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How to Cook Sticky Rice in a Rice Cooker

By: Megan•Posted: 29/08/2025 •Updated: 29/08/2025

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Prep 5 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
Total 25 minutes

Learn how to make sticky rice in a rice cooker in under 30 minutes! No need to pre-soak the rice for hours using this foolproof method.

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How to Cook Sticky Rice in a Rice Cooker

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How to Cook Sticky Rice in a Rice Cooker

The rice cooker is the ultimate kitchen appliance for cooking perfectly sticky, glutinous rice every time. I love using a rice cooker to make sticky rice because you can skip pre-soaking the rice for hours and just rinse the rice, add water, and that’s it!

This method is the best way to cook sticky rice if you are short on time and craving bouncy, sticky rice. Sticky rice is incredibly versatile and can be used for both savory and sweet dishes, such as mango sticky rice or banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake).

Table of contents

What is Sticky Rice?

Sticky rice, also known as sweet rice or glutinous rice, is a high-starch-content type of rice that, when cooked, yields a slightly sweet, sticky, glue-like texture. It is traditionally cooked in a steamer, but that requires soaking overnight for even cooking. It is a staple ingredient in many Asian cuisines, particularly in Southeast Asia.

Sticky rice can have both long-grain and short-grain varieties. It can be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even in desserts. Vietnamese cuisine typically serves sticky rice for breakfast with toppings such as peanuts, Chinese sausage, or pork floss.

This recipe is for white sticky rice or glutinous rice. Be sure not to confuse it with sushi rice, since that is an entirely different dish altogether.

How to Cook Sticky Rice in a Rice Cooker

Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to cook sticky rice in a rice cooker.

  1. Measure the rice with a measuring cup and add rice to the rice cooker pot.
  1. Rinse the rice using cold tap water. Pour out the white water and repeat 3-4 times or until the water is mostly clear. Drain the water completely.
  1. Add the filtered water, and salt if using, then place the rice in the rice cooker, close the lid and hit start or cook according to your rice cooker’s manual instructions.
  1. The rice cooker will notify you when the rice is done. Fluff the rice with a rice spatula. Serve immediately.

Expert Tips

  • Rinse the rice. Washing the rice is crucial for removing the excess starch on the sticky rice. Removing the starch will prevent the rice from becoming too gummy and sticky when cooked in a rice cooker.
  • Use a 1:1 ratio. The ideal water to rice ratio is 1:1. For every 1 cup of sticky rice, use 1 cup of water.
  • Add salt for flavor. A pinch of salt will enhance the flavor of the sticky rice.

Storage Instructions

You can store the sticky rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator once it has cooled to room temperature for up to 5 days.

Reheat: sprinkle a few drops of water over the rice and cover with a damp paper towel and microwave in 30 second increments until warm.

Pairing Suggestions

Sticky rice can be paired with just about anything for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I’ve listed some pairing suggestions for you below.

FAQ

What is the ratio for sticky rice in a rice cooker?

For sticky rice, the water to rice ratio in a rice cooker is 1:1. So for every 1 cup of sticky rice, you should add 1 cup of water.

Do I need to soak the sticky rice?

No! When you cook the sticky rice in a rice cooker, you do not need to soak it overnight. The only crucial step is to rinse the rice to remove the excess starch to prevent the rice from becoming too gummy.

Is sweet rice, sticky rice and glutinous rice the same?

Yes! Sweet rice, sticky rice and glutinous rice are the same thing. They just have different names that both describe the slightly sweet, sticky, glue-like texture of the rice when cooked.

Is glutinous rice gluten free?

Yes, despite the name, glutinous rice is made with white rice and is entirely gluten-free.

Additional Sticky Rice Recipes to Try

Sticky Rice in a Rice Cooker Recipe

How to Cook Sticky Rice in a Rice Cooker

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Learn how to make sticky rice in a rice cooker in under 30 minutes! No need to pre-soak the rice for hours using this foolproof method.
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Measure the rice. Measure the rice with a traditional measuring cup and add it to the rice cooker pot.
  • Wash the rice. Rinse the rice using cold tap water. Use your hand to move the rice around and clean the grains. Pour out the white water and repeat 3-4 times or until the water is mostly clear. You can also wash the rice in a fine mesh sieve. Be sure to drain the water completely.
  • Cook the rice. Add the filtered water and salt if using, then place the rice in the rice cooker, close the lid, and hit start or cook according to your rice cooker’s manual instructions. If your rice cooker has a sweet rice function, use that. Do not lift the lid until the rice is done cooking.
  • Fluff and serve. The rice cooker will notify you when the rice is done. Open the lid and fluff the rice with a rice spatula. Be careful, the steam will vent out quickly. Serve immediately.

Notes

See the Expert Tips section for more guidance.

Equipment

Nutrition:

Calories: 362kcal | Carbohydrates: 80g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 161mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 3g | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 2mg

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