Want to make meals that wow? Beyond bold flavors and bright pops of color, focus on dishes with plenty of mouth-pleasing textures. Constructed from premium grains, crispy rice recipes offer diners what they crave most — delightfully golden, crunchy bites to sink their teeth into!

When it comes to tempting foods, the ones that pack a textural punch tend to garner the most likes. But snacks and crispy proteins shouldn’t have all the fun! Easy to make and fun to eat, crispy rice takes the premium grains you love into brand new territory. A warm bowl of fluffy RiceSelect® rice is hard to beat but follow a few simple steps, and you can create restaurant-style crispy rice that rivals the most viral recipe trends out there.

Starting with flavorful premium grains is key to achieving delicious crispy rice. Though some cooks prefer to choose a type of rice (from aromatic RiceSelect® Premium Jasmine to RiceSelect® Arborio), that best matches the dish they’re making, others rely on short-grain RiceSelect® Sushi Rice when making crispy rice. Due to its high starch content, sushi rice is stickier than other types of rice. This helps it hold together during the crisping process.

To make crispy rice, follow these simple steps:

  • Begin by cooking your rice of choice according to the package instructions. Keep in mind, making crispy rice is also a perfect way to use leftover rice!
  • Allow the rice to cool until you can safely handle it.
  • Line a baking tray or pan with parchment paper or plastic wrap, or coat with nonstick cooking spray. Press rice into pan and weight down to ensure that it’s as compact as possible.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour or, ideally, overnight, to allow rice to solidify and dry out.
  • Remove rice from the fridge and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut rice into equal-sized squares or rectangles.
  • In a frying pan, heat up 1/3 cup of vegetable oil. Fry each rice cube until golden on all sides. Season with salt, if desired.

As a tasty tidbit to snack on, a crunchy base for seasoned proteins, or a unique garnish, crispy rice is hard to beat. Having trouble getting your rice as crispy as you want? Make sure you let it rest after cooking, before frying. Wet rice won’t crisp up well so giving the rice time to dry out is essential. Ensure you have a hot pan and enough oil to prevent sticking. To make crispy rice with less oil, place rice cubes in your air fryer and cook until temptingly browned with craggy, toasted edges!

Ready to try your hand at making crispy rice? Open a jar of inspiration™ with RiceSelect,® and wow everyone at your table with these delicious dishes!

Crispy Rice Spicy Salmon 

Impressive yet incredibly easy to pull off, this dish features crispy rice as a tempting base for zippy seasoned salmon. A dish that partners satisfying crunch with velvety smooth salmon, savory soy sauce with the zesty zing of jalapeños, this one makes a tasty appetizer or light dinner. Though salmon is our go-to, try this with shrimp, sushi-grade tuna or a meat-free combo of seasoned tofu and creamy slices of avocado.

Vegan Crispy Kimchi Rice Fritters

Kimchi, scallions and spicy gochugaru-laced sauce make for an appetizer that packs a punch in this RiceSelect® Premium Jasmine Rice fritter recipe. Consider doubling the recipe for these hot, crispy morsels because they’re impossible to resist!

Thai Salmon Fish Cakes

With fewer steps — but all the crispy payoff! — this salmon cake recipe is for days when you’re short on time but can’t ignore your crispy rice cravings. Seasoned with cilantro, red curry paste, fish sauce and more, RiceSelect® Jasmati Rice and fresh salmon take on the delicious flavors of your favorite Thai dishes. Serve these tempting cakes alongside a simple steamed veg for a complete meal that feels anything but ordinary.

Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice

Looking to impress your guests with a restaurant-style dish? Elegant and brimming with flavor, this copycat recipe brings the excitement of dining out right into your home! Make the rice a day ahead of time, then fry just before guests arrive. As everyone begins to mingle, top with spicy tuna, a drizzle of eel sauce and garnishes, and serve!

Herbaceous Arancini Cakes

Crisp rice goes Italian in this irresistible take on the popular Sicilian treat. Cooked with sautéed onion, garlic and pancetta, plus chicken stock, white wine and Parmesan, RiceSelect® Arborio Rice is a flavor-packed base for this tasty snack. Though we recommend a combination of basil, thyme and mozzarella, you can use your favorite herbs and cheese to customize every bite to your liking.

Texmati Rice Fritters

The quickest route to crispy rice? Five-ingredient RiceSelect® Texmati fritters that come together in just 30 minutes! Delicious as is, these golden, crunchy snacks are also a versatile canvas for whatever you’re craving. Add nippy cheese or diced jalapeño peppers, cubed ham or sautéed veggies. Or use these as a tasty base for a slew of toppings — from cool sour cream or creamy hummus to sweet marinara and oven-crisped pepperoni!