Leftover fried rice is one of those foods that never seems to hit quite the same the next day. It’s either too dry, too mushy or just doesn’t reheat evenly, leaving you with a sad second-day meal. I used to dread opening the fridge and seeing that takeout box staring back at me, but that all changed when I discovered this incredible recipe shared by The Baker Mama, Maegan Brown.
Brown’s Crispy Leftover Fried Rice Waffles completely transform those cold leftovers into something crispy, savory and so satisfying. Serve them for breakfast, brunch or heat up the waffle iron for a fun breakfast-for-dinner. Here’s what you need to know.
Related:How to Make Fried Rice That Tastes Like It Came From Benihana
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How to Turn Leftover Fried Rice Into Fried Rice Waffles
There’s no flipping or frying here—just a waffle maker and a few minutes of your time. This clever trick is simple and satisfying. When you press the rice into a waffle iron, it gets perfectly crisp on the outside while staying tender on the inside, almost like a savory rice cake, and because it’s bound together with an egg, it holds its shape beautifully and gets a little protein boost in the process.
To make this recipe, you’ll need a cup of leftover fried rice, a large egg (beaten) and a teaspoon of soy sauce.
For the toppings, you will need one fried egg (runny is best), sriracha and chopped green onions.
Preheat your waffle maker before you use it. Brown uses a round waffle maker, which makes one 6.5-inch-wide waffle, but you can use what you have. Just adjust the ingredients or the yield as needed.
In a bowl, mix together the leftover fried rice, beaten egg and soy sauce until it’s well combined. Spray your hot waffle iron generously with non-stick spray on both sides. Spread the rice mixture onto the bottom plate of the waffle maker, making sure to cover it as evenly as possible.
Close the lid and let it cook for about five minutes, or until the waffle is browned and crispy. Be careful when opening the iron, as the rice might pop or sizzle a bit.
Top it off with a fried egg, a bit of sriracha and a sprinkle of green onions, and just like that, you’ve transformed your leftovers into a fun next-day meal.
Related: The Chinese Way to Make Fried Rice 10x Better
Why This Works So Well And How to Make This Recipe Your Own
The egg in the mixture does more than just help the rice stick together. It adds richness and protein, making the waffle more filling. The soy sauce adds more umami and the waffle iron’s heat creates crispy edges and texture that the microwave could never achieve.
What makes this hack even better is how easy it is to customize if you want to change it up. Add in a splash of sesame oil, toss in a few chopped veggies if you have them or top it with avocado. You can even use cauliflower fried rice if you’re trying to go low-carb.
And if spice isn’t your thing, skip the sriracha and try a drizzle of hoisin sauce or even a bit of sweet chili sauce. This waffle is your blank canvas and once you try it, you may start ordering extra fried rice just to have an excuse to play around with this fun technique.
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