This crispy rice recipe is a scrumptious manner so as to add crunch to salads, bowls, and facet dishes! It is easy to make on a sheet pan with 4 easy components.

This crispy rice recipe is one among my favourite methods so as to add crunch to salads and bowls. Simple to make on a sheet pan with simply 4 components, it transforms dry, boring day-old rice into one thing utterly scrumptious. It’s crackly, toasty, and infused with nutty, savory taste from tamari and sesame oil. I find it irresistible as the bottom of a bowl or salad or as a crunchy topping for roasted veggies, candy potatoes, and extra.
I developed this crispy rice recipe after consuming essentially the most scrumptious crispy rice salad at a restaurant (shoutout to Hai Hai in Minneapolis!). I’d made crispy rice on the range many occasions earlier than, the place one facet of the rice will get crispy and the remainder stays tender, however after consuming that salad, I began craving a model that was totally crisp and flavorful.
Fairly than frying batches of rice in a skillet, I discovered toasting it within the oven to be the best strategy. Quick ahead by means of a number of burned, bland, and not-quite-crispy assessments, and I’ve nailed my recipe. I hope you like this crispy rice as a lot as I do!

Crispy Rice Components
This crispy rice recipe begins with 4 easy components:
- Rice, in fact! Similar to once you’re making fried rice, leftover rice is greatest right here. Freshly cooked rice is simply too moist and fluffy to crisp up properly within the oven. The drier, firmer texture of leftover rice is definitely preferable! Any kind of white rice works effectively, from quick grain rice like sushi rice to lengthy grain rice like jasmine. Basmati and jasmine rice are my go-tos.
- Toasted sesame oil – It helps the rice brown within the oven and provides scrumptious nutty taste.
- Tamari or soy sauce – For salty, savory taste. Be sure you use licensed gluten-free tamari in the event you want this recipe to be gluten-free.
- And sea salt – I toss it with the crispy rice as quickly because it comes out of the oven. I feel it’s the key ingredient on this recipe, making the rice’s toasty taste pop.
Discover the whole recipe with measurements beneath.
Methods to Make Crispy Rice
This crispy rice recipe has 4 simple steps:
1. Season the rice. Place it on a baking sheet and toss it with the tamari and sesame oil. Unfold it in a single layer.
2. Roast for 10 minutes, then toss. Pop the rice in a 400°F oven for 10 minutes, then give it a great stir to assist it cook dinner evenly. Unfold it in a single layer once more.
3. Return to the oven and bake till frivolously crisp and golden brown, one other 12 to 16 minutes.
- Observe: The rice ought to be crisp across the edges at this level, but it surely’s okay if it’s nonetheless barely tender within the center. It is going to proceed to crisp up because it cools. For those who go away it within the oven for too lengthy, it can rapidly go from just-right to burnt.
4. Toss with the salt and let cool barely earlier than utilizing in salads, bowls, and extra!
Suggestions for the Finest Crispy Rice
- Use leftover rice. It must be dried out to be able to get golden and crunchy, so attempt to cook dinner it 1 to three days earlier than you make this recipe. In a pinch, you possibly can cook dinner contemporary rice, unfold it on a plate, and let it sit at room temperature for an hour to chill and dry out earlier than baking (it could want a number of further minutes within the oven to get crispy).
- Unfold it in a single layer. For those who’ve made any of my roasted vegetable recipes, this rule effectively: meals want house to be able to get crisp and browned within the oven. If the rice is clumped collectively, it can steam and soften. Unfold it in a skinny layer and toss midway by means of to provide all of the grains an opportunity to make direct contact with the recent pan.
- It crisps up because it cools. It’s simple to over-bake the rice on this recipe. Take it out of the oven when it’s crisp across the edges however nonetheless has the slightest tender chunk within the heart. For those who let it cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes earlier than serving, it can find yourself with an ideal crispy texture.

Methods to Serve
This crispy rice is an ideal base for salads and grain bowls. It’s particularly scrumptious in recipes with Asian flavors, like this sushi bowl and this mango ginger rice bowl. And maintain your eye out for a brand new crispy rice salad coming later this week!
I additionally find it irresistible as a crispy topping. Sprinkle it over any roasted veggie topped with a flavorful sauce, like roasted candy potatoes drizzled with sesame ginger dressing or roasted broccoli with gochujang sauce. It’s the proper crunchy garnish!
Methods to Retailer and Reheat
Retailer leftover crispy rice in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 days. It is going to grow to be much less crispy within the fridge.
I don’t thoughts the marginally softer texture at room temperature in grain bowls and salads, however in the event you’d wish to crisp it up once more, you possibly can reheat it in a 325°F oven or air fryer.
Extra Rice Recipes to Attempt
For those who love this crispy rice, attempt one among these scrumptious rice recipes subsequent:

Crispy Rice Recipe
Serves 6
This crispy rice is crunchy, golden brown, and simple to make within the oven utilizing leftover rice and some easy seasonings. I find it irresistible in salads and grain bowls and as a crispy topping for facet dishes like roasted greens.
- 3 cups cooked and cooled rice, leftover rice is greatest
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Stop your display from going darkish
-
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
-
Place the rice on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the sesame oil and tamari, toss to coat, and unfold evenly on the baking sheet.
-
Roast for 10 minutes, then toss. Roast for one more 12 to 16 minutes, or till the rice is frivolously crisp and browned. It is going to proceed to crisp up because it cools.
-
Toss with the salt. Let cool for five to 10 minutes to crisp up earlier than serving.


