How to Make Sticky Rice in a Rice Cooker: Water Ratio, Soaking and Mango Sticky Rice
Yes, you can make sticky rice in a rice cooker. Rinse glutinous rice until the water runs clear, add ⅔ cup of water for every cup of rice, and cook on the White Rice setting. Aroma says it takes about 20 to 30 minutes and needs no soaking.
Let it rest on Warm for a few minutes before fluffing. If you soak the rice first, use even less water, or steam it in the basket for the most traditional texture.
- Use rice labeled “glutinous”, “sticky” or “sweet” rice. Sushi rice and jasmine rice will not give the same chewy result.
- Sticky rice needs much less water than regular rice: about ⅔ cup of water per cup of rice, using the same cup for both.
- Do not use the white rice water lines. They give too much water and mushy sticky rice.
- Soaking is optional in a rice cooker but gives softer, more even grains. Soaked rice needs even less water.
- Use a “Sweet rice” or “Sticky” setting if your cooker has one.
Can you make sticky rice in a rice cooker?
Yes. Traditional Thai and Lao sticky rice is soaked for hours and steamed in a bamboo basket. A rice cooker can make it with far less effort, and you can choose whether to soak.
Aroma, which makes many of the rice cookers sold in the US, says no soaking or steaming is needed in its cookers. You simply reduce the water and cook on the White Rice setting.
Which rice to use
Sticky rice is a specific type of rice, also called glutinous rice or sweet rice. Aroma notes that it has a higher starch content than regular rice, which gives it the chewy, sticky texture. It contains no gluten despite the name.
| Rice | Result in a rice cooker |
|---|---|
| Thai or Lao glutinous rice (long-grain sticky) | Classic chewy sticky rice for mango sticky rice and larb |
| Short-grain glutinous rice (mochigome) | Very sticky; good for Chinese and Japanese dishes |
| Black or purple glutinous rice | Nutty and chewy; needs soaking and more water |
| Sushi or short-grain rice | Soft and clingy, but not true sticky rice |
| Jasmine rice | Fluffy and fragrant; not sticky |
Sticky rice to water ratio for a rice cooker
Use the same cup to measure both rice and water. The ratio is what matters, not the cup size.
| Method | Water per 1 cup of sticky rice | Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Unsoaked (Aroma method) | ⅔ cup | White Rice, about 20 to 30 minutes |
| Soaked 1 to 4 hours, drained | About ½ cup | White Rice or Sweet Rice |
| Soaked overnight, steamed in basket | Water only under the basket | Steam, about 20 to 25 minutes |
Aroma notes that rice soaked for an hour absorbs about a third of its weight in water. That is why soaked sticky rice needs less water in the pot.
How to make sticky rice in a rice cooker
- Measure. Measure the sticky rice with your rice cooker cup.
- Rinse. Rinse under cold water, rubbing gently, until the water runs clear. This removes loose starch that makes it gluey.
- Soak (optional). For softer grains, cover with water for 1 to 4 hours, then drain well.
- Add water. Add ⅔ cup of water per cup of unsoaked rice, or about ½ cup if soaked. Level the rice.
- Cook. Choose White Rice, or Sweet Rice if your cooker has it. It switches to Warm when done.
- Rest and fluff. Leave it on Warm for 5 to 10 minutes, then gently fold it with a wet paddle.
Steaming sticky rice in the rice cooker basket
For the most traditional texture, soak the rice for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain it, line the steamer basket with cheesecloth or a banana leaf, spread the rice out, and steam over 2 cups of water.
Steam for about 20 to 25 minutes, flip the rice halfway through, and check it is soft and translucent all the way through. Add more water to the pot if the cooker runs dry.
Thai mango sticky rice in a rice cooker
- Cook the rice. Make 1 cup of sticky rice using the method above.
- Make the coconut sauce. Warm 1 cup of coconut milk with 3 to 4 tablespoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt until dissolved. Do not boil.
- Soak the rice. Pour about two-thirds of the sauce over the hot rice, stir gently, cover and leave for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve. Plate with sliced ripe mango and spoon the rest of the sauce over the top. Add toasted sesame seeds if you like.
Aroma also publishes its own mango sticky rice recipe for its rice cookers.
Mixing sticky rice with other rice
You can mix sticky rice with medium-grain or brown rice to make it slightly sticky but less chewy. Rinse both together and use the water for the main rice type, then reduce it by about 2 tablespoons for each ½ cup of sticky rice.
Brown rice takes longer than sticky rice, so use the Brown Rice setting and soak the mix for an hour first for even results.
Fixing common problems
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Mushy or wet | Too much water, often from using the white rice lines | Use ⅔ cup water per cup; less if soaked |
| Hard or chalky centers | Too little water or not soaked | Sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons water and cook again; soak next time |
| Gluey, pasty texture | Not rinsed enough | Rinse until the water runs clear |
| Crust on the bottom | Left too long on Warm | Fluff and serve within 30 minutes |
Frequently asked questions
Can you make sticky rice in a regular rice cooker?
Yes. Use glutinous rice, about ⅔ cup of water per cup of rice, and the White Rice or Cook setting. You do not need a special setting.
What is the sticky rice to water ratio in a rice cooker?
About 1 cup of rice to ⅔ cup of water if unsoaked, and about 1 to ½ if soaked, using the same cup for both.
Do you have to soak sticky rice before cooking in a rice cooker?
No. Aroma says soaking is not needed in its rice cookers. Soaking for 1 to 4 hours gives softer, more even grains, so reduce the water if you do.
How do I make regular rice sticky in a rice cooker?
You cannot turn jasmine or long-grain rice into true sticky rice. Short-grain or sushi rice, rinsed lightly and cooked with slightly less water, gives a clingy texture.
How long does sticky rice take in a rice cooker?
About 20 to 30 minutes on White Rice, plus 5 to 10 minutes of resting. Steaming soaked sticky rice in the basket takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
The bottom line
Sticky rice is easy in a rice cooker: rinse glutinous rice, use about ⅔ cup of water per cup, and cook on White Rice. Soak first for softer grains, and serve it with mango and coconut for a classic dessert.
Not sure how big your rice cooker cup is? See our rice cooker measuring cup guide.
- Aroma Housewares, Rice Cooker Hacks for Sticky Rice.
- Aroma Housewares, What’s the Real Rice Cup Size? (soaking and water absorption).
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