No more take-out — make this Air Fryer fried rice at home. It’s delicious, quick, and simple to prepare in an air fryer.
If you enjoy Asian flavors and crave restaurant-quality fried rice, this recipe delivers. It’s especially convenient when you have leftover rice or a batch of long-grain rice like basmati from the Instant Pot. Ready to make Air Fryer fried rice? Let’s get cooking.
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Super Easy Air Fryer Fried Rice Recipe
This Air Fryer fried rice is an easy way to transform plain cooked rice into a flavorful dish. It works best with chilled leftover rice and a few pantry staples. The air fryer helps crisp and heat the rice evenly, producing a texture close to restaurant-style fried rice.
What Rice Is Best For Air Fryer Fried Rice
Choose a rice that separates easily rather than a sticky variety. Best options include:
- Basmati rice
- Jasmine rice
- Long-grain rice
- Surinam rice
A well-chilled, slightly dry rice will absorb sauces and stay separate rather than clump together, giving you a better fried rice texture.
What You Need For This Recipe
Gather the following ingredients before you begin. Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
- Cooked long-grain rice (chilled)
- Frozen mixed vegetables (peas, green beans, carrots)
- Onion
- Scallion
- Red bell pepper
- Eggs
- Soy sauce
- Olive oil or vegetable oil
How To Make Air Fryer Fried Rice
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 5 minutes. Use chilled leftover long-grain rice or cook 3 cups of rice and cool it completely.
- Place the rice in a large bowl. If rice is warm, spread it out to let it cool.
- Finely chop the onion, dice the red bell pepper, and thinly slice the scallion.
- Add frozen vegetables to the rice. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil.
- Whisk and scramble the eggs in the skillet. Once cooked, add the scrambled eggs to the rice and mix to distribute evenly.
- Drizzle soy sauce and oil over the rice, then stir to coat evenly.
- Transfer the rice mixture into an air fryer–safe cake pan or shallow dish that fits your air fryer basket.
- Cook in the air fryer for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to ensure even heating and light crisping.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Can You Make It Ahead?
Yes. Prepare the rice, scramble the eggs, and chop vegetables ahead of time. Cool everything completely, store separately in airtight containers, and finish the frying step in the air fryer when ready to serve.
How To Store Air Fryer Fried Rice
Let fried rice cool completely before storing to reduce bacterial growth. Storage options:
- Refrigerator — place cooled rice in an airtight container or zip-top bag and refrigerate for up to 1–2 days.
- Freezer — store in freezer-safe containers or bags, label with the date, and freeze for up to one month for best quality. Longer storage can affect texture and moisture.
How To Reheat Air Fryer Fried Rice
Reheat thoroughly to at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure safety. Options include:
- Wok or skillet — heat on high with a little oil, stirring frequently until piping hot.
- Air fryer — preheat to 360°F (182°C), heat rice in an air fryer–safe pan for about 10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Microwave — place rice in a covered microwave-safe container with a splash of water, and heat until steaming hot, stirring once or twice. This is the quickest method but won’t give the toasted texture of a skillet or air fryer.
Serve Fried Rice With
Fried rice works as a main or a side. Complement it with grilled or skewered proteins, egg rolls, prawn crackers, or a fried egg for a complete meal. It pairs well with chicken satay, grilled chicken, kabobs, or a simple fried egg on top.
More Easy Rice Recipes You’ll Like
Try other simple rice recipes like long-grain white rice, air fryer cooked rice, mushroom rice, Mexican rice, risotto, or brown rice in the air fryer for variety and inspiration.
Air Fryer Fried Rice
Air Fryer Fried Rice
Flavorful air fryer fried rice that rivals restaurant versions — ready quickly and perfect as a side or main.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked long-grain rice, cold
- 2 eggs, scrambled
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, green beans, carrots)
- ⅓ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ onion, chopped
- 1 scallion, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C) for 5 minutes.
- Put cold cooked long-grain rice into a large bowl. Chop the onion and bell pepper, and slice the scallion.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high and add a bit of oil.
- Whisk and scramble the eggs in the skillet, then add them to the rice and mix in the vegetables.
- Pour soy sauce and oil over the rice, stirring to coat evenly.
- Transfer the rice mixture to an air fryer–safe cake pan or dish.
- Cook in the air fryer for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 355
Total Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 84mg
Sodium: 1226mg
Carbohydrates: 52g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 12g
Nutrition information is approximate and provided for informational purposes only.
If you want fried rice that rivals restaurant versions, try this simple air fryer method — fast, flavorful, and easy to customize.
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