Can You Cook Eggs in a Rice Cooker?

It may sound odd, but can you cook eggs in a rice cooker, safely? Yes, you can that’s because most rice cookers come with a steaming tray, and most people just forget to use it. That steaming tray can be used for all sorts of cooking, but cooking eggs is one of the tastiest options for sure. Granted, you’ll need a steamer tray to do this, but it’s pretty easy.

You can make soft and hard-boiled, scrambled, poached, or steamed eggs in your rice cooker and soon you are experimenting with rice cooker frittata before you know it. You will soon see why cooking eggs in a rice cooker is not only easier than boiling them in water with a pot, but it is even much more efficient. We’d even argue that you should always cook your eggs in a rice cooker if you can.

Why Cook Eggs in a Rice Cooker?

OK, so maybe you can cook eggs in a rice cooker. But why would you want to? What’s the point? What do you get out of it as opposed to cooking eggs the normal way, such as with a pot of boiling water? Well, the cooking process in a rice cooker is less chaotic, because the eggs themselves are not thrown around by the boiling water of a pot.

This means the shells are less likely to crack during cooking, which means your eggs are going to come out much prettier. That might not sound important, but consider the fact that you need such a situation for deviled eggs, hard boiled eggs, eggs intended for Easter, and much more. All in all, it’s better to have an egg that doesn’t break.

Moreover, with the eggs cooking more evenly due to being able to sit still instead of being tossed around, it’s easier to cook them in an even manner. This means you can acquire the doneness you want for your egg with more ease, so you don’t have to worry about getting gray egg whites around your yolk as much.

Being able to cook your eggs in a more controlled, gentle environment goes a long way in providing consistently amazing eggs every single time you cook them. That alone is a good reason to pick a rice cooker over any other option for cooking eggs.

How Do You Actually Cook Eggs in a Rice Cooker?

The good news is, that the process is straightforward and doesn’t require much work from you at all. In fact, it’s practically as easy as boiling water. All you have to do is fill your rice cooker pot with enough water, place your eggs on the steamer basket, and place that tray in the water. Close the lid, turn on your rice cooker, and set the timer.

That’s quite literally all there is to it. You just have to set the timer appropriately for the type of eggs you want. When the timer goes off, immediately remove the eggs and place them in ice water to halt the cooking process as quickly as possible. After a minute or so, you can start cracking those shells and get down to business.

As for how long you should cook your eggs in a rice cooker, it varies depending on your rice cooker, since they come in many sizes. The amount of water and the number of eggs will be variables that affect cooking time as well, so you may have to try this cooking method a few times before you actually get the desired result to be perfect.

That said, there are some approximate cooking times you can try for the type of egg you want. If you want a hard-boiled egg, try twenty minutes. If you want a soft-boiled egg, try 13 to 15, depending on whether you want it to be runnier or a little more solid. You can use these times as a reference and make adjustments as needed.

Pro Tip: Steamed eggs are easier to peel than eggs that are boiled in water. So if you choose not to cook eggs in a rice cooker you can use a steamer basket inside a pot on the stovetop to achieve the same result.

Hard Boiled Eggs in a Rice Cooker

You’ll Need

• Electric rice cooker
• Fresh eggs (I cooked 8)
• 1/2 to 1 cup of water
• Kitchen cooking timer
• Slotted spoon
• Ice bath in a large bowl

Instructions

Use the following steps for hard boil eggs or the sunny side every time;

• Add cold water, no need to heat water
• Place the steam tray inside the inner pot, and gently place eggs on the tray
• Close the rice cooker lid
• If using a standard rice cooker turn on the cook setting and set your timer to your preferred cooking time. 13 to 20 minutes
• When eggs are cooked, eggs should be placed in a bowl of ice water
• Leave them to cool for approximately 1 minute
• Peel the eggshell, and serve with a little salt and black pepper

Pro-Tip: If you are using a newer model rice cooker it is as easy as selecting the rice cooker’s steam function.

Scrambled Eggs in a Rice Cooker

Why would you scramble eggs in a rice cooker? You may not have access to a cooktop while RVing, in the dorm, or traveling for business. Small rice cookers are compact, easy to travel with, and keep clean along with the ability to make healthy meals while traveling.

You’ll Need

• Electric rice cooker
• Spatula (silicone or wooden)
• Eggs
• Cream or milk
• Salt and pepper
• Cooking spray, butter, or oil (optional)

Instructions

Use the following steps for rice cooker scrambled eggs;

• Whisk egg, cream/milk, and salt & pepper
• If using butter or oil coat the rice cooker pot
• Add egg mixture and replace the lid
• Turn on the COOK setting and time for 3 1/2 minutes
• Remove lid and gently move eggs around until cooked and scrambled as desired
• If not ready to serve, turn the rice cooker to the ‘WARM’ setting, Beware not to let your scramble overcook or dry out
• Serve and enjoy!

Pro Tip: During the cooking time with a rice cooker if you feel the pot is getting too hot or making your dish stick turn the cooker to the ‘KEEP WARM’ setting to cool it down. You can always revert back to the ‘COOK’ setting when required.

Poached Eggs in a Rice Cooker

Why you might want to poach eggs in a rice cooker.

• For one, the rice cooker is likely to keep the eggs at a more consistent temperature than if you were to poach them on the stovetop. This means that you’re less likely to end up with overcooked or undercooked eggs.
• Additionally, using a rice cooker can help to keep the water at the perfect poaching temperature, which can make it easier to get perfectly cooked eggs.
• Finally, using a rice cooker can be less messy than other methods of poaching eggs since you don’t have to worry about them splattering all over the place.

You’ll Need

• Electric rice cooker
• Ramekins
• Eggs
• 1/2 cup water
• Salt and pepper
• Butter or oil

Instructions

Easy poached eggs every time with the following steps;

• Grease ramekins with butter or oil
• Crack an egg into each ramekin
• Cover the rice cooker with the lid
• Turn on the COOK setting and time for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes
• Place each ramekin on a plate serve with your favorite condiments and enjoy!

Pro Tip: Always use silicone or other utensils that will not scratch the cooking pot of your rice cooker.

Rice Cooker Fritatta or Omelet

You might be wondering why anyone would want to make a frittata in a rice cooker. There are a few reasons.

• First, if you have a rice cooker with a heat-proof bowl, you can make your frittata without having to worry about it sticking to the pot or becoming tough.
• Second, the even heat of the rice cooker helps to cook the eggs evenly, so you don’t have to worry about them becoming rubbery or dry.
• Finally, it’s just one less pan to wash!

Making a frittata in a rice cooker is really very simple. Just whisk together your eggs and add in whatever fillings you like. I like to use diced ham, cheese, and vegetables.

You’ll Need

• Electric rice cooker
• Spatula (silicone)
• Eggs
• Cream or milk
• Bacon, ham, or protein of choice
• Vegetables chopped into small pieces: mushrooms, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, beans, peas, onions, shallots, garlic, ginger…
• Salt and pepper
• Butter or oil (optional)

Instructions

Use the following steps for your unique frittata or omelet in a rice cooker;

• Whisk egg, cream/milk, and salt & pepper. Set aside
• Coat the rice cooker pot with butter or oil
• Add vegetables, cover, and cook until soft – 3 to 5 minutes. You can stir or add extra oil to avoid sticking if required
• Add whisked eggs, replace the lid, and cook for 10 minutes
• Remove the lid and check the cooking progress, replace the lid and cook until firm
• Either remove frittata in one piece or slice and serve and enjoy!

Can You Cook Eggs in a Rice Cooker Without a Steamer Tray?

Technically, you could do this, but we don’t really recommend it. Doing so would not be all that different from just boiling the eggs in a pot with water, and it might not be great for your rice cooker either. The process is heavily dependent on steaming, always check the cooker’s user manual, so having a steamer tray is definitely recommended. Most rice cookers come with one.

If your rice cooker does not come with a steamer tray, you can probably buy one that fits it in a store or online. If you have yet to buy a rice cooker, we recommend selecting one that comes with a steamer tray to avoid this problem entirely. Besides, there are many other things you can cook besides eggs with a steamer tray and rice cooker.

Cook Eggs in a Rice Cooker Without a Steamer Tray

You’ll Need

• Electric rice cooker
• Fresh eggs (I cooked 8)
• 1/2 to 1 cup of water
• Kitchen cooking timer
• Slotted spoon
• Ice bath in a large bowl

Instructions

Use the following steps for the best boil eggs or sunny side up every time;

• Add water
• Place eggs in the water
• Close the rice cooker lid
• If using a standard rice cooker turn on the cook setting and set your timer to your preferred cooking time. 13 to 20 minutes
• When cooked, place the eggs in a bowl of iced water
• Leave them to cool for approximately 1 minute
• Peel the egg shells, and serve with a little salt and black pepper

What Condiments Can You Serve With Rice Cooker Eggs?

There are endless possibilities when it comes to condiments for your rice cooker eggs or frittata.

Try serving your eggs with;

• salsa
• guacamole
• sour cream
• pico de gallo
• hot sauce
• chimichurri sauce
• ketchup
• relish
• diced avocado
• drizzle of olive oil
• shredded cheese
• toasted bread or tortillas
• breakfast potatoes
• salad
• steamed vegetables

What is the Safest Temperature to Cook Eggs?

To ensure food safety, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends cooking eggs until both the yolk and white are firm. The FDA recommends cooking eggs to an internal temperature of 160°F to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

Temperature Chart for Cooking Eggs

Types of Cooked Eggs	Temperature
Egg whites – omelets and meringue	149°F
Poached eggs	158°F
Scrambled eggs	158°F
Fried eggs over easy and hard	158°F
Hard-boiled eggs	160°F
Eggs cooked with liquids like milk or cream – frittatas, quiches, omelets, custard (baked and stirred), eggnog, ice cream, casseroles, french toast	160°F

Read more about egg safety and get a helpful download at the FDA website.

Pro Tip: There are many types of rice cookers and if a rice cooker is what you are looking to buy and you want a great way to save money, why not consider a multi-functional rice cooker? An electric cooker like this operates in different ways like a pressure cooker, and slow cooker, along with other multi-functions. You could be enjoying a delicious meal of whole chicken, deep-fried foods, and steamed green beans all in a smart rice cooker.

FAQs

Can you cook an egg with rice in a rice cooker?

Yes, you can cook an egg with rice in a rice cooker. Pour a raw egg over steamed your rice after the cooking time has ended and the rice cooker switches to the keep warm setting. Replace the rice cooker’s lid and leave for a couple of minutes or until the egg is cooked to your liking.

Can you cook anything else in a rice cooker?

Yes, you can cook a variety of things in a rice cooker, such as oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, chili, ribs, quinoa, rice cooker pancakes, and even cake!

Resource: How to Cook Rice in a Microwave Rice Cooker

Finally: Can You Cook Eggs in a Rice Cooker?

All in all, cooking eggs has always been easy, but with a rice cooker, it’s quite literally about as easy as it can get.

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!