These baked Italian rice balls are made with leftover rice or risotto, full of mozzarella, rolled in breadcrumbs then baked till golden brown. This simple methodology for arancini requires no deep frying!
I really like this simple no-fry recipe for baked Italian rice balls! I first had these as an appetizer at a good friend’s home and liked them a lot I recreated the recipe at residence to function a major dish.
If you’re conversant in Roman suppli al telefono, Sicilian arancini (Italian rice balls) are related in that they’re made with leftover rice wrapped round cheese and fried. This model skips the deep frying, although, and bakes them as a substitute!
The result’s baked rice balls that aren’t solely simpler to make however a barely more healthy different of the fried model, too!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Baked arancini recipe: Oven baked Italian rice balls with none frying which have a crunchy, golden exterior and tacky molten mozzarella heart!
- Repurpose leftovers: In case you have rice leftovers from a earlier meal, stuffed arancini is a good way to repurpose it. Leftover rice casserole and meatballs with rice are different favourite methods!
Ingredient Notes
- Leftover rice: I used leftover rice, however leftover risotto rice may also be used. You should utilize any rice you would like similar to white rice, brown rice, arborio rice or no matter rice you might have readily available.
- Egg: One or two giant eggs are used for binding the rice balls collectively.
- Parsley: Contemporary parsley provides a lot taste!
- Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides one other layer of taste to the rice balls.
- Breadcrumbs: Provides the balls a crunchy coating on the skin. Italian breadcrumbs or common bread crumbs can be utilized.
- Contemporary mozzarella cheese: Provides the gooey half to those tacky rice balls! Fontina may also be used.
The right way to Make Baked Italian Rice Balls
To start out, in a big bowl add the chilly rice, minced parsley, Parmigiano and one egg then mix to type a compact combination.
Within the palm of your hand measure out roughly 1 tablespoon of the rice combination and place a small dice of mozzarella within the center. Mould the rice combination right into a spherical form, ensuring that the mozzarella is totally lined within the heart of the ball. Add extra rice as wanted.
Place the bread crumbs on a plate and roll every ball within the crumbs earlier than putting on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Chill arancini rice balls whereas the oven preheats.
Drizzle with just a little olive oil and bake till golden brown. Serve instantly!
Variations and Substitutions
- Risotto balls: It’s also possible to use leftover risotto to make these into baked risotto balls.
- Gruyere cheese: As a substitute of gruyere cheese, use mozzarella.
- Customise the flavour: Conventional arancini balls include meat and greens within the heart. I made a easy model with herbs and cheese, however you possibly can add spinach, floor meat, sausage, prosciutto and even some tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
- Crunchier: Roll the rice balls in a mix of bread crumbs and Panko breadcrumbs for a bit extra texture and crunch.
- Air fryer arancini: As a substitute of baking, attempt making Italian rice balls within the air fryer! Organize the arancini in a single layer within the air fryer basket, spray with olive oil and air fry for five minutes. Fastidiously flip the rice balls, spray with oil once more and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
Suggestions for the perfect italian baked arancini
- Risotto balls: It’s also possible to use leftover risotto to make these into baked risotto balls.
- Gruyere cheese: As a substitute of gruyere cheese, use mozzarella.
- Customise the flavour: Conventional arancini balls include meat and greens within the heart. I made a easy model with herbs and cheese, however you possibly can add spinach, floor meat, sausage, prosciutto and even some tomato sauce or diced tomatoes.
- Crunchier: Roll the rice balls in a mix of bread crumbs and Panko breadcrumbs for a bit extra texture and crunch.
- Air fryer arancini: As a substitute of baking, attempt making Italian rice balls within the air fryer! Organize the arancini in a single layer within the air fryer basket, spray with olive oil and air fry for five minutes. Fastidiously flip the rice balls, spray with oil once more and air fry for an additional 5 minutes.
Make Forward and Freezing Italian Rice Balls
- Make forward: Kind the rice balls as much as a day forward of time and place within the fridge lined till able to bake. Deliver to room temperature, bake and revel in.
- Freeze Italian rice balls: Assemble rice balls (or risotto balls) then flash freeze in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet till frozen. Place in a freezer secure bag and retailer frozen for 3 months. Thaw frozen arancini earlier than baking.
- Reheating: In case you have leftovers, retailer within the fridge then reheat within the oven, air fryer or within the microwave.
Extra Risotto and Rice Recipes to Attempt
If you end up with some leftover rice, then I might undoubtedly give these baked rice balls a attempt! Buon Appetito.
- 1½ cups leftover rice (you may as well use leftover risotto)
- 1 tablespoon recent minced parsley
- ¾-1 cup parmigiano freshly grated
- 1-2 giant eggs (is determined by how moist the rice is)
EXTRAS
- ¼-½ cup bread crumbs (extra if wanted)
- 1 small recent mozzarella / fontina (cubed)
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
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In a big bowl add the rice, parsley, Parmigiano and egg (begin with one egg) and mix to type a compact combination.
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Into the palm of your hand measure out roughly (you may put on gloves in the event you desire) roughly 1 heaping tablespoon of the rice combination (you may make them smaller if you want), within the center place a dice of mozzarella, mould the rice combination right into a spherical ball, ensuring that the mozzarella is totally lined (you’ll in all probability want a bit extra rice combination to shut it fully). Place the balls on a clear plate till all are fashioned.
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On a clear plate place the bread crumbs and roll every ball within the crumbs. Place the rice balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, and chill whereas the oven is pre-heating, roughly 15-20 minutes.
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Pre-heat oven to 400F/200C.
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Drizzle the rice balls with olive oil and bake for roughly 25 minutes or till golden brown. Serve instantly.
Make Forward and Freezing Italian Rice Balls
Make forward: Kind the rice balls as much as a day forward of time and place within the fridge lined till able to bake. Deliver to room temperature, bake and revel in.
Freeze Italian rice balls: Assemble rice balls (or risotto balls) then flash freeze in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet till frozen. Place in a freezer secure bag and retailer frozen for 3 months. Thaw frozen arancini earlier than baking.
Reheating: In case you have leftovers, retailer within the fridge then reheat within the oven, air fryer or within the microwave.
Energy: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 10g | Fats: 9g | Saturated Fats: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 4g | Trans Fats: 0.004g | Ldl cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 279IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 259mg | Iron: 1mg | Phosphorus: 189mg
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