Beyond flavor, freshness and color, texture is an integral part of any winning dish! That’s why crispy rice recipes are always on repeat on our weekly meal plans. Recipes that turn any type of rice from fluffy and light to crunchy, craggy and irresistible, these will have you rethinking how to make rice the star of any meal.
Made with leftover rice, or from scratch, crispy rice recipes are tempting and hearty, whether they’re paired with seafood or meat, vegetables or nothing more than a suitably savory sauce. So read on, and learn the ins and outs of transforming rice into the family’s favorite, not-so-guilty pleasure.
Tips and Tricks for Perfectly Crispy Rice Every Time
Though making crispy rice can take a little practice, it’s a fairly simple process that can be approached in a few different ways. With a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll be able to tackle this essential kitchen task.
- First, it’s important to start with quality rice that has a delicate, delicious flavor. Crispy rice can be made with any type — white, jasmine, basmati or brown — and can also easily be made with leftover rice.
- Different recipes call for different techniques to achieving perfectly crispy rice, such as pan-frying, deep-frying, baking or air-frying. For pan- or deep-frying, it’s best to use a cast-iron pan or non-stick skillet. Though it’s hard to get the same results with baking, it’s a mess-free method that can still yield a satisfactory crispy rice dish. With parchment paper and a little oil, your air-fryer can turn leftover rice into tempting morsels of crispy rice in mere minutes.
- When pan- or deep-frying fresh or leftover rice, it’s best to shape the rice into patties or to press it into a small pan to dry out before being cut it into portions. Then, fry the patties or squares on all sides until golden and thoroughly crisped.
- High heat and a brush of oil will help rice crisp up in the oven.
- On the off chance that you have leftover crispy rice, reheat it gently in a lightly-oiled, heavy-bottomed frying pan. It won’t be as crunchy as the first time around, but it will still make for a satisfying snack!
- An ingredient you won’t want to waste, leftover crispy rice can be sprinkled over salads or soups, or used as a crackly final garnish on a protein bowl or stir-fry.
The Best Rice for Crispy Rice Recipes
Designed for no measure, no mess cooking, Success® Rice’s line of quality products are the perfect sidekicks when embarking on any crispy rice recipe. From white to jasmine, each one cooks in just 10 minutes, meaning that these kitchen must-haves won’t derail your plans, even when you don’t have leftover rice on hand. Choose the type you like best, then partner it with a slew of fresh ingredients to make the crispy rice recipe you and your family crave.
Crispy Rice Recipes to Satisfy Your Crunch Cravings
Your cravings triggered, it’s time to make dishes that highlight the delicate chew and crisp edges of golden, crunchy crispy rice.
Crispy Rice with Spicy Shrimp Salad
A dish that combines the fresh flavors of sushi with the inviting texture of just-fried rice, this appealing snack is great for guests, for serene weekend dinners or for cozy solo nights! To prep this one ahead of time, press leftover rice into a small pan lined with plastic wrap and store in the fridge. The next day, you can continue right where you left off!
Avocado “Toast” Rice Cakes
Made with Success® boil-in-bag brown rice, these gluten-free rice cakes are a devastatingly delicious way to get your daily dose of whole grains. Great with creamy avocado, zesty pico de gallo and a generous sprinkling of briny feta cheese these are also hard to resist all on their own.
Rice Appetizers
Prep for your next get-together with a batch (or two!) of these Cheddar-spiked white rice appetizers. For the crispiest results, pan-fry these in vegetable oil instead of baking.
Asian Rice Cups
Warm and tender with jagged, caramelized edges, these dainty little cups pack a lot of flavor into a tiny package! Use Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice, or whichever type you have on hand, and switch up the veggies and sauce for a fresh experience every time these are on the menu.
Successful Crab and Rice Cakes
Patience is the key to giving these crab cakes a gorgeous, golden crust. The other secret? Using Success® boil-in-bag brown rice, which becomes toasty and crisp as it reacts with licks of hot oil.
Rice Pizza Crust
Pizza night takes a delicious detour when you start with rice pizza crust made with Success® boil-in-bag white rice. A crisp, comforting base for all of your favorite toppings, this gluten-free crust is also incredibly easy to make.
Nam Khao
Mixed with sausage and curry paste, coconut, fish sauce and more, Success® boil-in-bag jasmine rice morphs into the type of vibrant, savory dish that swiftly improves any mood! Serve these as appetizers or rolled up in lettuce wraps for a complete meal.
Tex-Mex Zucchini Rice Latkes
Here, zucchini subs in for potatoes with a load of zippy, fiery Tex-Mex flavors taking these latkes into uncharted territory! Each crunchy, satisfying one is a perfect vessel for mounds of sautéed pepper, pickled jalapeños, guacamole and any other garnish your heart desires.
Suppli Italian Rice Balls
Break out the air fryer for these savory rice balls brimming with cheese. Tender on the inside with a crisp outer shell, these are gooey and crunchy, and couldn’t be easier to prepare. Serve them with a little marinara on the side, and you’ll understand why these are rumored to disappear in record time.
Italian Spinach Rice Balls
A perfect party food, these snackable bites make the most of simple pantry ingredients, like Success® boil-in-bag basmati rice, fresh spinach, cheese, eggs and breadcrumbs. Come to think of it, you’ll want to fry up these rich, golden brown morsels even when guests aren’t scheduled to arrive.
If you’ve only ever thought of rice as a temptingly simple side or a comforting, fluffy bed for saucy braises and flavorful stews, it’s crisp alter-ego may come as a surprise. Altered by heat and oil, rice becomes bold, irresistibly textured, and impossible to ignore. Sample some crispy rice recipes tonight, with Success® Rice!