Crispy Italian Arancini (Rice Balls)
Experience the delightful crunch and rich flavors of these Crispy Italian Arancini! Linking savory short-grain rice and gooey mozzarella with aromatic herbs and spices, this classic Italian dish is a crowd-pleaser. Perfect as an appetizer, side dish, or snack, these golden fried rice balls are a delicious way to use leftover rice. Stuffed with mozzarella and fried to perfection, each bite offers a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors. Serve them with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for an authentic touch.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggs
2 (lightly beaten)
cooked rice
2 1/2 cups (preferably short grain or Arborio)
butter
1/3 cup (melted)
grated cheese
2/3 cup (Parmesan or Romano)
garlic
1 teaspoon (fresh minced or 1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional))
fresh parsley
1/4 cup (chopped or 1 - 2 teaspoons dried)
seasoning salt
2 teaspoons
ground black pepper
1 - 2 teaspoons
mozzarella cheese
3 ounces (cut into small cubes)
oil
(for deep-frying (enough to submerge the arancini))
flour
(for coating)
breadcrumbs
1 cup (fine dry)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, lightly beat 2 large eggs until well combined.
2
Add 2 1/2 cups of cooked rice, preferably short-grain or Arborio, and mix in 1/3 cup of melted butter, 2/3 cup of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic (or 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of garlic powder if preferred), 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley (or 1 - 2 teaspoons of dried parsley), 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt, and 1 - 2 teaspoons of ground black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are completely mixed.
3
Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
4
Once chilled, take small portions of the mixture and roll them into 1-1/2 inch balls. Press a small cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of each ball and reshape the rice around the cheese to completely enclose it.
5
Prepare your breading station: Place flour in a shallow dish, the beaten eggs in another shallow bowl, and 1 cup of fine dry breadcrumbs in a third dish.
6
Carefully coat each rice ball: first, roll it in the flour, then dip it in the beaten eggs, and finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
7
In a deep frying pan or a heavy pot, heat oil to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Fry the rice balls in batches for about 4 minutes or until they are golden brown and crispy.
8
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried arancini onto paper towels to drain the excess oil. Serve hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Italian Arancini?
Arancini are delightful Italian rice balls made with savory short-grain rice, stuffed with gooey mozzarella, and fried until golden and crispy.
What is the best type of rice to use for Arancini?
Short-grain rice or Arborio rice is preferred because of its higher starch content, which helps the balls hold their shape.
Can I use leftover rice for this recipe?
Yes, these rice balls are a delicious and practical way to use up leftover cooked rice.
What cheese is used inside the rice balls?
A small cube of mozzarella cheese is pressed into the center of each ball to provide a gooey, melted core.
How long should the rice mixture refrigerate?
The mixture should be covered and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up.
At what temperature should the oil be for frying?
The oil should be heated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for optimal frying.
How long do Arancini need to fry?
Fry the rice balls for approximately 4 minutes or until they reach a golden brown and crispy exterior.
What are the three steps for breading the rice balls?
Each ball should be rolled in flour, then dipped in beaten eggs, and finally rolled in fine dry breadcrumbs.
What herbs and spices are included in the mixture?
The recipe includes fresh minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, seasoning salt, and ground black pepper.
Is this Arancini recipe vegetarian?
Yes, based on the ingredients provided, this recipe is suitable for vegetarians.
What is the suggested serving size for the balls?
The rice mixture should be rolled into balls approximately 1-1/2 inches in size.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of fresh minced garlic with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
What dipping sauce goes well with Arancini?
Marinara sauce is the classic choice, though any favorite dipping sauce can be used.
How many eggs are needed for the mixture?
The recipe calls for 2 large eggs to be lightly beaten and mixed into the rice.
What kind of grated cheese is added to the rice?
The recipe suggests using 2/3 cup of grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.
Can I use dried parsley?
Yes, you can substitute 1/4 cup of fresh parsley with 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried parsley.
What is the purpose of the flour in the breading station?
Flour acts as the first coating layer to help the egg wash adhere better to the rice ball.
How do you prevent the cheese from leaking out during frying?
Ensure the rice is reshaped carefully around the mozzarella cube to completely enclose it before breading.
How should I drain the excess oil?
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried arancini onto paper towels to drain after cooking.
What texture should the finished Arancini have?
They should have a wonderful contrast of a crunchy, golden exterior and a soft, cheesy interior.
Is butter used in the rice mixture?
Yes, 1/3 cup of melted butter is mixed into the rice to add richness.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
While this recipe specifies deep-frying for maximum crunch, they are traditionally fried to achieve the signature golden exterior.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
This recipe utilizes 12 specific ingredients, including the breading components and frying oil.
Should Arancini be served hot or cold?
They are best served hot to ensure the mozzarella center remains melted and gooey.
What type of pot is best for frying?
A deep frying pan or a heavy pot is recommended to maintain stable oil temperatures.
Does the recipe include salt?
Yes, it uses 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt to enhance the overall flavor.
How many rice balls does this make?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of cooked rice to form balls of 1-1/2 inches, typically yielding a generous party-sized batch.
What is the total amount of mozzarella needed?
The recipe calls for 3 ounces of mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes.
What breadcrumbs are recommended?
Fine dry breadcrumbs are recommended for an even, crispy coating.
What is the main flavor profile of these Arancini?
They are savory and aromatic, featuring garlic, parsley, and salty cheeses like Parmesan or Romano.