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Easy Cheesy Arancini: Crispy Fried Rice Balls Recipe

A pile of golden-brown, crispy rice balls, with one broken open revealing a cheesy interior with bits of ham or bacon.
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Make classic Italian rice balls, Arancini, at home. These savory rice balls are stuffed with mozzarella and ham, coated, and fried until perfectly crispy. A great appetizer or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked Arborio rice (cooled)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup diced cooked ham
  • 1 cup small mozzarella cheese cubes
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten (for dredging)
  • 2 cups plain breadcrumbs
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the cooled cooked rice, Parmesan cheese, 1 lightly beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
  2. Take about 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a small cube of mozzarella and a piece of ham in the center. Gently mold the rice around the filling to form a tight ball, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Repeat until all the rice mixture is used.
  3. Set up a breading station: place flour in one shallow dish, the 2 beaten eggs in a second dish, and breadcrumbs in a third dish.
  4. Dredge each rice ball first in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, roll it thoroughly in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so the crumbs adhere well. Place the coated rice balls on a tray.
  5. Pour vegetable oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature for best results.
  6. Carefully place 3 or 4 rice balls into the hot oil, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
  7. Remove the crispy rice balls with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  8. Serve your homemade rice balls immediately while the cheese inside is melted.

Notes

  • For the best texture, make sure your cooked rice is cold before forming the balls.
  • If you skip the ham, these become simple cheesy rice balls, which are also delicious.
  • If you do not have Arborio rice, short-grain sushi rice works well for sticky rice balls.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/easy-cheesy-arancini-crispy-fried-rice-balls/