Chinese fried rice is great for leftovers. The problem is, sometimes reheated fried rice is hard and dry – nothing like it was the day you prepared it or when it arrived hot and fresh at your door. You’ll be happy to know that there are a few super-easy ways to reheat leftover fried rice that bring it back to its original delicious glory. Keep reading to find out how!
Rice is generally easy to cook, either in a rice cooker, in a saucepan, or even baked in the oven. It’s especially tasty when you take cooked rice and fry it, so if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, you want to enjoy them the next day too! The key is to reheat the fried rice so it’s hot, fluffy, and tender.
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Can You Reheat Fried Rice the Next Day?
Yes! There are several easy ways to reheat fried rice on the stovetop, in the oven, in a microwave, or even in an air fryer!
How to Reheat Fried Rice
Method 1: How to Reheat Fried Rice on the Stove Top
You’ll need a wok or a large frying pan, a tight-fitting lid, some oil, water, and a few optional ingredients if desired, such as diced onions, thawed frozen peas, or diced carrots. Heat the wok or frying pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Add your optional ingredients and cook briefly until tender-crisp, and then remove and set aside. Add additional oil to the pan if needed and add the rice. Use a wooden spoon to break up any clumps. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water and cover with a lid. The contents will begin to steam. Once the steam has stopped, add the optional ingredients. Then remove the pan from the heat, stir, and serve!
Method 2: How to Reheat Chinese Fried Rice in the Oven
You’ll need a casserole dish with a fitted lid or some foil, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 T water, and optional seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, or ground ginger for additional flavor. Preheat the oven to 300℉. Mix the butter with the optional seasonings and place into the casserole dish. Add the rice on top and break up any large clumps (you can break up the rice in a bowl ahead of time if desired). Sprinkle the rice with the water and cover the casserole. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir, and serve!
Method 3: How to Reheat Fried Rice in the Microwave
This is the quickest way to reheat fried rice. You’ll need a microwave-safe dish, a microwave cover or some wet paper towels, 1-2 tablespoons of water, and 1 tablespoon of melted butter or vegetable oil. Place the rice in the microwave-safe dish and break up any large clumps (you can break up the rice in a bowl ahead of time if desired). Add the water and the butter/oil and slightly mix. Cover the dish with the microwave cover or wet paper towels and ensure that the entire surface is covered. Microwave on high for 2 ½ to 3 minutes, pausing in the middle to stir. Check to see if the rice is warm throughout. If not, microwave for one-minute increments, checking after each minute, until done.
Method 4: How to Reheat Fried Rice in an Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400℉. Place the rice in a bowl and break up any large clumps. Evenly spread the rice in the air fryer basket. Optional: spray or drizzle a bit of cooking oil on the surface of the rice. Reheat for 8-10 minutes, checking to ensure it’s fully reheated before serving.
Tips & Tricks
- Add water to moisten the rice before reheating: If you’re reheating fried rice on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave, adding a bit of water will help produce tender results. Additional water is not needed if reheating fried rice in the air fryer.
- Stir it once or twice during reheating: To ensure the rice is thoroughly reheated, give it a stir while it’s cooking.
- Make sure the rice is completely cooked through to kill any bacteria: Heat kills bacteria, so always ensure that the reheated rice is hot and cooked through.
What is the Best Way to Reheat Fried Rice?
As long as you’ve added moisture back into the rice, you’ll have excellent results reheating it on the stove top, in the oven, or in the microwave. If you’re using an air fryer to reheat fried rice, no additional moisture is required.
How Long to Reheat Fried Rice in the Microwave?
Reheating fried rice in the microwave takes just a few minutes. After placing the rice in a microwave-safe dish, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of butter/oil and slightly mix. Cover the dish with the microwave cover or wet paper towels and ensure that the entire surface is covered. Microwave on high for 2 ½ to 3 minutes, pausing in the middle to stir. Check to see if the rice is warm throughout. If not, microwave for one-minute increments, checking after each minute, until done.
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Reheating Fried Rice Step By Step Instructions
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover fried rice
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Place the rice in the microwave safe dish and break up any large clumps
- Add the water and melted butter. Mix gently.
- Cover the dish with the microwave cover or wet paper towels and ensure that the entire surface is covered.
- Microwave on high for 2 ½ to 3 minutes, pausing in the middle to stir. Check to see if the rice is warm throughout. If not, microwave for one-minute increments, checking after each minute, until done. Serve and enjoy!
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