Authentic Indian Masala Fried Rice Recipe (Phodnicha Bhat)

My friend Nadee sent me this Indian Masala Fried Rice recipe last year, and it’s become my go-to whenever I have leftover rice. It’s quick, flavorful, and much more interesting than plain rice. Here’s the original Phodnicha Bhat recipe video she shared with me.

Want to see how to make this Masala Fried Rice? Check out Nadee’s video below! Like and subscribe for more easy, delicious recipes every week.

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Why This Indian Fried Rice Is Special

What I love most about this Masala Fried Rice is how it transforms ordinary rice into something really flavorful. The potatoes get crispy, the peanuts add crunch, and all those spices make your kitchen smell amazing. It takes about 25 minutes from start to finish, which makes it perfect for busy evenings.

You can use leftover rice from the fridge or make fresh rice – both work well. I often make this as a quick lunch or as a side dish with curry for dinner.

Ingredients for Masala Rice

• 2 cups cooked basmati rice
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 medium potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts
• 4-5 curry leaves
• 2 small dried red chilies
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds

For that perfect mild heat and gorgeous color in your Masala Rice, grab some Kashmiri Chilli Powder. I use it in practically everything!

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Top Tip: If you don’t want to buy all these spices separately, you can use 2 teaspoons of Biryani Masala instead. I’ve found it works really well as a substitute and saves having to stock so many different spices.

Perfect Basmati Rice for Indian Fried Rice

If you don’t have leftover rice, here’s how I make rice for this recipe:

1. Rinse 2 cups of basmati rice under cold water until it runs clear
2. Put it in a pot with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil
3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes
4. Let it cool completely before using

Note: Cold rice works much better for fried rice because the grains firm up in the refrigerator. Using hot or freshly cooked rice often results in a mushy final dish.

Top Tip: I sometimes make rice the night before, specifically for this recipe. Just cook it normally, spread it on a tray to cool faster, then refrigerate it overnight.

Preparing the Rice

Before starting the cooking, I mix the rice with spices. This step adds so much flavor:

1. Put your rice in a bowl
2. Add the garam masala, turmeric, chili powder, chopped cilantro, and salt
3. Mix everything well so all the rice grains get coated with the spices
4. Let this sit for about 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients

Top Tip: Breaking up any clumps of rice before adding the spices helps ensure even coating. The turmeric will turn the rice a beautiful yellow color.

Preparing Traditional Masala Rice Spice Mix

Now for the cooking part. I find this goes quickly once you start, so it helps to have everything ready:

1. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat
2. Add the potato cubes and cook for about 5 minutes until golden and crispy
3. Add the diced onion and cook for another 2 minutes until soft
4. Turn the heat down to medium and add the garlic, peanuts, curry leaves, and dried chilies
5. Stir for about a minute to prevent burning
6. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds and wait for them to pop and sizzle
7. Add your spiced rice to the pan and gently fold everything together
8. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through

Note: Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will make the dish taste bitter. If your stove runs hot, you might want to reduce the heat further when adding the garlic.

Did You Know? This method of adding spices to hot oil is called “tempering” or “tadka” in Indian cooking. It’s a fundamental technique that releases the essential oils in spices for maximum flavor.

Related Recipe: If you enjoyed this Indian Masala Fried Rice, try this Chicken Pulao rice recipe next here.

Best Ways to Serve Masala Rice

This rice is versatile enough to serve in several ways:

• By itself, as a quick meal
• With curry as a side dish
• Topped with a fried egg for extra protein
• With a dollop of yogurt, if you want something cooling

Top Tip: For a complete meal, I love serving this with a simple cucumber raita (yogurt with grated cucumber and a pinch of cumin). The cool yogurt balances the warm spices perfectly.

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for a couple of days. Just store in a covered container and reheat in a pan with a splash of water.

More Delicious Rice Recipes

Check out my YouTube channel for more rice recipes! You’ll find some of my favorites and more of Nadee’s fantastic dishes that are perfect for quick meals or special occasions.

• Chilli Garlic Fried Rice– Packed with bold garlic and chili flavors, this spicy fried rice is a must-try for heat lovers and perfect as a quick weeknight dish.
• Cauliflower Fried Rice (Healthy and Low-Carb)– A healthy twist on classic fried rice—this cauliflower version is low-carb, full of veggies, and just as satisfying.
• Roast Paan – Transforming Ordinary Bread into Crispy Delight – Take plain bread to the next level with this crispy, golden Roast Paan—a Sri Lankan-inspired street food snack from my friend Nadee’s fantastic collection of dishes, full of flavor and irresistible crunch.

Did you try this recipe? Let me know how it turned out! Any questions? Drop a comment below – I love hearing from you!