If you’re craving that perfect takeout-style fried rice but want a healthier twist with less oil and fuss, you’re going to love this Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe. It’s got all the savory flavors and that irresistible wok-tossed texture, but made effortlessly in your air fryer. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making fried rice this way all along!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick Prep: Ready in just about 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthier Option: Uses brown rice and minimal oil, giving you fiber and flavor without guilt.
- Easy Cleanup: Everything cooks right in your air fryer basket—no messy stir-fry pans required.
- Flavor-packed & versatile: The combination of ginger, garlic, and sesame oil brings bold Asian-inspired notes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe uses simple ingredients that are vegan-friendly (except the egg, which you can omit or substitute) and staple pantry items. The flavors balance beautifully: the earthy brown rice, sweet carrots, garlicky punch, and aromatic sesame oil create a harmony that’s both familiar and fresh. I always recommend using day-old brown rice if you have it, but I’ll share a trick in the steps if you don’t.
- Carrot: Provides natural sweetness and a little crunch; chopping small helps it cook quickly in the air fryer.
- Scallions: White parts offer mild onion flavor to cook with; greens add fresh color as a garnish.
- Fresh ginger: Adds bright warmth and depth that livens up the dish without overpowering.
- Vegetable oil: A neutral oil that helps the veggies cook without burning and imparts a subtle richness.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning and bringing together all the flavors.
- Long-grain brown rice: Nutty, chewy, and wholesome; holds up better when air fried compared to softer varieties.
- Garlic: Gives classic aroma and flavor—don’t skimp here!
- Low-sodium soy sauce: Balances saltiness and umami without making it too salty.
- Toasted sesame oil: The secret flavor bomb that fills the kitchen with a lovely nutty scent.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity.
- Large egg: For that traditional fried rice silkiness and protein boost.
- Frozen peas: Adds pop of color and sweet freshness, plus they thaw quickly in the cooking process.
Note: Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing this Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe up depending on what’s in my fridge. It’s super adaptable, so don’t be afraid to add or swap ingredients to suit your mood or whatever veggies you have on hand!
- Variation: I sometimes toss in diced bell peppers, mushrooms, or leftover cooked chicken or shrimp for extra protein — it turns this into a complete meal effortlessly.
- Dietary Mods: To make it vegan, skip the egg or replace it with crumbled tofu or scrambled chickpea flour.
- Spice it Up: A splash of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes gives it a nice kick if you like things spicy.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Veggie Base
Start by combining the chopped carrot, white parts of the scallions, ginger, vegetable oil, and kosher salt in a 7-inch nonstick round pan that fits your air fryer basket. Pop the pan right into the basket and air fry at 400°F for about 5 minutes, giving everything a good stir halfway through. The goal here is to soften the carrots and mellow the scallions without burning anything — watch for a tender-crisp texture and that wonderful aroma.
Step 2: Toast the Rice and Build Flavors
Next, remove the basket and add the pre-cooked brown rice, garlic, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and freshly ground black pepper to the veggie mixture. Stir well to combine all those gorgeous flavors. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook at 400°F for about 5 more minutes — this helps the rice get lightly toasted and really soaks up the sauce. Pro tip: if you don’t have day-old rice, spread freshly cooked brown rice on a tray and chill it in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to dry it out a bit before using.
Step 3: Add Egg and Peas, Finish Cooking
Remove the basket again and pour the beaten egg over half of the rice mixture. Add the thawed peas to the other half (for an even cook). Pop the basket back in and air fry at 400°F for about 4 minutes, just until the egg is set and the peas are warmed through. Give everything a final stir to combine, then sprinkle the green parts of the scallions on top as a fresh garnish. You’ve nailed it!
Pro Tips for Making Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe
- Use Day-Old Rice: It keeps grains separated better; if fresh, chill the rice beforehand.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking in a 7″ pan helps the ingredients cook evenly without steaming.
- Stir Midway: Always stir halfway through cooking to prevent uneven browning.
- Watch for Egg Set Point: Remove as soon as egg is set to avoid dryness or rubbery texture.
How to Serve Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe
Garnishes
I always top this with the bright green scallion parts to add fresh color and a slight onion crunch. Sometimes I sprinkle toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of sriracha for an extra touch of flavor and texture.
Side Dishes
This Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe pairs wonderfully with grilled teriyaki chicken, steamed dumplings, or simple stir-fried greens like bok choy or broccoli. It’s a great base that complements lots of Asian-inspired mains.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun dinner party or special occasion, I’ve served the fried rice molded into small ramekins and then inverted onto plates for a neat presentation. Garnish with thinly sliced cucumber and a wedge of lime to brighten the plate visually and flavor-wise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When doing so, try to cool it quickly after cooking to avoid sogginess. I usually layer a paper towel on top to help absorb excess moisture.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well! I portion out servings into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend tossing the rice briefly back in the air fryer at 375°F for 5 minutes to crisp it up again, or microwaving covered with a damp paper towel to retain moisture without steaming it soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use white rice instead of brown rice in this Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe?
Absolutely! You can substitute with cooked white rice if that’s what you have on hand. Just keep in mind white rice is softer and can become mushy more quickly, so reduce the cooking time slightly and keep a close eye while air frying to maintain texture.
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Do I need to pre-cook the rice before air frying?
Yes, the rice should be fully cooked and ideally cooled or chilled before air frying to prevent clumping and to ensure it crisps up nicely. If you don’t have leftover rice, freshly cooked rice that’s been spread out and cooled for a bit works too.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Definitely. Just skip the egg or replace it with scrambled tofu, chickpea flour scramble, or omit it altogether. The rest of the recipe is naturally vegan-friendly.
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What size air fryer pan works best for this fried rice?
A 7-inch nonstick round pan fits perfectly inside most standard air fryer baskets and allows for even cooking without overcrowding. If your air fryer is smaller or larger, adjust the pan size accordingly but keep the mixture in a thin layer.
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How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the pan?
Using a nonstick pan coated lightly with vegetable oil before starting helps a lot. Also, stirring halfway through cooking prevents sticking and promotes even browning.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe is one of those favorite go-to dinners I make when I want something comforting, quick, and satisfying but not heavy or greasy. I love that it gives me the texture and flavor of traditional fried rice with way less mess and fat. You’re going to find yourself reaching for it again and again — it’s just that reliable and delicious. So grab your air fryer, gather your ingredients, and let’s make fried rice that’s crispy, flavorful, and downright addictive!
PrintAir Fryer Fried Brown Rice Recipe
This Air Fryer Fried Brown Rice recipe is a quick and healthy twist on traditional fried rice, using wholesome brown rice and fresh vegetables cooked to perfection in an air fryer. It features a balance of savory flavors from ginger, garlic, and soy sauce with a hint of toasted sesame oil and a tender scrambled egg, making it a delicious and easy meal for any time of the day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 large carrot, peeled, trimmed, and chopped into small pieces (about 3/4 cup)
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 2 tsp finely chopped fresh ginger (from a 1-inch piece)
Pantry
- 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 1/2 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Grains and Protein
- 2 cups long-grain brown rice, cooked and cooled
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Cook vegetables: In a 7-inch nonstick round pan, combine chopped carrot, white parts of scallions, finely chopped ginger, vegetable oil, and kosher salt. Place the pan inside the air-fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, stirring halfway through, until the onion and carrot are just tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add rice and seasonings: Remove the air-fryer basket, then add cooked brown rice, garlic, low-sodium soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper to the carrot mixture. Stir well to combine. Return to the air fryer and continue cooking at 400 degrees until the rice is lightly toasted, about 5 minutes more.
- Cook egg and peas: Remove the basket again and pour the lightly beaten egg over half of the rice mixture, and add thawed peas over the other half. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook at 400 degrees until the egg is just set and peas are warmed through, about 4 minutes. Stir everything together gently and top with green parts of scallions before serving.
Notes
- Use day-old cooked brown rice for the best texture to avoid sogginess.
- Feel free to substitute frozen peas with other frozen vegetables such as corn or diced bell peppers.
- If you do not have a 7-inch pan that fits in your air fryer, you can use any similar-sized ovenproof dish that fits.
- Adjust soy sauce quantity according to your salt preference to keep it low sodium if desired.
- For a vegan version, omit the egg and consider adding tofu or tempeh as a protein alternative.
