Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls Recipe
Introduction
Air fryer arancini rice balls are a crispy, cheesy Italian snack that’s perfect for appetizers or a tasty treat. These golden bites are easy to make and come out perfectly crunchy without deep frying.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked arborio rice (warm, but not hot)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup diced mozzarella cheese (in small cubes)
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- Marinara sauce (for serving)
- Olive oil (for spritzing)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked arborio rice, grated parmesan cheese, diced mozzarella, chopped parsley, and dried basil. Season liberally with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 2: Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and shape it into a compact ball using your hands or a medium cookie scoop. Repeat this process until all the rice mixture is used, forming 16-20 arancini balls.
- Step 3: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with the all-purpose flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with the Italian bread crumbs.
- Step 4: Roll each arancini ball in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off, and finally coat it evenly with the Italian bread crumbs. Place the coated arancini balls on a plate.
- Step 5: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C). Place the arancini balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other. Spritz with olive oil.
- Step 6: Air fry the arancini at 370°F for 10-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Step 7: Once the arancini are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Step 8: Serve the air fryer arancini hot with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- Use day-old rice for better texture, as freshly cooked rice can be too sticky.
- Try adding cooked ham or peas to the rice mixture for extra flavor and variety.
- If you prefer a crispier crust, double coat the arancini by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
- Substitute Italian bread crumbs with panko for a lighter, crunchier texture.
Storage
Store leftover arancini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until warmed through and crispy. Avoid microwaving to keep the coating crunchy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze arancini before cooking?
Yes, you can freeze the shaped and breaded arancini on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Cook them from frozen in the air fryer, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What can I serve with arancini?
Arancini pair wonderfully with marinara sauce, but you can also serve them with pesto, garlic aioli, or a simple side salad for a complete appetizer or light meal.
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Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 16–20 arancini rice balls 1x
Description
Crispy and golden Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls combine creamy arborio rice, melted mozzarella, and parmesan with fragrant herbs, all breaded and air fried to perfection. Perfectly portioned and easy to make, these Italian-inspired snacks are delicious served hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Arancini Mixture
- 2 cups cooked arborio rice (warm, but not hot)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup diced mozzarella cheese (small cubes)
- 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Breading Station
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
For Cooking & Serving
- Olive oil (for spritzing)
- Marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked arborio rice, grated parmesan cheese, diced mozzarella, chopped parsley, and dried basil. Season liberally with salt and pepper to taste, and mix well to combine all ingredients.
- Shape the Arancini: Using your hands or a medium cookie scoop, scoop about 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and shape it into compact balls. Repeat until all the mixture is used, forming 16-20 arancini balls.
- Set up the Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls in the order of all-purpose flour, beaten eggs, and Italian bread crumbs for coating the arancini.
- Bread the Arancini Balls: Roll each arancini ball first in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs allowing excess to drip off, and finally coat fully with Italian bread crumbs. Place coated balls onto a plate.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 370°F (190°C) and let it preheat while you finish breading the arancini.
- Air Fry the Arancini: Place the breaded arancini balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Lightly spritz each ball with olive oil to encourage crisping. Air fry at 370°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the cooked arancini from the air fryer and allow to cool for a few minutes to let the cheese inside settle.
- Serve: Serve the arancini hot with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy this crunchy, cheesy appetizer or snack!
Notes
- Use warm rice to help the mixture bind together well.
- Ensure arancini balls are compact to avoid breaking during breading or cooking.
- Spritzing with olive oil helps achieve a crispy golden exterior in the air fryer.
- Arancini can be made ahead and frozen before breading for quick cooking later.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Arancini, Air Fryer Rice Balls, Italian Snacks, Crispy Rice Balls, Appetizer, Cheese Rice Balls
