Instant Pot Sticky Rice

Many dear readers enjoyed our Jasmine Rice, Brown Rice, and Basmati Rice experiments, and have requested for our Instant Pot Sticky Rice Recipe.

Some of you have told us your Instant Pot Sticky Rice turned out wet, mushy, gummy, undercooked…

We heard you! Yes. As easy as it looks, it’s a bit tricky to perfect any type of Pressure Cooker Rice, especially Instant Pot Sticky Rice.

The Water to Rice Ratio is like the Golden Key to the Perfect Rice Treasure Box.

Thanks for your patience as we test & perfect this recipe. 🙂

So, time for another Instant Pot Rice Experiment!

First Off, What is Sticky Rice?

Sticky Rice (aka Sweet Rice or Glutinous Rice) is a non-translucent, opaque milky-colored, long grain rice.

Due to very low amylose content, it becomes especially sticky when cooked.

It’s commonly used in many Southeast and East Asian dishes. Some of my favorite comfort food & dim sums are made with glutinous rice or glutinous rice flour (ground glutinous rice):

• Lo Mai Gai 糯米雞
• Deep Fried Glutinous Rice Dumplings 咸水角
• Japanese Mochi もち
• Thai Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango (Kow Neuw Mamuang)…

Man, I’m drooling just thinking about these… ? hehe~

Despite the name, Glutinous Rice is gluten-free.

Normally, authentic Sticky Rice eaten in Laos or Thailand is pre-soaked for several hours (or even overnight!), then steamed in a Special Sticky Rice Steamer Pot & Basket, which then kneaded with a wooden paddle.

But, with our Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker? 

Behold the Golden Key to the Easy & Quick No-Soak Instant Pot Sticky Rice!

Instant Pot Sticky Rice Experiment

What We Look For in Sticky Rice?

• Evenly cooked
• Remain intact & separated (not mush)
• Tender yet sticky & chewy
• Dry (not soggy)
• Flavorful & fragrant

We conducted 5+ tests with Glutinous Rice using different amounts of liquid, cooking time, pressure release methods, Pot-in-Pot (PIP) or directly in the Pot in our Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker.

Here are the Instant Pot Sticky Rice Experiment Results:

*HP = High Pressure; NR = Natural Release

After playing around with the various factors, we achieved our desired results with Test #5.

You’ll Enjoy Instant Pot Sticky Rice Because:

• Huge Time Saver: Cut short preparation & cooking time!
• No soaking required!!
• Super easy to make – no need to tend the steamer to ensure it’s evenly cooked (no need to turn the rice or check if the steamer is running dry)
• Easy to achieve consistent yummy results
• No need to purchase special equipment

Ingredients for Instant Pot Sticky Rice

• 1 cup (200g) Glutinous Rice (No soaking required)
• 2/3 cup (167ml) cold tap water

Tools for Instant Pot Sticky Rice

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Stainless Steel Bowl
• Trivet or Steamer Rack
• Digital Kitchen Scale

Pro Tip: it’s important to use a stainless steel bowl to hold the glutinous rice when following this recipe.

Stainless steel bowl is best for the pot-in-pot method as it conducts heat fast. Optimal cooking time & end results may differ if you use other types of containers.

Instructions for Instant Pot Sticky Rice

Step 1
Pressure Cook Glutinous Rice

First, add 1 cup (250ml) of cold tap water and a trivet in your pressure cooker.

Add 1 cup (200g) of glutinous rice in a stainless steel bowl. Then, place the stainless steel bowl on the trivet.

Pour 2/3 cup (167ml) of cold tap water into the stainless steel bowl. Ensure all the glutinous rice is submerged in the water (as shown in photo below).

Close the lid immediately and pressure cook at:

• Pressure Cooking Method: High Pressure for 12 minutes, then Natural Release (roughly 5 – 7 minutes)

Open the lid carefully.

*Pro Tip – Doubling Recipe with 2 Cups of Glutinous Rice: pressure cook at High Pressure for 25 minutes + Natural Release.

Step 2
Fluff & Serve Instant Pot Sticky Rice

Remove the stainless steel bowl from the pressure cooker.

Gently fluff the Instant Pot Sticky Rice to release the steam, and serve warm with your main dish!

Fun Fact: In some Asian countries such as Thailand & Laos, they eat Sticky Rice with their hands!

They’re served in adorable little bamboo baskets and you roll the rice into small ball shape with your fingers.

You can either eat it on it’s own or dip them into a sauce.

Enjoy~

Cooking Tips for Instant Pot Sticky Rice

1. Water to Rice Ratio: this ratio makes or breaks your path to perfecting Instant Pot Rice. So, measure them as accurately as possible for your satisfaction 🙂

2. Stainless Steel Containers: As mentioned above, it’s important to use a stainless steel bowl to hold the glutinous rice when following this recipe.

Optimal cooking time & end results may differ if you use other types of containers.

The stainless steel bowl we used is 7″ wide. If you are using a smaller bowl, increase the pressure cooking time accordingly as the overall thickness of the rice has increased.

3. Can I Double the Recipe using 2 Cups of Glutinous Rice?

Yes! For 2 cups of Glutinous rice, use this method:

• Rice: 2 cups (400g) Glutinous Rice
• Water: 1 1/3 cup (334ml) Cold Tap Water
• Pressure Cooking Method: High Pressure for 25 minutes
• Pressure Release Method: Natural Release

Other Instant Pot Rice Recipes

• Instant Pot Coconut Rice
• Instant Pot Jasmine Rice

Time to make Sticky Rice in Instant Pot!