Best Rice Cooker (and Recipes!) for College Dorms

Ready for move-in day? How will you fuel late-night study sessions and curb cravings after the dining hall closes? Whether you’re prepping for your first dorm or a new college apartment, there’s one appliance you need on your back-to-school shopping list… a mini rice cooker!

With Aroma’s one-touch power switch and a little creativity, you can master all the best rice cooker dorm recipes, from soup and pasta to jambalaya, oatmeal, eggs, and more.

Best Rice Cooker for College Dorm

Every year during back-to-school, we hear the same feedback from customers and across social media: Aroma’s small 4-cup rice cooker is the most popular choice for college freshmen, and a must-have for DIY dorm kitchens!

Here’s why:

–       Mini size                     cook up to 4 cups for yourself and your roommate

–       Easy to clean              wipe and scrub clean in the sink with a nonstick interior

–       Cute colors                 match your dorm style with a modern, colorful appliance

–       Auto-warm                 focus on studying… no stirring or timers required!

–       Auto-off                      comply with common safety rules for college dorms*

*Just a heads up: rules about cooking appliances and rice cookers in dorm rooms vary across campuses, so it’s a good idea to check the resident handbook for your specific building or ask your RA.

Best Budget: 6-Cup Rice Cooker with Ceramic Pot Coating ARC-763C [Just $30!]

Best Style: 4-Cup Rice Cooker in 5 Cute Colors ARC-302NG

Best Steamer: 4-Cup Rice Cooker with Pop-Up Steam Tray ARC-302CUL

Easy Rice Cooker Meals for College Students

Try these one-pot dorm meals with a rice cooker to stay full and focused through midterms and beyond. A small rice cooker for college can also help you save money and stick to a budget when eating off your meal plan.

Scroll for a quick recap of each rice cooker recipe and click the link for full instructions or recipe videos!

One-Pot Beef Pepper Rice

Marinate thin-sliced beef with onion, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, oyster sauce, black pepper, and honey, then cook in your rice cooker with precooked rice, corn, green onion, and butter.

Curry Udon Noodles with Beef

Sauté thinly sliced beef and onion, then set it aside. Bring dashi, soy sauce, mirin, and sesame oil to boil, then add curry roux, udon, beef, and onion to finish cooking altogether.

Hard-Boiled Eggs in a Rice Cooker

Add eggs and 6 tablespoons of water to your mini rice cooker pot, then press the switch to cook for 13 minutes. Switch to an ice bath, peel, and enjoy!

Easy, Tangy Lemon Garlic Rice

Sauté minced white onions and garlic with butter in your rice cooker pot, then add lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and long-grain rice. Finally, add water and flip the switch to cook like normal.

Cheesy, Saucy Pasta Sandwich

Heat water to boiling and cook instant noodles, then drain. Stir in a slice of American cheese and your favorite sauce, then layer on soft bread with fresh lettuce for a little crunch.

Rice Cooker Chicken Curry with Veggies

Stir diced chicken thighs, potatoes, carrots, onion, curry roux, and water together in your rice cooker pot and flip the switch to cook, then serve over precooked white rice.

Healthy Rice Cooker Omelet

Drizzle a little olive oil (optional), then crack three eggs with spinach, feta, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper on top. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Perfect with toast!

Upgrade your dorm kitchen with an Aroma 4-Cup Mini Rice Cooker and discover more college-friendly rice cooker recipes in our blog!