Air Fryer Fried Rice

Loaded with crispy rice and colorful veggies, this Air Fryer Fried Rice is an easy twist on a takeout favorite! Everything cooks right in the air fryer for a quick, flavorful side dish that’s ready in less than 30 minutes.

Kelley’s Tips

Kelley’s Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Fried Rice

• Make it a meal. You can add some protein and call it a meal, or serve it with another main dish like my 20 Minute Cashew Chicken or 20 Minute Beef and Broccoli.
• Use cold, leftover rice. Day-old rice works best because it’s drier and crisps up much better than freshly cooked rice.
• Break up the rice first. Separate any clumps before adding it to the air fryer so the rice cooks and browns evenly.
• Don’t skimp on the oil. A little sesame oil helps the rice crisp while adding that classic fried-rice flavor.
• Customize the veggies. Frozen peas and carrots are easy, but bell peppers, corn, edamame, mushrooms, or broccoli work well too.
• Every air fryer is different. Start checking a few minutes early and add extra time if you want your rice even crispier.

Ingredients

• Rice – Cold, cooked rice works best for fried rice because it’s drier and crisps up better in the air fryer. Leftover rice is perfect, or cook your rice ahead of time and refrigerate it until completely chilled.
• Vegetables – Fresh garlic and onion add lots of flavor, while frozen mixed vegetables keep this recipe quick and easy. I use a blend of peas, carrots, corn, and green beans, but feel free to use your favorite combination.
• Egg – Scrambled eggs add protein and that classic fried rice texture. Cook them before adding them to the rice. The eggs get cooked right in the air fryer!
• Soy Sauce – Adds salty, savory umami flavor. I typically don’t add additional salt since the soy sauce provides plenty.
• Oyster Sauce – Oyster sauce adds a slightly sweet, savory, umami-rich flavor that makes the fried rice taste more like takeout.
• Sesame Oil – Sesame oil is a nutty-tasting oil that I use in almost all of my Asian-inspired recipes. It adds so much to the rice!
• Butter – Butter keeps the rice from sticking together and also provides flavor. I always add butter to my fried rice recipes.

How to make Air Fryer Fried Rice

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Grease the inside of the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Air Fryer Rice: Add rice, 3 tbsp of sesame oil and 1 tbsp of soy sauce. Stir to combine then air fryer for 10 minutes.

3. Stir then continue to air fryer: Stir then press the rice down in an even layer (this will help it to crisp up) Air fry for 10 more minutes or until the rice is golden brown and crispy (it will continue to crisp with the other ingredients).
4. Add veggies, onion, garlic and sauces to the air fryer. Stir to combine. Air fry for 5 more minutes.

5. Scramble eggs: Make a well in the center of the air fryer basket and add in the butter. Top with the whisked eggs and air fry for 5 more minutes.
6. Serve: Give one last stir then taste. Add a splash more soy sauce or sesame oil if needed then serve with green onions on top and a drizzle of bang bang sauce! I love serving this with Air Fryer Egg Rolls! Make it a meal and add some shrimp or chicken or serve it with another main dish like my 20 Minute Cashew Chicken or 20 Minute Beef and Broccoli.

Add some Bang Bang Sauce!

Take this fried rice to the next level with a drizzle of Bang Bang Sauce! It’s just like my homemade spicy mayo except with sweet Thai chili sauce added! The creamy, sweet, and spicy sauce adds tons of flavor and pairs especially well with crispy rice, shrimp, or chicken.

Recipe

Air Fryer Fried Rice

4.75 from 4 votes

Loaded with flavor and healthy vegetables, this Air Fryer Fried Rice couldn't be easier! Simply throw the ingredients in the air fryer and let it do the work for you. This rice pairs perfectly with stir-fries and any Asian-inspired homemade take-out dish, and it's ready in less than 30 minutes!

Author: Kelley Simmons

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 25 minutes mins

Serves 4

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Ingredients 

• 3 cups cooked and chilled rice, can use either white or brown rice
• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, no need to thaw
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs, cooked and scrambled
• green onions for garnish, if desired

Bang Bang Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
• 1-2 tbsp sriracha, depending on how spicy you like it
• 1 tsp sesame oil

Instructions

• Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.

  Grease the inside of the basket with nonstick cooking spray.

  Add rice, 3 tbsp of sesame oil and 1 tbsp of soy sauce. Stir to combine then air fryer for 10 minutes.
• Stir then press the rice down in an even layer (this will help it to crisp up) Air fry for 10 more minutes or until the rice is golden brown and crispy (it will continue to crisp with the other ingredients).
• Meanwhile add veggies, onion, garlic, soy sauce and oyster sauce to the air fryer. Stir to combine.

  Air fry for 5 more minutes.
• Make a well in the center of the air fryer basket and add in the butter.

  Top with the whisked eggs and air fry for 5 more minutes.
• Give one last stir then taste. Add a splash more soy sauce or sesame oil if needed then serve with green onions on top and a drizzle of bang bang sauce!

Bang Bang Sauce

• Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine and set aside.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 9gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 108mgSodium: 615mgPotassium: 253mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 2621IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 1mg

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