Our crispy rice veggie bowl delivers a flavorful, filling meal packed with nourishing and comforting ingredients. With golden, pan-crisped jasmine rice, fresh vegetables, edamame, and a creamy peanut sauce, this dish is a fantastic example of how simple ingredients come together into a protein rich vegan rice bowl.
Try this recipe for an easy meatless weeknight dinner, a healthy lunch, or a customizable bowl for meal prep. This crispy rice bowl recipe is a healthy choice.
What sets this vegetable rice bowl apart is the texture contrast. Cold, cooked rice is pan-fried until deeply golden and crunchy on the bottom while remaining tender inside. Pair it with crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, edamame, and a savory peanut sauce for a satisfying meal.
This crispy rice veggie bowl with peanut sauce is deeply satisfying without feeling heavy. It is also entirely dairy-free and easily adaptable for gluten-free diets, making it an excellent plant based rice bowl for a wide range of eaters.
For a Spicier Version of peanut sauce try our Peanut Sauce Over Thai Noodles.
Why Crispy Rice Makes This Bowl Special
Crispy rice is the heart of this dish. Using cold, cooked rice is essential because it allows excess moisture to evaporate quickly, creating that signature crunchy layer. Jasmine rice works particularly well due to its natural aroma and slightly sticky texture, but brown jasmine rice adds extra fiber and nutrients if you prefer a whole-grain option. This technique is commonly used in Asian-inspired rice bowls, where texture is just as important as flavor.
Tip: For best results, press the rice firmly into the skillet and resist the urge to stir too early. Letting it cook undisturbed ensures a deeply golden crust. This method transforms a simple grain into a multi textured crispy rice bowl with vegetables that is both filling and satisfying.
Health Benefits of This Plant-Based Crispy Rice Bowl
This healthy crispy rice bowl offers several nutritional benefits thanks to its whole-food ingredients.
Key health highlights include:
- Edamame: Offers a complete plant protein that provides essential amino acids, fiber, iron, and folate. Edamame supports muscle health and helps keep you full longer.
- Purple cabbage: Rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which are linked to reduced inflammation and improved heart health.
- Avocado: A source of healthy monounsaturated fats that support cardiovascular health and help the body absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
- Peanut butter: Contains healthy fats, plant-based protein, and magnesium, which supports energy production and muscle function.
- Cucumber and bell pepper: Hydrating, low-calorie vegetables that provide vitamin C and support immune health.
- Jasmine or brown jasmine rice: Provides sustained energy and, when paired with fiber and protein, helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
This plant based crispy rice bowl includes several ingredients known to support reduced inflammation. Fresh vegetables, healthy fats from avocado and peanuts, and plant proteins contribute to an overall anti-inflammatory eating pattern. If you need to limit salt in your diet, substitute Tamari for the soy sauce. All the fiber-rich vegetables, crispy rice and healthy fats make this dish a smart choice for a healthy weeknight bowl.
Cooking Tips for Perfect Crispy Rice
Tips for getting the ideal texture in a few simple tips:
- Always use cold, cooked rice. Fresh rice contains too much moisture and will steam instead of crisp.
- Use a wide skillet so the rice can spread into an even layer.
- Press the rice down gently with a spatula and let it cook undisturbed.
- Medium-high heat is ideal to create crispness without burning.
- Flip the rice in large sections rather than stirring to maintain texture.
These small steps make a big difference in creating a truly irresistible crispy jasmine rice base.
Variations and Customizations
One of the best things about this veggie bowl recipe is how adaptable it is.
Easy variations include:
- Swap peanut butter for almond or cashew butter in the sauce.
- Add roasted sweet potatoes or carrots for extra warmth and natural sweetness.
- Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free rice bowl.
- Add fresh hot chili peppers or chili oil for a bit of zing in your bowl.
- Top with sesame seeds or green onions, cilantro or other favorite additions for added flavor and eye catching pop.
This recipe also works beautifully as a rice bowl with edamame and peanut sauce served family-style. Set the ingredients in bowls out on a side board and let everyone build their own bowl.
Storage and Leftovers
For best texture, this crispy rice veggie bowl is best enjoyed fresh. However, leftovers can still be delicious with a few adjustments.
- Store rice and vegetables separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
- Reheat rice in a skillet to restore some crispness.
- Keep peanut sauce refrigerated for up to 5 days; thin with warm water if needed.
This makes the recipe a great option for meal prep, even if the rice loses some of its initial crunch.
A Simple, Nourishing Vegan Dinner
This quick and easy vegan rice bowl dinner proves that plant-based meals can be both comforting and exciting. With bold flavors, vibrant vegetables, and satisfying textures, this vegetable rice bowl with peanut sauce is ideal for anyone looking to add more meatless meals to their routine.
Serve it for lunch, dinner, or a casual gathering, this customizable veggie bowl is one you will return to again and again.
Crispy Rice Veggie Bowl
This crispy rice veggie bowl delivers a flavorful, filling meal that is both nourishing and comforting. Golden, pan-crisped jasmine rice, fresh vegetables, plant-based proteins, and a creamy peanut sauce blend togther beautifully.
Ingredients
The Rice Base:
- 3 cups cooked jasmine or brown jasmine rice, cold
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp garlic powder
The Vegetables:
- 1 cup shelled edamame, thawed
- 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber rounds
- ½ cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 1 cup thinly sliced purple cabbage
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
Toppings:
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
- Optional: fresh basil or cilantro for garnish
The Peanut Sauce:
- ¼ cup natural peanut butter
- 1½ tbsp soy sauce
- 1½ tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2-4 tbsp warm water, to thin
Instructions
Make the Rice:
- Heat avocado oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cold rice and press it into an even layer.
- Drizzle soy sauce, honey, and garlic powder evenly over the rice.
- Let the rice cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, until the bottom is deeply golden and crispy.
- Flip the rice in large chunks and cook another 2-3 minutes until crisp. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the Peanut Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, and garlic.
- Slowly add warm water until the sauce is smooth and drizzle-able. Set aside.
Assemble The Bowl:
- Spoon the crispy rice into one side of a large bowl or platter. Arrange the edamame, prepared cucumber, red bell pepper, purple cabbage, and avocado in distinct sections around the rice.
- Sprinkle chopped peanuts over one section.
- Spoon the peanut sauce down the center of the bowl. Drizzle with chili crisp or chili oil if using.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately while the rice is still warm and crispy.
Notes
TIPS:
- Use cold, day-old rice for maximum crispiness
- Don’t stir the rice too soon, patience = crunch
- Keep ingredients separate until serving for the best texture
- Serve immediately so the rice stays crispy
Nutrition Information
Yield
3Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 882Total Fat 44gSaturated Fat 7gUnsaturated Fat 38gSodium 949mgCarbohydrates 100gFiber 18gSugar 14gProtein 31g
If you enjoy wholesome, flavor-packed bowls that feel indulgent while supporting your health, this vegan crispy rice bowl recipe deserves a permanent place in your kitchen rotation.