This egg fried rice in air fryer recipe is an easy way to turn leftover rice into a quick meal with eggs, carrots, peas, red pepper, onion, and plenty of seasoning. I like that everything cooks together, and the rice gets slightly crisp while staying fluffy inside.
This is one of those air fryer recipes that's a handy way to use vegetables you already have, and you can easily change them depending on what needs using up. If you want another simple air fryer meal, try this Air Fryer Broccoli. Keep reading to see how easy it is to turn leftover rice into crispy, flavorful fried rice in the air fryer.
Jump to:
Video Tutorial
Try This Egg Fried Rice in Air Fryer
If you have leftover rice sitting in the fridge, this easy fried rice recipe is a good way to use it. The egg coats the rice before it cooks, while carrots, peas, red pepper, and onion add plenty of texture.
I especially like the soy sauce, ginger, and garlic combination. It keeps the seasoning simple but gives the rice enough flavor that it works on its own or alongside another dish.
Why You’ll Love It
- Uses leftover rice: Day-old cooked white rice works really well here.
- Lots of veggies: Carrots, peas, red pepper, onion, and green onion are all mixed through the rice.
- Easy cooking: Everything goes into one baking dish before cooking in the air fryer, and prep time is minimal.
- Easy to change with simple ingredients: You can add vegetables such as mushrooms, bok choy, broccoli, or cabbage.
Ingredients
- Cooked rice: I prefer using day-old rice because it’s a little drier and less likely to turn wet while cooking. It also separates more easily when you mix it with the egg and vegetables.
- Eggs: Whisk the eggs before mixing them with the rice so the grains get coated. I make sure the egg is fully cooked before serving, with no runny pieces left behind.
- Soy sauce: This brings most of the savory flavor to the rice. I start with the measured amount, then taste at the end before deciding whether it needs any more.
- Vegetables: Carrot, frozen peas, red pepper, onion, and green onion give this fried rice plenty of color and texture. I like having several different vegetables in here rather than relying on peas and carrots alone.
How to Make Egg Fried Rice in Air Fryer
1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/205°C and let it warm up for 3-5 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the egg and add the cooked rice. Mix well so that each grain of rice is coated with eggs.
3. Add the diced carrots, peppers, and onions. Add vegetable oil, soy sauce, ginger powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well so that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish. Сook for 12 minutes.
5. Check to make sure the rice is well-cooked and the vegetables are soft. If needed, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
6. Transfer the fried rice to a big plate or serving dish, add sliced green onions, and mix well.
7. Your air fryer fried rice is ready! Serve hot, and enjoy your meal!
Recipe Tips
- Day-old rice is my first choice because it’s drier and helps prevent the finished fried rice from becoming too wet.
- Stir the rice occasionally while it cooks so everything cooks evenly.
- Check the egg before serving to make sure it is completely cooked and isn’t runny.
- For crispier rice, cook it for a few extra minutes. For softer rice, lower the temperature to 350°F or shorten the cooking time.
- Taste before serving and add a little more soy sauce or salt if needed.
What Can You Serve With This?
- Stir-fried vegetables
- A simple salad
- Chinese-style chicken
- Crispy tofu
FAQs
Yes, but I prefer day-old rice because it’s drier. If the rice is too wet, it can leave the finished fried rice wetter than you want.
Cook it for a few extra minutes. If you prefer softer fried rice instead, you can reduce the temperature to 350°F or shorten the cooking time
Yes. Mushrooms, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, or other peppers all work as variations. You can also use fresh vegetables instead of the frozen peas.
Recipe
Egg Fried Rice In Air Fryer (Easy & Healthy)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Large bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Baking dish or pan
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- Oven mitts
- Hot plate trivet
- Serving dish
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice preferably day old
- 2 eggs
- 1 carrot diced
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 red pepper diced
- ½ onion diced
- 1 stalk green onion sliced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/205°C and let it warm up for 3-5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg and add the cooked rice. Mix well so that each grain of rice is coated with eggs.
- Add the diced carrots, peppers, and onions. Add vegetable oil, soy sauce, ginger powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well so that all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish. Сook for 12 minutes. Note: Again, be careful. The walls of the air fryer are very hot.
- Check to make sure the rice is well-cooked and the vegetables are soft. If needed, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the fried rice to a big plate or serving dish, add sliced green onions, and mix well.
- Your air fryer fried rice is ready! Serve hot, and enjoy your meal!
Notes
Cooking Time and Temperature
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F/205°C for 3–5 minutes, then cook the fried rice for 12 minutes, adding another 1–2 minutes if needed.Taste & Texture
Savory and slightly crisp with fluffy rice, tender vegetables, egg, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Transfer the fried rice to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Thaw frozen fried rice overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it in the air fryer or on the stovetop.
Serving Recommendations
- I like serving this hot with extra sliced green onions and a little soy sauce on the side.
- Add stir-fried vegetables or a simple salad for a more complete meal.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Add mushrooms or bok choy for extra vegetables.
- Use brown rice or farro instead of white rice.
- Add tofu or cashews for extra protein and crunch.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce if needed, or replace the vegetable oil with coconut or sesame oil.
Proper Storage Tips
- Transfer leftovers to an airtight container.
- Keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Pro Tips
- Use day-old rice when possible.
- Stir the rice occasionally so it cooks evenly.
- Check that the egg is fully cooked before serving.
- Give it a few extra minutes if you like your fried rice crispier.
Video
You can find the video in the post above. If you don't see a video, please check your browser settings.
Leave a Reply