Just as with pasta, rice is not a candidate for the air fryer. Starting with the need to boil it, it is not a good idea. Even frozen rice dishes heat up better in a skillet than in this appliance. For perfectly cooked rice, stick to traditional methods like using a rice cooker or boiling on the stovetop. If you want to add a crispy layer to your rice, consider frying it briefly in a pan after it has been cooked.