Description

Crispy Rice is a delightful and versatile dish that transforms plain cooked rice into a crunchy, flavorful treat. With simple pantry ingredients and a quick cooking process using a skillet, this recipe offers satisfying texture and taste, perfect as a snack or a meal accompaniment. The recipe is easy to customize with vegetables, proteins, or sauces, making it ideal for family meals or casual dining occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder

Optional Garnish and Serving

Fresh herbs (such as chives or cilantro) for garnish
Soy sauce or dipping sauce (optional, for serving)

Instructions

Prep the Rice: Use cooked rice that has been cooled or refrigerated, preferably day-old, to reduce moisture and promote crispiness during cooking.
Heat Oil: Place a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Heat until hot but not smoking to ensure the rice crisps properly without burning.
Add Rice: Spread the cooled rice evenly in the hot skillet to form a uniform layer for even crisping.
Season: Sprinkle salt, garlic powder, and onion powder evenly over the rice, then stir gently to coat the rice thoroughly with the seasonings.
Cook Undisturbed: Let the rice cook without stirring for 5 to 7 minutes. This step is essential to form a crispy golden crust on the bottom layer.
Flip and Crisp: Carefully flip sections of the rice or stir gently, then cook for another 5 to 7 minutes. Repeat flipping and cooking until the rice reaches your desired crispiness and golden brown color.
Remove from Heat: Once the rice is crispy and golden, take the skillet off the heat to prevent overcooking or burning.
Rest: Allow the rice to rest in the skillet for about 5 minutes, letting the texture set and develop extra crunchiness.
Serve Immediately: Transfer the crispy rice to a serving platter or cutting board, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot with optional dipping sauces.

Notes

Use day-old rice for best crispiness as fresh cooked rice contains too much moisture.
Try coconut or sesame oil for different flavor variations.
Customize seasonings by adding spices like paprika, cayenne, or curry powder.
Maintain proper medium heat to avoid burning the rice while achieving crispiness.
Monitor during flipping to prevent breaking the rice and ensure even texture.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, reheating in a skillet to restore crispiness.
Freeze single layers of rice for up to one month; reheat directly in a skillet from frozen.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

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