Are you searching for the one kitchen item to make meals, keep them warm, and has a easy to clean feature? Well then, a rice cooker is all you need. Yes, indeed, just a rice cooker! Rice cooker; a versatile cooking equipment is our best friend when it come to cooking rice on a daily basis. However, we can also use it to cook other delicious dishes, can’t we? Especially, when the stove in your kitchen is occupied and you need to cook other dishes, rice cooker can come to your aid. 

Whether you are planning to prepare comfort or exotic foods, a rice cooker can help you make your desired dish. The inner pot functions just like your pan and is capable of cooking different types of recipes. Everyone needs to cook more than one dish a day. Therefore, why not use the rice cooker and get multitasking. So, if your rice cooker is sitting idle, you might wonder what else can you make in a rice cooker? To help you out, we’ve created a list for your ease.


Rice cookers are helpful to make dishes starting from breakfast to dinner. If you’re thinking the sole purpose of a rice cooker is to make rice, then you might want to think again. We’ll be sharing with you below what else can you make in a rice cooker. Keep reading to find out.

1. Pancake

It’s breakfast time and you are craving a glorious stack of hot buttery pancakes topped with maple syrup and berries. A rice cooker can help you prepare it without you having to light up the stove. You only need the pancake mix or batter if you want to make it from scratch and oil. Grease the interior of the pot with oil and por in the batter once the oil is hot. Once the batter rises and becomes fluffy, take it out and add the toppings.

2. Quinoa

Enjoy a bowl of perfectly fluffy quinoa with the rice cooker. Quinoa is a healthy budget-friendly dish which is rich in protein and fiber. Preparing quinoa in the rice cooker is a rapid and easy process. You can get started with only three ingredients. At first, rinse the quinoa and then add it to the rice cooker. Pour water or broth in the cooker and cook for 30 minutes. Afterwards, give it a few minutes and fluff with a fork before serving. 

3. Oatmeal

Power up your rice cooker for some awesome oatmeal. Simmer the oatmeal in water until it becomes tender. The rice cooker automates the process and boils everything up. The contents inside the rice cooker allows it to continue steaming. So, even if you fall asleep in the middle, you will still be able to enjoy a warm breakfast.

4. Ribs

Why head out to buy expensive ribs dishes when you can cook it at home with your rice cooker? It’s a simple task. Start with seasoning the ribs with salt. Pour olive oil in the rice cooker and once it is warm, add the rib and fry it till brown. Then add stock and barbeque sauce, and cook for almost an hour. Yes, exactly! That’s how simple it is. Finally eat it with sauteed vegetables, caramelized onions, or mashed potatoes all of which can also be made in the cooker.

5. Mac and Cheese

Everyone’s favorite mac and cheese can be made in a rice cooker within minutes now. Add macaroni, broth, and milk to the pot and let it cook for 30 minutes. Mix all cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese along with some seasoning paprika, salt, and pepper into the macaroni until the cheese melts to enjoy nice crusty mac and cheese. 

6. Vegetable Frittata

Looking forward to make something with the summer vegetables. Buckle up for a creamy fluffy textured vegetable frittata. This all-in-one dish contains protein, carbohydrates and vegetables. Heat up the pan with olive oil, add garlic cloves and cook till the garlic is lightly brown. Take out the garlic, pour chopped vegetables and add salt and pepper. Discard the vegetables and add oil to the pan again. Pour eggs, cheese and season it then put in the vegetables and garlic. Eat it with a side dish of your choice or simply with ketchup.

7. Eggs

Eggs are an item we have almost every day. You can cook all sorts of egg dishes starting from hard-boiled eggs, fried eggs to omelets with a rice cooker. Stay fit and healthy and reduce your carb intake.

8. Soups

If you want to enjoy a tasty bowl of soup, a rice cooker supports that too. Soup; a soul-soothing dish can be prepared rather quickly using this appliance. Be it a hearty Thai soup, chicken soup, or tomato soup, all can be made with no trouble at all. Just add the ingredients in order and let it cook. Your soup will be made in no time.

9. Potatoes

Potato is an ingredient we all love, whether it’s mashed potatoes with steak, crispy potatoes chips, or boiled potatoes. In order to make mashed potatoes, steam the potatoes and garlic in the rice cooker and then pass through a ricer for a fine texture. Mix the smooth potatoes with cream and butter and season it. You’re all set for a yummy, creamy, and rich dish.

10.Yellow Spit Pea Dal

This classic dish can be mastered in a rice cooker. First, preheat the rice cooker for two to three minutes and then add coconut oil. Once the oil is warm, pour onion, garlic, and carrots. After sauteing the vegetables, add cumin, turmeric, and red pepper flakes. Cook for a few minutes and add four cups of water, peas, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the cooker with the lid and cook for three to four hours. Garnish the dish with cilantro and lemons.

11.  Chocolate Lava Cake

Rice cooker is great for making desserts too! A fabulous and moist chocolate cake in a rice cooker; seriously, who would’ve thought? This is great for people who don’t own an oven and can take the help of their rice cooker to continue enjoying their favorites. To get started, spray the bowl and add the cake mix ingredients and add half the chocolate frosting in the middle of the batter. It takes a couple of hours to cook. Once it’s done, flip it out of the bowl and pour the frosting over it and voila! 

12. Poached Pomegranate Pears

In this holiday, make a star dish of poached pomegranate pears. It’s absolutely flavorful. In a rice cooker, add pomegranate juice, cinnamon stick, clementine peel, apple cider, star anise, cardamon pods, cloves, and ginger. Slice pears in half and pour in the poaching liquid. Close the lid and cook for 50 minutes, then stir the pears and cook for an hour or two. Keeping check on the pears by turning them around so they don’t burn. For strong flavors, refrigerate overnight and serve with toppings of your preference.

13. Banana Bread

Want to bake your banana bread without an oven? Then follow this amazing recipe of making quick banana breads in a rice cooker. Initially make the cake batter by combining almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, granular sweetener, xanthan gum, banana, eggs, milk, butter, and salt. Pour them into the rice cooker after spraying it. The banana bread will be ready in just a few hours.

14. Pizza

Ever thought about using your rice cooker to make pizza? Well, if you are surprised and didn’t know about it all along, now is your chance to gain insights on the matter. You can cook all the mouth-watering pizzas you order from restaurants in this useful device. The first step is to make the pizza dough by adding water and yeast in a bowl and leaving it for five minutes. Then add sugar, oil, water, and flour and kneed it well. Let it rest for 10 minutes. Take portion of the dough and make it in a round pizza shape and put in in a preheated rice cooker by spraying olive oil in the base. After 10 minutes, flip the pizza dough to the other side and add oil under it, add toppings (tomato ketchup, capsicum, onions, black olives, sausages, chicken, mushrooms, mozzarella, parmesan, cheddar cheese, etc.) and allow it to cook. Your homemade pizza will be ready shortly!


Are you still wondering what else can you make in a rice cooker?   Surely by now you’ve got your answers after reading our article. One appliance can do so much and is quite affordable too. It can be your solution to making all your favorite dishes. Rather than buying different types of ovens for the dish that your rice cooker already supports, try investing your money somewhere else and put it to better use. 

Use your rice cooker to cook, experiment, and explore all the dishes that you like to have. Given the benefits of a rice cooker, you should buy this potential portable equipment to assist you in your cooking chores. If you already have one, get started on making a dish from the above list!