Oven-Fried Rice
This Oven-Fried Rice is the perfect way to use up leftover rice, turning it into a crispy, savory dish with minimal effort. Packed with flavor from soy sauce, sesame oil, and your favorite veggies, it's a quick meal that everyone will love. With a perfect balance of crispy edges and tender rice, this recipe is not only easy but super customizable. Whether you're adding a protein or keeping it vegetarian, this oven-fried rice is the ideal way to repurpose leftovers into a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked rice best if it's a day old; cold rice crisps up better
- 2 tbsp oil vegetable, canola, or sesame for extra flavor
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option
- 1 tsp sesame oil adds a deep, nutty flavor but can be skipped
- 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder or ¼ cup finely chopped onions
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt adjust based on your soy sauce’s saltiness
Mix-Ins (Optional but Recommended!):
- ½ cup frozen peas and carrots or any veggies you love
- 2 eggs lightly beaten (for that classic fried rice taste)
- ½ cup cooked chicken shrimp, or tofu (great way to use up leftovers!)
- 2 green onions chopped (for garnish and extra flavor)
Substitutions & Extras:
- No soy sauce? Use coconut aminos or low-sodium soy sauce.
- Want a spicy kick? Add red pepper flakes or a squeeze of sriracha.
- No sesame oil? Olive oil works but it won’t have the same depth of flavor.
- Now that you’ve got everything ready let’s turn this into something amazing!
Instructions
How to Make Leftover Oven-Fried Rice
- This is as easy as it gets! No need to stand over a hot stove—just mix, spread, and bake. Let’s do this!
Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (unless you love scrubbing pans—totally your call).
Prep the Rice
- In a big bowl, break up the cold rice with your hands or a fork. (No clumps allowed—we want every grain to crisp up!)
- Drizzle in soy sauce, oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix it up like you mean it.
Add the Good Stuff
- Stir in peas, carrots, and any other veggies or proteins you’re using.
- If adding eggs, scramble them in a separate bowl, then pour them into the rice mixture.
Spread It Out
- Dump the rice onto your prepared baking sheet and spread it into a thin, even layer. (No rice mountains—spread it out so it gets crispy!)
Bake to Perfection
- Pop it in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Give it a good stir, then bake for another 10 minutes until golden and slightly crispy.
Final Touches
- Take it out and sprinkle it with chopped green onions. Maybe a little extra soy sauce if you’re feeling fancy.
Serve and Enjoy!
- Grab a plate, dig in, and enjoy your zero-effort, crispy fried rice. Try not to eat it all straight from the pan!
- See? Told you it was easy! Now, who's ready for seconds?
Notes
- Make sure to use cold, day-old rice for the best texture.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables and proteins like shrimp, chicken, or tofu.
- If you want extra crispiness, finish the rice with a broil for 2–3 minutes.