Quick Crispy Rice Salad with Peanut Sesame Dressing Recipe
This Quick Crispy Rice Salad with Peanut Sesame Dressing is a vibrant, crunchy, and flavorful dish featuring air-fried or oven-baked crispy jasmine rice clusters combined with fresh shredded cabbage, cucumbers, bell pepper, carrots, sugar snap peas, and green onions. Tossed in a creamy and tangy peanut sesame dressing with a hint of chili heat, this salad delivers a perfect balance of textures and bold Asian-inspired flavors, ideal for a refreshing lunch or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes (air fryer) or 40 minutes (oven)
- Total Time: 33 minutes (air fryer) or 55 minutes (oven)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Crispy Rice
- 2 cups cooked jasmine rice (preferably day-old)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp chili crisp
Dressing
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp peanut butter or tahini
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp chili crisp
- 1/2 inch piece ginger, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Salad
- 3 cups shredded cabbage (mix of green and red)
- 1 cup sliced cucumber
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot, grated or julienned
- 1/2 cup chopped sugar snap peas
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven or Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer or oven to 400°F (200°C). Line the air fryer tray, basket, or a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare and Bake the Crispy Rice: In a large bowl, combine the day-old cooked jasmine rice with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari, and 1 tablespoon chili crisp. Mix thoroughly until the rice is evenly coated and takes on a uniform color. Spread the seasoned rice mixture in an even, thin layer over the prepared parchment. For best texture, keep some rice clusters together to yield crispy clumps after baking. Bake in the air fryer for 16-18 minutes or in the oven for 40 minutes, until golden brown and crisp.
- Prepare the Dressing: While the rice is baking, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons peanut butter or tahini, 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons chili crisp, and the grated ginger. Whisk until completely smooth and emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, add a bit of extra lime juice at the end for extra brightness.
- Cool and Break Apart the Crispy Rice: Once the rice is golden brown and crisp, remove it from the oven or air fryer and let it cool slightly. Break the crispy rice into small clumps with your hands for varied texture throughout the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, add 3 cups shredded mix of green and red cabbage, 1 cup sliced cucumber, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1 grated or julienned medium carrot, 1/2 cup chopped sugar snap peas, 2 sliced green onions, and the crispy rice pieces from Step 4. Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the top.
- Toss, Season, and Garnish: Toss everything together to combine thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and crunch. Add a generous handful for a perfect nutty finish.
Notes
- Use day-old cooked jasmine rice for best texture and easier crisping.
- Adjust the amount of chili crisp in the rice and dressing according to your preferred spice level.
- For a nut-free option, substitute peanut butter with tahini and omit chili crisp if it contains nuts.
- Leftover crispy rice can be stored in an airtight container and re-crisped in the oven or air fryer before serving.
- Add fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for an extra burst of freshness if desired.
Keywords: crispy rice salad, peanut sesame dressing, asian salad, air fryer rice, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, crunchy salad, quick salad, chili crisp dressing
