How to Cook Sticky (Glutinous) Rice in a Rice Cooker
Quick answer: Yes, you can make sticky (glutinous) rice in a rice cooker. Rinse the rice, soak it for at least 4 hours or overnight if you can, drain it, then add water at a ratio of about 1 cup of rice to ¾ to 1 cup of water. Cook on the regular white rice setting (or the sweet/sticky rice setting if yours has one), then rest the rice for 10 minutes with the lid closed. If you skip soaking, use about 1 to 1¼ cups of water per cup of rice.
Last updated: November 1, 2026
What you need
- 2 cups of glutinous rice, also sold as sweet rice or sticky rice. Do not use regular long-grain rice, it will not turn sticky.
- Water: see the table below.
- ½ teaspoon of salt (optional)
How much water for sticky rice in a rice cooker
| Method | Water per 1 cup of rice | Water for 2 cups of rice |
|---|---|---|
| Soaked 4+ hours and drained | ¾ to 1 cup | 1½ to 2 cups |
| Not soaked | 1 to 1¼ cups | 2 to 2½ cups |
Start at the lower end. Glutinous rice absorbs less water than regular rice, and too much water makes it mushy instead of chewy. You can add a splash more next time if it comes out too firm.
How to make sticky rice in a rice cooker
- Rinse. Rinse the rice in cold water a few times until the water runs mostly clear.
- Soak. Cover with plenty of water and soak for 4 to 8 hours, or overnight. Soaking gives a more even, chewy texture. Drain well.
- Add to the cooker. Put the drained rice in the inner pot, add the water from the table above and the salt if using, and spread the rice level.
- Cook. Close the lid and start the regular white rice setting, or the sweet/sticky rice setting if your cooker has one.
- Rest. When it switches to Keep Warm, leave the lid closed for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Fluff and serve. Use a wet paddle or spatula to fluff the rice, since it sticks to dry utensils. Serve warm.
Tips for better sticky rice
- Soak if you can. It is the biggest improvement you can make.
- Do not stir while cooking. Stirring makes the rice gluey.
- Use a wet paddle and wet your hands when shaping.
- Cooked rice hardens as it cools. Keep it covered and warm, or reheat it with a splash of water.
Is it the same as traditional sticky rice?
Traditional Thai and Lao sticky rice is steamed in a basket over boiling water, which gives separate, chewy grains. A rice cooker gives a slightly softer, stickier result, but it is far easier and works well for most home cooking. If your cooker has a steaming basket, you can also steam soaked rice above boiling water.
How to make regular rice sticky in a rice cooker
If you mean making everyday rice stickier, such as sushi or short-grain rice, use short-grain rice, rinse it less, and use slightly less water than usual. Short-grain varieties such as sushi rice are naturally stickier than long-grain rice. See our white rice guide and our guide on how much water to use for rice.
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook sticky rice in a rice cooker without soaking?
Yes. Use a little more water (about 1 to 1¼ cups per cup of rice). The grains will be slightly less even than soaked rice.
Why is my sticky rice mushy?
Too much water is the usual cause. Use less water, especially if you soaked the rice.
Why is it still hard?
Too little water or no rest period. Add a splash of water, close the lid and let it steam for 10 more minutes.
Can I use an Aroma or other basic rice cooker?
Yes. Any rice cooker that cooks white rice can cook glutinous rice. Use the white rice setting and follow the water amounts above.
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