Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls Recipe

Introduction

Air fryer arancini are crispy, golden rice balls filled with gooey mozzarella and fragrant parmesan. This healthier take on a classic Italian snack delivers all the cheesy flavor you love, with a perfectly crunchy exterior thanks to the air fryer.

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

1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked arborio rice, grated parmesan, diced mozzarella, minced parsley, and dried basil. Season liberally with salt and pepper to taste.
2. 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 until all mixture is used, forming 16-20 balls.
3. Step 3: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with Italian bread crumbs.
4. Step 4: Roll each rice ball in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the eggs, letting excess drip off, then coat evenly with bread crumbs. Place on a plate.
5. Step 5: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C). Arrange balls in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t touch. Spritz lightly with olive oil.
6. Step 6: Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
7. Step 7: Remove from the air fryer and let cool a few minutes.
8. Step 8: Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover risotto or freshly cooked arborio rice for best results; slightly sticky rice binds better.
• For extra flavor, add finely chopped cooked ham or prosciutto to the rice mixture.
• Try different cheese combinations like provolone or fontina to vary the gooey center.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, bake in a 400°F (200°C) oven on a greased sheet for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway.
• Spritz with olive oil before air frying to ensure a perfectly crispy crust without deep frying.

Storage

Store leftover arancini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to regain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep the coating crunchy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make arancini ahead of time and freeze them?

Yes, you can freeze the uncooked, breaded rice balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag once firm. Air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What type of rice is best for arancini?

Arborio rice is ideal because its high starch content makes the rice sticky and easy to shape, but leftover risotto works well too. Avoid long-grain rice as it tends to be too dry and loose.

Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls Recipe

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5 from 83 reviews

These Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls are a delicious and healthier twist on the classic Italian fried rice balls. Made with creamy arborio rice, melted mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, they’re breaded and air fried to golden perfection for a crispy outside and gooey inside. Perfect as an appetizer or snack served with tangy marinara sauce.

• Author: Daniel
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 16–20 arancini balls 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

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Rice Ball Mixture

• 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)

Breading Station

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup Italian bread crumbs

Additional

• Olive oil (for spritzing)
• Marinara sauce (for serving)

Instructions

1. 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 gently mix until everything is evenly incorporated.
2. Form Arancini Balls: Using your hands or a medium cookie scoop, scoop about 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and shape it into a compact ball. Repeat this process until all the rice mixture is used, forming approximately 16 to 20 arancini balls.
3. Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with Italian bread crumbs. This setup allows for efficient breading of the rice balls.
4. Bread the Rice Balls: Roll each arancini ball first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off, then coat it evenly with Italian bread crumbs. Place the coated balls on a plate to wait for frying.
5. Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 370°F (190°C). Make sure it reaches the right temperature before cooking to ensure crispiness.
6. Air Fry the Arancini: Arrange the arancini balls in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other for even cooking. Lightly spritz each ball with olive oil to promote browning and crisp texture. Air fry at 370°F for 10-12 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
7. Cool and Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the arancini from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a few minutes. This helps them hold their shape and prevents burning your mouth.
8. Enjoy: Serve the arancini hot alongside marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy a crunchy, cheesy treat that’s perfect for sharing.

Notes

• Ensure the rice is warm but not hot when mixing to help ingredients blend properly without melting the cheese prematurely.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the rice mixture before forming balls.
• You can substitute Italian bread crumbs with panko for extra crunch.
• Make sure arancini balls are evenly coated to prevent them from falling apart during air frying.
• Use olive oil spritzing to achieve a golden crust without deep frying.
• Leftover arancini can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes to retain crispiness.

Keywords: arancini, air fryer, italian appetizer, rice balls, cheesy snacks, healthy fried snacks