Dehydrated Rice

Step 1:

Rinse 1 cup of basmati rice under cold running water until the water runs mostly clear. This removes excess starch and helps the grains cook evenly. Agitating the rice under the water will help this process go faster.

Add the rinsed rice to a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12–15 minutes until the rice is tender and cooked. Remove from heat and allow the rice to rest for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Once cooked, weigh the rice and record the prepared weight (or determine the "cup" measurement before dehydration.

Step 2:

Spread the cooked rice in a thin, even layer on dehydrator trays lined with solid fruit leather sheets, parchment paper, or nonstick silicon mesh liners if needed. Break up any clumps so the grains are separated as much as possible.

Chef Tip: After cooking, you can refrigerate the rice until completely cooled before spreading it on the dehydrator trays. Chilled rice firms up and separates more easily, making it much easier to spread in an even layer. Warm rice tends to be sticky and can clump together, which slows the drying process. This is the same principle used when preparing rice for fried rice dishes.

Keeping the rice in a thin layer allows air to circulate properly and helps the rice dry evenly.

Step 3:

Dry the rice at 150°F (65°C) for approximately 4–6 hours, or until the grains are completely dry and hard.

Drying time will vary depending on tray load, humidity, and airflow in the dehydrator. Properly dried rice should feel firm and brittle with no soft or cool spots when fully cooled.

Step 4:

Remove the trays from the dehydrator and allow the rice to cool completely to room temperature. Once cooled, weigh the dried rice and record the finished weight.

For this batch, the dried rice weighed 188 g (6.6 oz) and measured about 2.5 cups.

Step 5:

Store the dehydrated rice in an airtight container or sealed bag in a cool, dark place. For longer storage, vacuum sealing is recommended to prevent moisture from entering the rice.

To use, add boiling water, stir, cover, and let the rice stand until tender. Rehydration time may vary slightly depending on the rice variety and how dry the rice became during dehydration.