Air Fryer Toasted Onion and Sesame Rice
Fluffy cooked rice tossed with crispy air-fried onions, toasted sesame seeds, and aromatic sesame oil. This Korean-style side dish transforms simple ingredients into a nutty, deeply savory complement to any meal. Ready in under 30 minutes and endlessly customizable for weeknight dinners.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Wait
- 5 min
- Total
- 33 min
- Makes
- 4 servings (about 3.5 cups total)
Steps
Before you start
- Have cooked rice at room temperature (day-old refrigerated rice works best and won't clump).
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes.
- Measure out all ingredients before you begin.
Toast sesame seedsOven 350°F / 175°C
- In the air fryer basket, add 2 tablespoons (30 g) of the sesame seeds in a thin, even layer.
- Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the seeds are fragrant and turn from opaque white to pale golden.
- Pour toasted seeds into a small bowl and set aside.
- Do not overcrowd—one layer only.
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Ready when: Seeds are pale golden and fragrant; when shaken, they move freely
Tip: Sesame seeds burn quickly. Use a lower temperature than for the onions to prevent bitterness.
Air fry sliced onionsOven 375°F / 190°C
- Add the sliced onion to the air fryer basket in an even layer.
- Lightly drizzle with 0.5 tablespoon (7 ml) of the sesame oil and toss gently with a wooden spoon to coat.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 14 minutes, shaking the basket every 4 minutes to ensure even browning.
- The onions should turn golden brown at the edges and soften completely.
- They will caramelize slightly and shrink.
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Ready when: Onions are deep golden at the edges, soft in the center, and smell caramelized
Tip: Shake every 4 minutes for even browning. Too little shaking results in steamed, pale onions.
Combine rice and toppings
- Place the room-temperature cooked rice in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour in the remaining 1.5 tablespoons (23 ml) of sesame oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and white pepper if using.
- Toss gently but thoroughly with a wooden spoon until every grain is lightly coated and no clumps remain.
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Ready when: Rice is evenly coated with oil; no dry spots visible; grains are separated
Tip: Cold or room-temperature rice breaks up easily. Hot rice will clump and not coat evenly.
Finish and serve
- Fold the hot crispy onions and all toasted sesame seeds into the oiled rice.
- Toss gently 2–3 times until the onions and seeds are evenly distributed throughout.
- Let sit for 2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Taste and add more salt if needed.
- Serve warm as a side dish.
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Ready when: Onions and seeds are evenly distributed; rice is warm and fragrant
Tip: Add the onions while they're still hot so they warm the rice gently. Fold gently to avoid breaking grains.
Good to know
Tips
- For the crispiest onions, slice them as thinly as possible—about 1/8 inch thick. Thicker slices won't caramelize fully in 14 minutes.
- Day-old refrigerated rice is far superior to fresh rice for this dish. The grains are firmer and won't clump when coated with oil.
- To make the sesame seeds extra fragrant, buy whole seeds and toast them yourself. Store-bought pre-toasted seeds lose aroma quickly.
- This dish pairs beautifully with grilled or braised proteins. Serve alongside kimchi-braised chicken, soy-glazed salmon, or stir-fried beef.
Storage & reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for 5 minutes, stirring halfway, until warmed through. Do not microwave—it will soften the crispy onions. Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the onions degrades.
Substitutions
- white sesame seeds → Black or mixed sesame seeds. Adds an earthier, slightly bitter note. Toast for the same time but check at 3 minutes, as they brown quickly.
- medium yellow onion → Shallots (2 medium shallots, thinly sliced). Sweeter and more delicate. Reduce air fry time to 12 minutes and check at 3-minute intervals to prevent overcooking.
- dark sesame oil → Neutral oil (vegetable or canola) + 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil mixed in. Stretches the sesame flavor and cost. Add the toasted oil after cooking for fresher aroma.
- cooked white rice, at room temperature → Short-grain or sushi rice. Creamier texture. Use the same weight. Day-old chilled rice is still best to prevent clumping.
