Cheesy Italian Arancini Balls {Italian Rice Balls}

Name: Arancini Balls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 cups quick cook rice (cooked); 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese; 1 cup mozzarella; 3 eggs (1 for rice mixture and 2 beaten for coating the rice balls); 1/8 tsp salt; dash pepper; 1/2 tsp oregano; 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (use 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs in rice mixture and 1/2 cup to bread the rice balls); 2 cups oil (for frying); marinara sauce (for dipping)

Growing up in an Italian family, Sicilian arancini balls were a typical dinner dish, though they also work for Party Appetizer Ideas. Arancini are breaded, fried balls of rice and cheese.

Making Italian fried rice balls can be time-consuming because of the work involved in making the rice. But I recently discovered a cool shortcut that makes easy arancini in a fraction of the time. Read along to find out how to cook arancini.

Rice balls make a great side dish or appetizer. They are filled w/ rice & cheese and fried until crisp. They're ready in less than 30 minutes

Jump to:

What Are Arancini Balls?
Recipes With Rice
Ingredients For Arancini Balls
How To Make Rice Balls
How to fry arancini rice balls
Tips For Making Arancini
FAQs For Arancini Balls
Deep Fried Recipes
Best Tools For Frying
Cheesy Recipes
📖 Recipe

What Are Arancini Balls?

Arancini are a delicious meal from Sicily and made from cooked rice and cheese (sometimes other fillings). The ingredients are rolled into balls, dredged in breadcrumbs, and fried.

Typically, arancini di riso (rice balls) are made with white rice which can be time consuming. My secret to easy arancini is to use a quick cooking rice. It really cuts down on the cooking time. You can also use leftover rice to save time.

Recipes With Rice

Not only is rice a staple in many cultures, but it's also one of the most versatile ingredients out there. It can be steamed, boiled, or fried. Plus, it's so affordable and easy to cook! Here are some of our favorite recipes that use rice:

Ingredients For Arancini Balls

White rice - Provides the base for the arancini.
Parmesan cheese or parmigiano reggiano - Provides a nutty and salty flavor.
Shredded mozzarella - Adds a melty gooey element to the rice balls.
Eggs - Help to hold all the ingredients together.
Kosher salt - Enhances the flavor of all the ingredients.
Black pepper - Adds subtle heat.
Oregano - Classic Italian seasoning.
Seasoned Italian breadcrumbs - For the coating. They will get crisp when fried.
Vegetable oil - For frying. The delicate flavor doesn't detract from the taste of the arancini.
Marinara sauce - Warmed up for dipping.

Some people add different ingredients to arancini balls; for instance, my aunt added peas, which I did not like.

How To Make Rice Balls

The process of making this arancini balls recipe could not be easier. Cook your rice according to package directions in a large pot.

When the rice is ready, put it in a large bowl and add an egg, some of the breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Use your hands to form into small balls. I made various sized rice balls. When I was a kid my family made large rice balls. If you went to the local pizzerias in the Italian neighborhood where I grew up, the arancini balls were huge - larger than a baseball!

These days I see rice balls are made much smaller, so make whatever size you prefer. You can also use an ice cream scoop to form the rice balls. Beat two eggs in a shallow bowl and dip the formed rice balls in the egg.

Next, roll around in the bread crumbs until the ball is completely covered.

How to fry arancini rice balls

Place the oil in a pot so that when the arancini are added, the oil will cover or nearly cover them. You can also use a deep saucepan. Heat oil until it is 350 degrees. Using a slotted spoon, drop in balls in batches of four until they are cooked through and the outside has turned a deep golden brown. You can also cook these in a deep fryer.

When you are done deep frying, remove the arancini balls from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt. If you'd like, you can warm up some marinara sauce for dipping and serve the sauce with the rice balls.

When you open up the deep-fried arancini, you will see all the rice and cheesy goodness inside.

These arancini rice balls make a great side dish or appetizer. You can also experiment with the ingredients inside. I think bits of cut of salami or pepperoni would taste delicious mixed with the rice. Some make these arancini bites with leftover risotto

If you are looking to make your rice balls arancini a little healthier, check out this Cauliflower Arancini from Kirbie's Cravings.

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Tips For Making Arancini

Tip 1: Serve these with any Italian dish. I like to serve them with chicken parmesan or a pasta dish for an all-out carb fest!

Tip 2: If you are having problems getting the rice balls to stick together, you can place them into the refrigerator or freezer for about 10 minutes so they can firm up and stay together when placed in the oil.

FAQs For Arancini Balls

What Are Arancini Balls Made Out Of?

There are many varieties of Arancini, but traditionally they are made out of rice, mozzarella cheese, dipped in breadcrumbs and fried to a golden brown.

How Do You Store Arancini?

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. You can freeze these by wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container. They can remain in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat arancini, place them in the microwave for a few minutes.

Deep Fried Recipes

Have you ever tried making your own deep fryer recipes at home? It's super easy and so delicious. You can make dishes such as fried chicken and onion rings at home for a fraction of what it cost to get at a restaurant.

Best Tools For Frying

When it comes to frying food, having the right tools makes all the difference. A deep fryer or a heavy pot is essential for holding your oil and keeping the heat steady. You can't skip on a good thermometer either.

A slotted spoon is your go-to for scooping out the food without adding extra oil. And don't forget the paper towels! They're key for draining off excess oil, giving your food that perfectly crisp finish without the grease.

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