Breakfast Fried Rice is a quick and tasty Breakfast Fried Rice recipe perfect for busy mornings, delivering a hearty start to your day with simple ingredients that come together in minutes. This dish combines vibrant flavors, satisfying textures, and a comforting warmth that makes mornings smoother and more delicious without any hassle.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Speedy Preparation: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for hectic mornings when every second counts.
One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup with everything cooked in a single skillet or wok for convenience.
Flavorful and Filling: A balanced dish with savory ingredients and satisfying textures that keep you energized.
Customizable: Easily adapted with your favorite vegetables, proteins, and spices for a personalized touch.
Great for Leftovers: Uses leftover rice or fresh, reducing food waste and saving money.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Breakfast Fried Rice lies in its simple yet essential ingredients that each bring unique qualities to the dish—from the fluffy rice base to the savory protein and crunchy vegetables, the flavor and texture come alive in every bite.

Day-old Rice: Leftover rice works best to prevent mushiness and ensure perfectly separate grains.
Eggs: Provide protein and richness, binding the dish together with a silky texture.
Vegetables: Bell peppers, green onions, and peas add color, crunch, and fresh sweetness.
Soy Sauce: Adds salty umami depth that ties all flavors harmoniously.
Oil: Typically vegetable or sesame oil, offering a subtle nuttiness and perfect frying medium.
Garlic: Infuses aromatic warmth that wakes up your taste buds.
Optional Protein: Bacon, sausage, or tofu make this dish heartier without much extra effort.

Variations for Breakfast Fried Rice

Feel free to switch things up with this recipe! Whether you’re craving different proteins, need to keep it vegetarian, or want to spice things up, this recipe is super flexible and kind to all kinds of taste preferences and dietary needs.

Vegetarian Version: Replace meat with tofu or extra veggies like mushrooms and spinach for a wholesome plant-based meal.
Spicy Kick: Add chili flakes or sriracha sauce for those who love some heat in the morning.
Cheesy Twist: Stir in shredded cheese at the end for a creamy, indulgent flavor boost.
Keto Friendly: Swap rice for cauliflower rice to keep carbs low while maintaining texture.
Seafood Flair: Toss in chopped shrimp or crab meat for a coastal-inspired variation.

Easy Breakfast Fried Rice for Busy Mornings

How to Make Breakfast Fried Rice

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Gather all your ingredients—dice vegetables, whisk eggs, and have your day-old rice ready to go. This prep will make the cooking process smooth and efficient.

Step 2: Heat the Pan

Warm your skillet or wok over medium heat and add oil, allowing it to get hot but not smoking, perfect for stir-frying.

Step 3: Cook the Eggs

Pour in beaten eggs and scramble gently until cooked through, then transfer them to a plate, leaving the pan ready for the next step.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables

Add minced garlic and diced vegetables to the hot pan, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly softened—this unlocks their natural sweetness.

Step 5: Add the Rice and Soy Sauce

Toss in the rice, breaking up any clumps, then drizzle soy sauce evenly. Stir continuously to coat the grains fully and warm everything through.

Step 6: Combine Everything

Return the cooked eggs to the pan, mix thoroughly, and cook for another minute so flavors meld perfectly before serving.

Pro Tips for Making Breakfast Fried Rice

Use Cold Rice: Using chilled leftover rice prevents sogginess and helps achieve that classic fluffy texture.
High Heat Cooking: Cooking on a higher heat allows quick stir-frying without steaming ingredients, preserving crispness.
Don’t Overload the Pan: Cook in batches if needed; overcrowding lowers temperature and can make the dish greasy.
Soy Sauce Balance: Use just enough soy sauce to enhance flavor without overwhelming—start small and adjust.
Add Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped cilantro or parsley on top for a fresh, vibrant finish.

How to Serve Breakfast Fried Rice

Garnishes

Top your Breakfast Fried Rice with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, or a drizzle of chili oil to add pops of flavor and a colorful touch.

Side Dishes

Pair with a crisp side salad, steamed dumplings, or fresh fruit to balance the savory richness and round out your breakfast menu.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve in a warm bowl topped with a fried egg or avocado slices for added creaminess and visual appeal, turning a quick meal into a delightful breakfast ritual.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Breakfast Fried Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining freshness and flavors.

Freezing

This dish freezes well! Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months, perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts.

Reheating

Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or oil to rejuvenate texture, or microwave with a damp paper towel to keep rice moist.

FAQs

Can I use freshly cooked rice instead of leftover rice?

Fresh rice tends to be too sticky for fried rice because it contains more moisture—if using fresh rice, spread it out and cool completely before cooking.

Is Breakfast Fried Rice healthy?

Yes! It combines protein, veggies, and carbs for a balanced meal, and you can customize it to suit various dietary preferences.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Absolutely! Simply omit the eggs and any meat, then boost the veggies and use tofu or tempeh for protein.

What type of soy sauce should I use?

Light soy sauce is great for seasoning without overpowering, but feel free to use low-sodium or tamari options for different flavors.

How can I add more flavor without extra salt?

Incorporate fresh herbs, garlic, ginger, and a splash of citrus juice or vinegar to deepen flavor naturally.

Final Thoughts

Give this Breakfast Fried Rice a try when mornings demand something quick, flavorful, and satisfying. It’s a dependable recipe that feels like a warm hug on a plate and welcomes endless customization to fit your taste and schedule. Breakfast just got a whole lot easier and more delicious!

Breakfast Fried Rice

Print Recipe

Breakfast Fried Rice is a quick, flavorful, and customizable dish perfect for busy mornings. Using simple ingredients like leftover rice, eggs, vegetables, and soy sauce, it combines savory, crunchy, and warm elements to deliver a hearty and satisfying start to your day with minimal effort and cleanup.

Author: Emily
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 2-3 servings 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Stir-frying
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Diet: Gluten Free (use gluten-free soy sauce/tamari)

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 cups day-old cooked rice (preferably chilled)
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup diced bell peppers (any color)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
2 tablespoons soy sauce (light or low-sodium)
2 tablespoons vegetable or sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

Optional Protein

3–4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped OR
2 sausage links, cooked and sliced OR
1/2 cup firm tofu, cubed

Optional Garnishes and Additions

Sliced green onions for garnish
Sesame seeds
Chili oil or chili flakes (for spice)
Shredded cheese (optional cheesy twist)
Fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Dice the bell peppers, chop green onions, thaw peas, mince garlic, and whisk the eggs. Have your chilled day-old rice ready for cooking to ensure easy stir-frying and fluffy texture.
Heat the Pan: Warm a large skillet or wok over medium heat and add the oil. Heat until hot but not smoking, creating the ideal surface for frying.
Cook the Eggs: Pour the beaten eggs into the hot pan and scramble gently until fully cooked but still soft. Remove the eggs and set aside on a plate, keeping the pan ready.
Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Add the minced garlic to the pan and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then add diced bell peppers, green onions (reserve some for garnish), and peas. Stir frequently until vegetables soften and their natural sweetness is released.
Add the Rice and Soy Sauce: Add the chilled rice to the pan, breaking up any clumps with your spatula. Drizzle the soy sauce evenly over the rice and stir constantly to coat the grains thoroughly and warm everything through.
Combine Everything: Return the scrambled eggs to the pan and mix well with the rice and vegetables. Cook for an additional minute, allowing flavors to meld perfectly. If using any optional proteins, add them now and combine thoroughly.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the fried rice to serving bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, chili oil, or fresh herbs as desired. Optionally, top with a fried egg or avocado slices for extra creaminess and presentation.

Notes

Use cold, day-old rice for the best texture and to avoid mushiness.
Cook over high heat to get a quick stir-fry and keep vegetables crisp.
Avoid overcrowding the pan; if needed, cook ingredients in batches.
Start with a small amount of soy sauce and adjust to taste to avoid oversalting.
Add fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for a bright, fresh finish.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 280 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 10 g
Cholesterol: 110 mg

Keywords: Breakfast Fried Rice, quick breakfast, easy stir-fry, leftover rice recipe, customizable fried rice, vegetarian options, gluten free breakfast