Air Fryer Cheesy Wild Rice Casserole
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Dust off your air fryer because this Air Fryer Wild Rice Casserole is a game changer! It’s loaded with rich, earthy mushrooms and nutty wild rice and topped with perfectly melted mozzarella cheese. The air fryer does most of the work, so you get a delicious, home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel good with every bite.
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I love this casserole because it’s not your usual, so it’s great to see everyone’s faces light up when you serve it. It’s easy to make and will be on your table in 50 minutes. Because it’s such a crowd-pleaser, I like to serve it up for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, but it’s also a regular for family gatherings. I think you’ll love the earthy, nutty flavor of it, so give it a try!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Air Fryer Wild Rice Casserole with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
You’re going to love how easy it is to make this casserole in your air fryer, just follow my easy instructions.
Soak the Dried Mushrooms
Begin by preheating your air fryer to 355°F/180ºC. While it’s heating up, place the dried mushrooms in a bowl and cover them with boiling water.
Allow them to soak for a couple of minutes, which will rehydrate them and infuse the water with rich, earthy flavors. Remember to reserve the water after soaking, as you’ll use it later in the recipe.
Sauté the Aromatics and Mushrooms
Next, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is warm, add the minced garlic and diced sweet onion. Sauté them for about 5-7 minutes until they become soft and translucent.
Now, drain the soaked mushrooms and add them to the skillet along with the diced porcini (or button) mushrooms. Cook everything together for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are tender and well-cooked.
Combine with Wild Rice and Season
Transfer the sautéed mushroom mixture to a casserole dish. Add the cooked wild rice and pour in the reserved mushroom soaking water.
Stir everything together until well combined. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste, making sure the flavors are balanced.
Air Fry the Casserole
Place the casserole dish in the preheated air fryer and bake it for 15 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld and the dish to heat through evenly.
Add the Cheese and Final Touches
After 15 minutes, remove the casserole from the air fryer. Sprinkle the finely shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. Return the dish to the air fryer and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
When done, garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a handful of crispy fried shallots for extra texture and flavor before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 sweet onion diced
- 2 cups porcini or button mushrooms diced
- 2 cups wild rice cooked
- Salt and pepper for seasoning
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese finely shredded
- ¼ cup parsley finely chopped
- ¼ cup fried shallots
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F/180ºC.
- Cover the dried mushrooms with boiling water and let them soak for a couple of minutes.1 cup dried mushrooms
- Heat a non-stick skillet to medium-high, add the olive oil and let it get warm. Add the garlic and onion and cook for 5-7 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 garlic cloves, 1 sweet onion
- Remove the mushrooms from the water (reserve the water) and add them to the onions. Add the porcini mushrooms as well and mix everything. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until soft.2 cups porcini or button mushrooms
- Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish and add the wild rice and the reserved water from the mushrooms. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper.2 cups wild rice, Salt and pepper
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the AF, top with the mozzarella cheese and bake for 5 more minutes, just so the cheese melts and gets bubbly.1 cup mozzarella cheese
- Serve the casserole with fresh parsley and shallots.¼ cup parsley, ¼ cup fried shallots
Notes
- Soaking Mushrooms: Always reserve the water after soaking the dried mushrooms; it’s full of umami flavor that enhances the dish.
- Cheese Melting Tip: For a perfectly melted top, make sure your mozzarella is finely shredded. This helps it melt evenly and quickly.
- Onion Cooking: Sauté the onions until just translucent; this ensures they add sweetness without becoming too caramelized.
- Rice Texture: Use cooked wild rice with a bit of chewiness left; it will absorb some of the flavors without turning mushy.
- Air Fryer Baking: If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to split the mixture into two smaller dishes to ensure even cooking.
- Mushroom Variety: Feel free to experiment with different mushroom types like shiitake or cremini for varied flavors.
- Adding Greens: Toss in some spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
- Soaking Mushrooms: Always reserve the water after soaking the dried mushrooms; it’s full of umami flavor that enhances the dish.
- Cheese Melting Tip: For a perfectly melted top, make sure your mozzarella is finely shredded. This helps it melt evenly and quickly.
- Onion Cooking: Sauté the onions until just translucent; this ensures they add sweetness without becoming too caramelized.
- Rice Texture: Use cooked wild rice with a bit of chewiness left; it will absorb some of the flavors without turning mushy.
- Air Fryer Baking: If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to split the mixture into two smaller dishes to ensure even cooking.
- Mushroom Variety: Feel free to experiment with different mushroom types like shiitake or cremini for varied flavors.
- Adding Greens: Toss in some spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color.
How to Store Leftover Air Fryer Wild Rice Casserole
Got leftovers? No problem. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat in the air fryer at 350°F/175°C for about 5 minutes until it’s warmed through.
This dish is best enjoyed fresh, so it’s not ideal for freezing—the texture of the rice and mushrooms can get a bit off after thawing.
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