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Crispy Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe
Ben Carraoli

Crispy Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe

I recently tried making fried rice in my air fryer, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to turn out this good. The rice came out perfectly crispy on the edges while staying soft and flavorful inside.
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Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups cooked brown rice
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon oyster sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup mixed vegetables
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray

Method
 

  1. Start by using cold, day-old brown rice for the best texture. Fresh rice tends to be too soft and sticky, which won’t crisp well. Break up any clumps using your hands or a fork so the grains are separated. This step ensures even cooking and crispiness in the air fryer.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the rice with sesame oil, soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly so each grain is coated with flavor. This step is key to achieving that classic fried rice taste without needing a wok.
  3. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 3–5 minutes. Preheating helps the rice start crisping immediately when it goes in. It also ensures even cooking from the beginning.
  4. Transfer the rice mixture into the air fryer basket in an even layer. Lightly spray with oil to help crisp the edges. Cook for 10 minutes, shaking or stirring halfway through to ensure all sides cook evenly.
  5. After 10 minutes, add your vegetables and cooked scrambled eggs to the basket. Stir everything together gently. Cook for another 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender and everything is heated through.
  6. Remove the rice from the air fryer and mix in chopped green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • I always use leftover rice because it crisps much better than fresh rice
  • Don’t overcrowd the air fryer; I cook in batches if needed for even crispiness
  • I like to add a little extra sesame oil at the end for enhanced aroma
  • Stirring halfway through cooking makes a huge difference in texture
  • I sometimes add a splash of soy sauce at the end for extra flavor boost