Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (2024)

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Panda Express fried rice is one of our favorite side dishes from the popular Asian take out restaurant. Just like this air fryer ham fried rice, this recipe can be made in the air fryer and it comes out perfect every time.

Making fried rice in the air fryer is literally dump, mix, heat, serve. With a few ingredients and less than 20 mins you’ve got this sought after dinner recipe piping hot and ready to be devoured!

Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (1)

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Table of Contents

  • Why this Panda Express fried rice copy cat is sooo good!
  • Join our exclusive Air fryer group on Facebook!
  • Ingredients
  • What can I use instead of soy sauce?
  • How to make fried rice in the air fryer
  • Tips to make restaurant quality Panda experience rice at home
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Need some more Asian Air fryer recipes? You bet!
  • Other Air fryer fried rice recipes.
  • Panda Express fried rice copy cat recipe in the air fryer

Why this Panda Express fried rice copy cat is sooo good!

Tasty! Tasty! Did I say Tasty already. Bring restaurant quality home by making this in the air fryer. And here are a few reasons why it’s so good!

Easy peasy! Fried rice is generally an easy side dish. Air fryer fried rice is easier to make and more handoff than making it on the stovetop.

Few ingredients: No fancy ingredients here. Requires just a few pantry staples and you are well on your way to a tasty dinner.

Time saver! Oh yes this is a time saving recipe. Simply dump and start while you stir occasionally.

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Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (2)

Ingredients

  • Cold Cooked long grain white rice
  • Soy sauce
  • Scrambled Eggs
  • Spring onions
  • Frozen peas and carrots
  • White pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Ginger
Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (3)

What can I use instead of soy sauce?

If you are allergic to Gluten, You won’t be able to use regular soy sauce. Below are a list of substitutes to use;

  • Tamari soy sauce wondering what makes Tamari difference, read about it in this article.
  • Worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrins brand)
  • Coconut aminos
Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (4)

How to make fried rice in the air fryer

This is a beginner friendly recipe and one of the easiest you will make in your air fryer. There’s a full printable recipe card at the bottom of the page the steps below are just an overview.

First you need to gather your ingredients, all you need is one bowl which should be the cake tin in which you would be cooking the rice in. Gently mix all ingredients together using the fold in method so you don’t break up all the eggs and squash veggies.

Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (5)

Set the temperature to 350°F / 177°C and cook for 10 to 15 minutes stirring at 5 minutes intervals.

Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (6)

Tips to make restaurant quality Panda experience rice at home

  • Type of rice: long grain rice work better with this recipe. Jasmin, Parboiled and Basmati.
  • Use cold rice: cold rice is best for Asian style fried rice because it keeps the food from getting mushy
  • The rice would be cooked through by 10 mins the extra 5 mins helps to get it toasty to simulate frying on a wok.
Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (7)

Frequently asked questions

What is in the fried rice at Panda Express?

According to their website, their fried rice contains steamed White rice, Soy sauce, Eggs, Peas, Carrots and Green onions

Does Panda Express do chicken fried rice?

I don’t think they do since I haven’t seen chicken fried rice on their menu. However if chicken fried rice is what you crave! Add some cooked chicken breasts to this recipe and there you have it!

What can I use instead of soy sauce in fried rice?

You can use Coconut aminos or Worcestershire sauce (please use the Lea & Perrins brand if gluten free)

What kind of white rice does Panda Express use?

Most Chinese restaurants use Jasmine rice there I would assume that’s what is used in their restaurants. However any long white tube should work. I have use parboiled long grain and Basmati with success.

Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (8)

Need some more Asian Air fryer recipes? You bet!

  • Making PF Chang’s frozen honey chicken in the air fryer is a total game changer!
  • Air fryer Dumplings

Other Air fryer fried rice recipes.

  • Ham fried rice in the air fryer
  • Chicken fried rice
  • Egg fried rice
  • Vegetable fried rice.

Check out all our >>>Air fryer Recipes!

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Panda Express fried rice copy cat recipe in the air fryer

Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (11)Chichi

Panda Express fried rice is one of our favorite side dishes from the popular Asian take out restaurant. Just like this air fryer ham fried rice, this recipe can be made in the air fryer and it comes out perfect every time.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 304 kcal

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Ingredients

  • 3 cups Cold cooked rice
  • 3-4 Tablespoon Low sodium soy sauce (use Tamari for gluten free)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ginger powder
  • ¼ teaspoon White pepper
  • 2 - 3 Tablespoon oil
  • 3 Large Eggs (scrambled)
  • ½ cup spring onions (chopped)
  • cup frozen mixed carrots and peas

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, preferably the oven safe dish to be used to cook it in the air fryer.

  • Put bowl of well mixed rice into the air fryer. Set temperature to 350°F / 177°C and bake for 10 to 15 mins, stirring every 5 mins.

  • When cooking is done, taste for salt and adjust accordingly before serving .

Notes

  1. Mix ingredients gently but thoroughly before cooking.
  2. Stir at 5 mins intervals while it cooks.
  3. Scrambled eggs on the stovetop and let it cool slightly before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 41.2gProtein: 11.3gFat: 10.2gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 1063mgPotassium: 306mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2.6gCalcium: 36mgIron: 8mg

Nutrition DisclaimerNutritional information is an estimate and may change based on products used. Please read our Nutrition disclaimer page.

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Panda Express Fried Rice recipe in the Air fryer (Copycat) (2024)

FAQs

What kind of fried rice does Panda Express use? ›

Fried Rice Panda Express FAQ

To make Panda Express white rice, simply cook your choice of long grain rice according to the package directions — no extra flavors or steps! And if you do want some extra flavor, my Asian sesame rice would pair wonderfully with any of your favorite Chinese entrees.

How long does rice take in the air fryer? ›

Cooking rice in an air fryer

Once your rice is sufficiently strained (and the water is clear), pop it into the cake tin and add your boiled water and salt. Tightly cover the dish with aluminium foil, stick it in the air fryer and cook for 25 minutes.

What oil does Panda Express use? ›

Panda Express entrees and sides contain zero grams of trans fat per serving and adds no MSG in their food. Panda Express uses only 100% pure soybean oil in the preparation of recipes.

How do you get the smoky flavor in fried rice? ›

You can introduce smoky flavours to your rice by considering other methods such as using a flavoured oil to fry your rice with so perhaps a combination of butter and peanut oil in which you fry off smoked bacon first.

Does Panda Express use soy sauce for fried rice? ›

Fried rice from Panda Express contains cooked rice, eggs, peas, carrots, soy sauce, and green onions, offering a simple yet flavorful blend of ingredients.

What is the difference between fried rice and Chinese fried rice? ›

The usage of rice

But in Chinese rice, it is suggested to use leftover cooked rice to avoid the rice from being sticky. In Fried Rice, most quick-service restaurants (QSRs) use long-grain white rice like Basmati, whereas Jasmine Rice is used in Chinese Rice.

Does Panda Express use MSG in fried rice? ›

Panda prepares its entrees fresh with shared cooking equipment and therefore allergens could be present in any entree. Panda Express does not have any vegetarian or gluten free dishes. No MSG added except for that naturally occurring in certain ingredients.

What is the healthiest option at Panda Express? ›

Here are the healthiest Panda Express menu options that go lighter on calories, sodium, sugar, and fat, and load up on protein and veggies.
  • String Bean Chicken Breast. ...
  • Black Pepper Angus Steak. ...
  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken. ...
  • Firecracker Shrimp. ...
  • Grilled Teriyaki Cub Meal. ...
  • Mushroom Chicken. ...
  • Super Greens. ...
  • Brown Steamed Rice.
Feb 20, 2024

Does Panda Express have onions in their fried rice? ›

Fried rice is one of six options as the base for your plate at Panda Express and it is easily the most popular (at least that's what the Panda Express employee I asked told me). It consists of white rice, soy sauce, eggs, carrots, and green onions. The flavor is salty and a little oily in the best way possible.

What is the best oil to use for fried rice? ›

It is key to the authentic flavor of this dish. Peanut oil. this is another ingredient that adds authentic flavor to this recipe, but if you have a peanut allergy in your household you can substitute canola oil or additional sesame oil for the peanut oil.

What can I add to fried rice for more Flavour? ›

To give your dish that signature fried rice taste, you'll need to drizzle in sesame oil and soy sauce, but feel free to use as much or as little as you wish. You can even mix in things like garlic powder, ginger root, or Sriracha sauce and chili pepper for a bit of a kick.

Is Panda Express fried rice white rice? ›

Fried rice is one of six options as the base for your plate at Panda Express and it is easily the most popular (at least that's what the Panda Express employee I asked told me). It consists of white rice, soy sauce, eggs, carrots, and green onions.

Is the fried rice at Panda healthy? ›

Chow Mein noodles and fried rice are higher fat choices, so stick with the steamed rice and ask if brown rice is an option. Choose vegetable dishes to save calories and fat. Consider doubling up on vegetables and skipping the rice.

Does Panda Express fried rice have meat? ›

Although this wouldn't be suitable for vegan guests, as it contains egg, the fried rice is merely a medley of peas, carrots, and green onions dressed in savory soy sauce. If you don't mind that it's tossed in woks that meat entrees may have also touched, this is a suitable side.

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