enjoy this quick and flavorful Air Fryer Fried Rice as a perfect side dish or main course!