Consumer experts at Which? have warned home cooks against reheating rice in an air fryer, saying the appliance could not only ruin its flavour and texture but also pose a health risk.
Rice contains spores of harmful bacteria, so it must be handled with extreme care when reheating. The experts explained: "If cooked rice is left out at room temperature, the bacteria can start growing again from the spores, multiplying and producing toxins that cause food poisoning. Reheating will not get rid of these toxins."
Why the air fryer is not recommended for rice
The Which? experts noted that although some people do reheat rice in the air fryer, they do not recommend it. They wrote: "The appliance's rapid hot air can quickly dry out or harden the rice. Rice also needs particular care when reheating, so we'd recommend using a method that makes it easier to heat it thoroughly and evenly."
Food experts at Good Food added that while adding a few drops of water into the air fryer basket is "fine", it should not be done too often. The appliance is not built for boiling foods, so adding water could damage the heating element and, in turn, the air fryer.
Pasta and other foods to avoid
If you want to crisp up rice but not reheat it fully, that can be done in the air fryer. The same idea applies to pasta, as putting unnecessary liquids in an air fryer can lead to damage or more work when cleaning.
CPD Online College wrote: "It is not recommended to cook pasta in an air fryer due to the liquids and sauces used during the cooking process, as when the hot air circulates it can cause a splatter which can be dangerous, and it can also be messy."
How to reheat rice safely
Instead of the air fryer, Which? recommended using the microwave. Place the rice in a microwave-safe dish, add one to two tablespoons of water to help it remain moist, and heat until it is piping hot in the middle. A rice cooker is another appliance that works well.
If you have too much rice that will not be eaten straight away, it is best to leave it to cool as soon as possible, then store it in the fridge.
