This is one where it pays to be honest: you can cook rice in an air fryer, but it isn't what the appliance is built for. Here's how to do it if you want to, and when a pan is the better tool.
Key takeaways
Q: Can you cook rice in an air fryer?
A: Yes — in an oven-safe dish with hot water, covered with foil, at 160°C (320°F) for about 30–35 minutes. But a pan or rice cooker is usually quicker and easier.
Q: Is it worth it?
A: Only if your hob is busy — the air fryer doesn't boil, so it's a workaround rather than the best method.
How it works
- Use a dish with rinsed rice and hot water (about 1:1.5 rice to water).
- Cover tightly with foil to trap steam.
- Cook at 160°C for 30–35 minutes.
- Rest covered 5 minutes, then fluff.
When to use a pan
Because an air fryer heats with moving air rather than boiling water, rice takes longer and needs a covered dish to steam properly. For everyday rice, a pan or rice cooker is faster and more reliable. The air fryer earns its place for the rest of the meal — see the cooking times chart — while the rice goes on the hob. The same logic applies to pasta, which is better boiled.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook rice in an air fryer?
Yes, in a covered oven-safe dish with hot water at 160°C for 30–35 minutes — but it's a workaround. A pan or rice cooker is usually better.
Why isn't an air fryer good for rice?
It cooks with hot air, not boiling water, so rice needs a covered dish to steam and takes longer than on the hob.
Can you cook pasta in an air fryer?
Not really — pasta needs to boil in plenty of water, which an air fryer can't do. Cook it on the hob.