I love being able to make light, fluffy Ninja Foodi rice in mere minutes! My quick and easy recipe is my busy weeknight hack for rounding out a meal and keeping everyone happy.

My Easy Way to Make Rice in the Ninja Foodi

The first time I made Ninja Foodi rice was during a week when my schedule was packed and my brain was fried. I was making my family a big stir-fry dinner, but halfway through chopping veggies, I realized I’d completely forgotten to start the rice on the stove.

We had a rice cooker, but I was pretty sure it was somewhere in the basement, covered in a layer of dust. Then I remembered a friend talking about making rice in a pressure cooker, so I decided to grab my Ninja Foodi pressure cooker and give it a shot. 

I figured if it didn’t work, then I was right back where I started, just with a little less rice in my pantry. But when the timer beeped and I opened the lid, the white rice was fluffy and perfect, like something out of a restaurant! 

Even my kids noticed the difference and made me promise I’d make “this rice” every time. Which means I don’t have to babysit the rice on the stove, slow cook it for hours, or haul out the rice cooker, which is a win in my book!

And if you love a good rice recipe, try my recipes for air fryer rice, one pot chicken and rice, shrimp fried rice, and chicken broccoli rice casserole.

How to Cook Rice in the Ninja Foodi

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Add 3 cups of rice to the Ninja Foodi pot.

STEP TWO: Add 3 cups of water to the pot and salt, if using.

STEP THREE: Secure the pressure cooker lid on the Ninja Foodi. Make sure the valve is set to “Seal.”

STEP FOUR: Cook on “Pressure” for 4 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Ninja Foodi to do a natural pressure release for ten minutes.

STEP FIVE: Carefully move the steam valve to “Vent” to release any remaining steam. Remove the lid, then fluff the rice with a fork or spatula before serving.

Tips for the Best Ninja Pressure Cooker Rice

• Cover all the rice with water so every grain cooks evenly. I press any stray grains under with a spoon because otherwise, they won’t cook.
• I always check the bag to make sure I’m using the right ratio and cook times for the rice I’m cooking. Each different rice type requires a different liquid to rice ratio.
• I salt the rice before cooking so the grains absorb flavor from the start.
• To measure, I use a dry measuring cup for the rice and a liquid measuring cup for the water to get the best results.
• To avoid any rice sticking to the pot, I transfer the rice to a serving dish as soon as it’s done cooking.

Ninja Foodi Rice Variations and Substitutions

• For a savory flavor boost, I’ll swap the water for chicken broth or vegetable broth.
• I like to stir in fresh herbs after the rice is done cooking. I usually toss in parsley or cilantro for brightness.
• If I want to make coconut rice, I’ll replace half of the water with coconut milk. I love the subtle sweetness and rich flavor!
• To get the fluffiest rice possible, I rinse the rice thoroughly. I cover the grains in cool water, swish, and drain, then repeat until the water runs clear.
• When I want super sticky rice, I use jasmine rice and skip the rinsing step. This gives me that authentic takeout rice that’s perfect with Asian-inspired dishes.

What to Serve With Rice in the Ninja Foodi

Rice is one of my go-to sides to round out any classic dish like my Ninja Foodi chicken breast, Ninja Foodi pork chops, or baked salmon recipe.

I also love making sticky rice to go with Asian-inspired dishes like my air fryer teriyaki chicken, air fryer sweet and sour chicken, or air fried pork belly.

I am also guilty of just enjoying it with butter or a little gravy as a side dish.

Ninja Foodi Rice Chart

I always let the pressure naturally release for at least 10 minutes for the fluffiest texture.

Rice Type	Rice to Water Ratio	Cook Time	Natural Release
White (short or long grain)	3 cups rice to 3 ¾ cups water	2 minutes	10 minutes
Brown rice	3 cups rice to 3 ¾ cups water	22 minutes	10 minutes
Jasmine rice	3 cups rice to 3 ¾ cups water	2 minutes	10 minutes

Ninja Foodi Rice FAQs

How to store leftover ninja foodi pressure cooker rice

I let my leftover rice fully cool, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If I make a big batch, I portion it out and freeze the extra so I always have rice ready for quick meals.

How should I reheat leftover rice?

I sprinkle a little water over the rice and microwave it covered for a minute or two, or I reheat it on the stovetop in a skillet with a splash of broth. It tastes just as good as when it was fresh!

Why is my ninja foodi rice so sticky?

Whenever my rice turns out too sticky, it’s usually because I skipped the rinsing step. I rinse white rice under cold water until it runs clear for the fluffiest results.

More Easy Ninja Foodi Recipes:

• Ninja foodi pork tenderloin
• Ninja foodi baked potato
• Ninja foodi french fries
• Ninja foodi pulled pork
• Ninja foodi mac and cheese