Fried Rice with Carrot and Peas in Air Fryer

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9 March, 2026

Air Fryer Fried Rice with Carrots and Peas: easy, quick and full of flavor

Surely it has happened to you at some point: you have leftover rice from the day before and you don’t really know what to do with it. You keep it in the fridge “just in case”… and there it stays 😅. Well, this air fryer fried rice is exactly the perfect solution for those forgotten leftovers.

With simple ingredients, without a frying pan and with hardly any oil, you can transform boring white rice into a dish full of flavor, with tender vegetables, juicy egg and that addictive crunchy touch that we love so much about Asian fried rice 🍚✨.

Best of all, the air fryer does the dirty work for you: it cooks evenly, prevents the rice from clumping, and achieves texture without having to constantly stir. It is an ideal recipe for everyday use, for quick dinners or to use leftovers without looking like “recycled food.” I prepare it a lot when I want something delicious without complication, and it always succeeds.

Fried Rice with Carrot and Peas in Air Fryer

Why this recipe is perfect

✅ Take advantage of leftovers: Cold rice from the day before is even better.
✅ Quick: ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
✅ Lighter: much less oil than in the traditional frying pan.
✅ Ideal texture: loose grains with crispy spots.
✅ Versatile: you can easily swap out veggies or add protein.
🎁 Bonuses: It hardly makes a mess and reheats wonderfully.

Compared to classic wok fried rice, this version is simpler, cleaner, and much easier to control, especially if you don’t have experience with Asian cuisine. Perfect for both beginners and cooks in a hurry.

Ingredients explained

For 3–4 servings:

🍚 3 cups cooked white rice (better if cold)
🛢️ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (canola or sesame)
🥕 1 cup carrots, cut into small cubes
🟢 1 cup frozen peas
🧅 1 medium onion, chopped
🧄 3 cloves of garlic, minced
🥚 2 large eggs, beaten
🥣 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
🌿 ¼ cup chopped chives or green onion

👉 Cold rice is key to making it loose and not pasty.
👉 You can use jasmine, long or basmati rice.
👉 For gluten-free version, use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.

Equipment and preparation

Before you start, having everything prepared makes the process quick and error-free. In this recipe the order matters.

What you need:

Air fryer (minimum 4 L ideally)
A bowl for eggs
Knife and board
Heat resistant spatula or spoon

Previous preparation (mise en place):

Chop the onion, carrot and garlic into small cubes
Beat the eggs in a separate bowl
Crumble the cold rice with your hands to loosen the grains.

This previous step saves you time and prevents something from happening while you cook. In total, about 5 minutes well spent ⏱️.

Step by step instructions

① Prepare the ingredients

Have all the chopped vegetables, loose rice and beaten eggs before you start. This is key so that the fried rice turns out well and no ingredients are overcooked.

② Cook the eggs

Preheat the air fryer to 175°C. Pour the beaten eggs into the basket (with perforated paper if using). Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through, until they are scrambled. Remove and reserve.

③ Sauté the vegetables

Add the oil, onion, carrot and peas to the basket. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring once, until tender and lightly browned.

④ Add the rice and soy

Add the cold rice and soy sauce. Mix well so that the rice is coated and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring so that it heats evenly.

⑤ Finish the dish

Add the scrambled eggs and chives. Mix everything together and cook for a further 3–4 minutes until heated through and crispy. Serves instantly.

Pro tips and troubleshooting

🌟 Secrets for success

Use cold, dry rice to prevent it from clumping.
Don’t overfill the basket; Better in batches if necessary.
Stir just enough to create crispy areas.
A splash of sesame oil at the end gives an incredible aroma.

❌ Common mistakes

Problem: pasty rice
Cause: freshly made rice
Solution: use cold rice from the day before

Problem: soft vegetables
Cause: excess time or too much
Solution: cook in layers and adjust times

Variations and customizations

🔥 With chicken: Add diced cooked chicken.

🍤 With shrimp: Add them at the end so they don’t dry out.

🌱 Complete vegetarian: add crispy tofu.

🌶️ Spicy: a little sriracha or chili oil.

👶 Kids-friendly: reduces soy and eliminates garlic.

Serve and accompaniments

Serve this fried rice as a single dish or as an accompaniment to meat, fish or Asian dishes. Pairs great with rolls, teriyaki chicken or just a light salad 🥗.

Storage

🥡 Fridge: Up to 3 days in an airtight container.

❄️ Freezing: Not recommended due to the texture of the rice.

♨️ Overheating: 4–5 minutes in the fryer to recover the crispiness.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use brown rice?

Yes, it fits very well, although a little firmer.

Can it be made without eggs?

Perfectly, just omit it or use tofu.

What if my fryer is small?

Cook in batches for best results.

Go ahead and do it!

This air fryer fried rice is practical, tasty and perfect for everyday life 🍚🔥. If you try it, tell me what ingredients you added and save the recipe for when you have leftover rice.