Ninja Speedi White Rice

Cooking white rice in the Ninja Speedi is just as easy as cooking it in a rice cooker. Once you add the rice and liquid, the Speedi takes over and does the rest. No watching the pan, no worrying about it boiling over, and in 15 minutes, you’ll have perfectly fluffy rice ready to serve.

It’s an easy way to get reliable results, whether you’re making rice to go with a curry, a stir fry, or as part of a one-pot meal.

What You Need

Basmati Rice – I used 300g of dry basmati rice, which makes about 4 generous servings. You can swap in other white rice like long grain if you prefer.

Liquid (Stock or Water) – 600ml of chicken stock, vegetable stock, or just plain water. Stock adds a little extra flavour, but water works perfectly too.

Making It

Start by rinsing the rice under cold water. You don’t need to be too precise, just give it a good swish around until the water isn’t too cloudy, this helps stop the rice sticking together. I just rinse the rice directly in the Ninja Speedi pot.

Pour in your stock or water, and give everything a little stir so the grains are spread out evenly.

Now it’s time to set the Speedi. Flick the SmartSwitch over to Rapid Cooker, choose Steam, and set the timer for 10 minutes. Close the lid and let it do its thing.

When the timer beeps, lift the lid and you’ll be greeted with perfectly cooked rice. Fluff it up with a fork and it’s ready to serve.

Can I Make More Or Less?

Yes, just keep the same ratio of 2 parts liquid to 1 part rice. So if you use 200g of rice, add 400ml of liquid. For 400g rice, use 800ml liquid.

How Does The Ninja Speedi Cook Rice?

The Ninja Speedi cooks rice using steam. Once you add the rice and liquid, the machine quickly heats the water to produce steam, which surrounds the rice and cooks it evenly. Because the lid stays closed during cooking, the moisture is sealed in, giving you fluffy, perfectly cooked grains without having to stir or keep an eye on the pot.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes rice doesn’t quite turn out as planned. Here are a few common issues and fixes:

• Rice is stodgy – This usually means too much liquid. Stick to the 2:1 liquid-to-rice ratio and make sure you’re measuring accurately.
• Rice is sticking to the base – Try giving the rice a quick stir before starting the cook. Also, make sure to rinse the rice well, as excess starch can cause sticking.
• Rice too firm – It may need a splash more liquid. Next time, add an extra 50ml and cook for another 2–3 minutes.
• Rice too soft – Use slightly less liquid next time, or reduce the cook time by a couple of minutes.

Other Ninja Speedi Rice Dishes

Once you’ve mastered plain basmati rice, there are lots of variations you can try in the Speedi:

• Coconut rice – Replace half the water with coconut milk for a creamy, fragrant side.
• Pilau rice – Add spices like turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon with a few peas or chopped vegetables.
• Mexican-style rice – Stir in some passata, paprika, and chilli powder for a spicy twist.
• Lemon rice – A squeeze of lemon juice and some zest added at the end for a fresh flavour.
• Garlic butter rice – Stir through a knob of butter and a clove of minced garlic after cooking.

Other Ninja Speedi Functions You Can Use To Cook Rice

The Steam setting is the simplest way to make plain rice in the Ninja Speedi, but it’s not the only option. You can also cook rice as part of a Speedi Meal, where the rice cooks in the base of the pot while meat or vegetables cook above it on the tray. This lets you make complete meals in around 15–20 minutes, with the rice absorbing all the flavours from the stock and seasonings you add.

You can also use the Sear/Sauté function first if you want to toast spices or lightly fry onions before adding the rice and liquid, which works well for pilau-style dishes.

If you’re short on time, the Rapid Cooker > Steam Air Fry function can be used for recipes where rice is cooked alongside saucier ingredients, though for plain, fluffy rice, Steam remains the most reliable setting.

👉 Check out more Ninja Speedi Recipes