Air Fryer Sticky Rice Patties | Khao Jee
Khao jee is a beloved Lao dish rooted in Laos’s deep love of sticky rice. These sticky rice patties have a chewy, mochi-like texture and are filled with savory pork floss. The outside is seasoned with fish sauce, lemongrass, and other aromatic ingredients, then crisped to perfection. This version uses the air fryer to make the patties lighter while still flavorful and satisfying. Enjoy them on their own or dipped in jeow bong.
- Prep time
- 10 min
- Cook time
- 35 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 cups sticky rice
- 1⅓ cups water, boiling
- ¼ cup lemongrass, chopped
- 3 bird’s eye chili peppers, whole
- 4 garlic cloves, whole
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp padaek
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- ½ tsp MSG
- ¼ cup sticky rice flour
- 1 tbsp pork floss per patty
- Oil spray, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 4 minutes.
- 2
Rinse the sticky rice 3 times with room-temperature water. Drain well and transfer to a 6½-inch diameter × 2½-inch tall heat-proof round cake pan.
- 3
Pour the boiling water into the pan, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and place in the preheated air fryer. Cook at 350°F for 20 minutes.
- 4
Remove from the air fryer and let the rice steam, still covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the foil, transfer the rice to a large bowl, and let it cool to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
- 5
While the rice cools, make the batter. In a mortar, add the lemongrass, chili peppers, and garlic. Pound into a paste. Add the egg, padaek, fish sauce, and MSG, then mix well. Add the sticky rice flour and mix until smooth.
- 6
Divide the rice into 100-gram portions (about 6 bundles total).
- 7
Knead each rice portion a few times until it reaches a mochi-like texture. Flatten slightly, place 1 tablespoon of pork floss in the center, then close and seal the edges. Lightly spray with oil and gently compress into a patty with your hands.
- 8
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 4 minutes. Place the patties in the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 4 minutes.
- 9
Remove the patties, dunk them into the batter, then return them to the air fryer. Cook again at 400°F for 4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until charred and golden.
- 10
Serve warm and enjoy as is or with jeow bong.