This simple method for baked rice comes from a home cook on TikTok. And it's brilliant!
This TikTok Hack Explains How to Bake Rice in the Oven
Updated Sep. 23, 2021
Rice is a staple for so many meals. It can be used as a base for casseroles, added to soups, paired with chicken and vegetables or spruced up as side dish. But long gone are the days of only making rice on the stovetop. Of course, a rice cooker or Instant Pot can be incredibly handy. But now, people can’t stop talking about how to bake rice for foolproof, fluffy results.
How to Bake Rice
TikTok creator @kelleyoz says this method for baked rice might be better than any rice you’ve ever had! Grab with a 9×13 baking dish and preheat your oven to 375°F. Add in two parts water to one part rice, along with 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover tightly with foil. Put the baking dish in the oven and bake the rice for 45 minutes.
Once baked, remove the rice from the oven and let sit for five minutes before fluffing it with a fork.
@kelleyoz Baked Rice #rice #water #baked #seasoning #girlswhocook #foryoupage #ricehack ♬ original sound – Kelley
You can certainly adjust the amount of salt added, or even add in additional seasonings if desired. Note that while Kelley says to add equal parts water and rice in the video, she added the correct measurements in a comment later.
Why Is Baked Rice So Good?
Baked rice tends to turn out fluffier than stovetop rice, and it all has to do with the heat. When rice bakes in the oven, heat is distributed more evenly in the baking dish than on the stovetop. As the water heats up, the rice absorbs the water to soften and cook the grain. Once cooked, the even heat from the oven helps to remove any excess moisture, leaving you with perfectly cooked, tender rice.
This method has other perks, too. You can pop the baking dish in the oven and walk away, no need to keep an eye on the stovetop in case a pot boils over. Plus, it frees up space on your stovetop if you’re prepping a big dinner.
Recipes That Call for Fluffy White Rice
1 / 30
Asparagus Beef Teriyaki
This simple, savory creation is made in the time it takes to steam a pot of rice. About 20 minutes and—boom!—you’re dishing dinner. —Kari Shifflett, Lake Mills, Iowa
Sausage RatatouilleYou’ll feel like a great chef when you serve this veggie-packed dish party guests will rave about. Don’t let the ingredient list fool you: Pantry staples and an easy-cook method make this one a cinch. —Janine Freeman, Blaine, Washington
Lemon Rice PilafNo need to buy premade pilaf mix when you can easily make your own in 20 minutes. The lemon zest adds a welcome burst of tang. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Teriyaki Glazed ChickenI love to experiment with food. We're able to buy sweet onions grown on Maui, so I stir-fry them with chicken and carrots for a tasty teriyaki meal. —Kelly Brenneman, Riverdale, California
Thai Coconut BeefMy husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Editor's tip: You can also try using jasmine rice in this recipe. It has a lovely, subtle aromatic flavor.
Orange Chicken Stir-FryMy husband loves this orange chicken stir-fry, so we have it quite often. I'm delighted with the ingredients as we have six orange trees in our backyard. —Bunny Bronson, Lake Placid, Florida
Turkey Curry with RiceWhen I have leftover turkey and a hankering for non-holiday food, I make turkey curry with carrots, cauliflower and mango chutney to spoon over rice. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada 
Thai Scallop SauteJust open a bottle of Thai peanut sauce to give this seafood stir-fry some serious authenticity. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Mexican Fiesta PlatterThis recipe proves you don't need to fuss to prepare an appetizer for a crowd. With generous layers of beef, rice, corn chips and cheese, it's a nacho lover's dream!—Ann Nace, Perkasie, Pennsylvania 
Creole JambalayaJambalaya is a traditional Louisiana dish, coming from our Spanish and French culture. Rice is the main ingredient, with different meats or seafood mixed in. I particularly like this variation with shrimp and ham. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Creamy Turkey CasseroleI sometimes make turkey just so I have the extras for this casserole! —Mary Jo O'Brien, Hastings, Minnesota
Easy Asian Glazed MeatballsAs a writer and busy mom of three boys, I need tasty meals on the quick. We serve these glazed meatballs over a steaming bed of rice. —Amy Dong, Woodbury, Minnesota 
Slow-Cooker GolombkiI modified my mom's classic Polish dish to fit my hectic life. Instead of boiling the cabbage and then filling it with beef, I just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker. It's much easier and tastes just as delicious. —Mary Walker, Clermont, Florida
Chicken Wings FricasseeThese old-fashioned sautéed chicken wings with flavorful gravy are equally impressive and inexpensive. They usually draw compliments—and second helpings.—Sundra Lewis, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Turkey a la King with RiceI like to make this dish with our leftover turkey. It's a nice change from casseroles and so simple. Serve over rice, noodles, biscuits or toast. —Pat Lemke, Brandon, Wisconsin 
Chicken and Rice CasseroleEveryone loves this dish—I consider it the best chicken and rice casserole recipe because it's a tasty combination of hearty and crunchy ingredients mixed in a creamy sauce. It's a time-tested classic. —Myrtle Matthews, Marietta, Georgia
New Orleans GumboI’ve been making this New Orleans gumbo for at least 30 years. I’m originally from New Orleans, and I think it’s a nice taste of the Vieux Carre (French Quarter). Everyone who tastes this gumbo wants the recipe. It’s an old standby for my family, who requests it frequently. —Dolores M. Bridges, Danville, Kentucky
Italian Stuffed PeppersCooking the stuffed peppers in a slow cooker is not only convenient, the long cooking process improves the flavor of the filling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sweet and Tangy ChickenSpicy barbecue sauce blends with sweet pineapple in this quick-to-fix chicken dish. It's tasty enough for a company dinner; just add a salad and rolls. —Mary Zawlocki, Gig Harbor, Washington
Chickpea & Potato CurryGet a whole new perspective on the underappreciated chickpea with this spicy potato and chickpea curry in a tangy tomato sauce. It’s creamy, filling and heady with wonderful aromas.
Spicy Shrimp with RiceNo one will doubt that "light" cooking can be tasty when you put a helping of this zippy shrimp in front of them. The seafood is seasoned just right with garlic, pepper and hot sauce. — Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 
Slow-Cooker Spinach & RiceI started making this in the slow cooker to save oven space during the holidays. It's so convenient that I no longer reserve it for special occasions! —Erica Polly, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Red Beans and SausageTurkey sausage, beans and a zesty blend of spices make this a deliciously unique meal.—Cathy Webster, Morris, Illinois
Easy Chili VerdeI love chili verde. I order it whenever I can at restaurants, and figured out how to make an easy, tasty version at home. People have the option to eat the chili verde with a fork or in tortillas with a variety of toppings such as cheese, cilantro, minced onions or lime wedges. There are never leftovers at my house. —Julie Rowland, Salt Lake City, Utah
Ginger Beef Stir-FryThis savory stir-fry showcases tender slices of beef, while colorful carrots add crunch. For devoted meat-and-potatoes fans, replace the rice with mashed potatoes. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
Crawfish EtouffeeThis crawfish etouffee is a fun and interesting dish to serve when entertaining. For some, it's an introduction to crawfish and Cajun food. Our favorite seafood restaurant features this dish on their menu and it's fabulous! —Tamra Duncan, Lincoln, Arkansas
Chipotle Turkey ChilaquilesAs a frugal mom, I try to use leftovers in a way that provides good nutrition. This recipe does just that and it’s also a great way for my children to learn to enjoy the flavors of their Mexican heritage. —Aimee Day, Ferndale, Washington
Brazilian Pork & Black Bean StewDuring high school, I spent a year in Brazil and fell in love with the culture and food. One of my favorite dishes was feijoada, a chili-like stew served over white rice. I introduced this version to my family, and it has become one of our favorite comfort foods. —Andrea Romanczyk, Magna, Utah. Learn how to make white rice taste better.
Tropical Sweet and Spicy Pork TenderloinWhen we crave something sweet and spicy, pork tenderloin cooked with chipotle, barbecue sauce and pineapple really delivers. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida 
Black-Eyed Peas & HamEvery New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado
Originally Published: September 23, 2021
