Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls Recipe
Introduction
Air fryer arancini are crispy, golden rice balls filled with gooey mozzarella and fragrant Parmesan. This lighter take on the classic Italian snack is easy to make at home and perfect for a delicious appetizer or a comforting bite.
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. 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 a medium cookie scoop to help portion the rice balls uniformly for even cooking.
- For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the rice mixture.
- Try swapping Italian bread crumbs for panko to achieve an extra crispy coating.
- Make sure the rice mixture is warm, not hot, to help the arancini hold their shape better.
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 370°F (190°C) for about 5 minutes to regain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use leftover risotto for arancini?
Yes, leftover risotto works well for making arancini since it’s already creamy and sticky, which helps the balls hold together perfectly.
Do I have to use an air fryer?
No, you can deep fry the arancini in hot oil until golden brown. However, air frying offers a lighter, less greasy alternative with great crispiness.
PrintAir Fryer Arancini Rice Balls Recipe
Crispy and golden Air Fryer Arancini Rice Balls, made with creamy arborio rice, melted mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs, coated in breadcrumbs and air fried to perfection. Served with warm marinara sauce, these Italian-inspired snacks are a delicious and healthier twist to the classic fried arancini.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 16–20 arancini rice balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Rice 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
Other
- Olive oil (for spritzing)
- Marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm cooked arborio rice, grated parmesan, diced mozzarella, chopped parsley, and dried basil. Season the mixture liberally with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Form the Rice Balls: Using your hands or a medium cookie scoop, scoop about 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and tightly shape it into a compact ball. Repeat this process until all the rice mixture is used, making approximately 16-20 arancini balls.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow bowls for breading: one with all-purpose flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with Italian bread crumbs to prepare for coating.
- Bread the Arancini Balls: Roll each rice ball first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any extra drip off, and finally coat it evenly with Italian bread crumbs. Place the coated balls on a plate ready for air frying.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (190°C) to get the basket hot and ensure crispiness during cooking.
- Air Fry the Arancini: Place the breaded arancini balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not touch. Lightly spritz the balls with olive oil to promote browning. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the arancini are golden brown and crispy.
- Cool Before Serving: Once cooked, carefully remove the arancini from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack or plate for a few minutes to firm up.
- Serve: Serve the air fryer arancini hot alongside marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy these crispy, cheesy treats as an appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Use warm, not hot, cooked arborio rice to help the cheese bind the mixture better.
- Ensure arancini balls are compact to prevent falling apart during cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed to maintain crispiness.
- Spritzing with olive oil helps achieve a golden crunchy exterior without deep frying.
- Leftover arancini can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer for best texture.
- For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes to the rice mixture.
Keywords: arancini, rice balls, air fryer recipe, Italian appetizer, crispy snacks, vegetarian, easy snacks, cheesy arancini
