Arancini or Italian Rice Balls is a very popular street food in Sicily. The classic traditional deep-fried recipe gets a makeover by being air fried to make it a healthier and guilt-free snack/appetizer.
Arancini or in simpler words, the Italian Rice balls or Risotto Balls is a common street food in Sicily. Although a very popular street food this also is a great recipe for an appetizer or a small plate. During my recent trip to one of the restaurant chains, I ordered a couple of small plate samplings and one of the dishes in that was the Arancini. Crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside texture makes the dish very unique.
What is Arancini
In simpler words, Arancini is a cheese-stuffed rice ball that is breaded and fried. The traditionally deep-fried recipe gets a makeover in the Air Fryer to make it healthier and guilt-free.
Arancini are prepared throughout the island and are a very common site in a local Sicilian deli or from a roadside vendor. They are shaped, packed, and stuffed differently in different parts of the region.
What is in the shape
I also learned that based on the way they are shaped they are defined and called either a feminine name or a masculine name. In the western regions, they have a spherical shape and are called the “arancine” (female form). In the Eastern regions, they are shaped in a conical form and are called “arancini” (the male form).
So, based on the way shaped, I should be calling them “Arancine”. The name arancini are derived from the Italian word Arancia which is the orange.
Ingredients Needed
To make the rice balls
Cooked rice or risotto, bread crumbs, all-purpose flour, corn flour
To saute - Onion, garlic, bell pepper, crushed pepper flakes, oil
Salt and pepper
Mozzarella cheese - either string cheese or cheese balls to stuff inside.
For the breading
Step-by-Step Process
Mash the cooked rice or risotto to a very soft mush and keep it aside. Using a potato masher or a flat heavy spoon works well to mash. Also if using leftover rice, warm it up a bit to help mash it easily.
In a small pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté the onion and bell peppers until soft (step 1). Also, add the needed salt and crushed red peppers in it when cooking. (step 2)
Cool it down a bit and then add this vegetable mixture to the mashed rice (step 3). Add the corn flour, all-purpose flour, and bread crumbs and mix well. (step 4)
Take a handful of this mixture and make a ball with your palm (step 5). Stuff a piece of mozzarella inside the ball (step 6) and close it well to form a tight ball (steps 7 & 8).
Repeat the same with the entire mixture and keep it aside.
Now form a breading station.
Batter Bowl - In a wide bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, corn flour, salt, and pepper and add about ¼ cup of water. Mix it well to form a thick batter.
Bread crumbs bowl - In another wide plate, add the bread crumbs and season it (if needed).
Dip each of the formed rice balls into the batter and coat it evenly (step 1).
Now transfer this to the bread crumbs and roll it around to coat the surface. (steps 2 & 3)
Layer all the prepared ones in a tray and keep them ready to deep fry or Air fry. At this stage, you could also freeze them to fry later. (step 4)
To Air Fry the Rice Balls
Turn the air fryer on and set it at 360 F. Let it pre-heat for about 3 minutes.
Layer the prepared Arancini / Rice balls in a single layer and lightly spray with oil.
Let it air fry for about 6 minutes and then check the rice balls. Shake the basket to rotate the balls and then let it air fry for 6 more minutes.
Depending on the model of the air fryer and how many Italian rice balls we have or the size of the balls, it might take slightly longer or a lesser time. The Air fryer Arancini balls are done when they are evenly golden brown and crispy.
To Deep Fry Italian rice balls
Heat about 2 inches of oil in a wide
Once the oil heats up slowly drop 2 or 3 balls into the oil and fry until evenly brown on all sides. The oil should be just the right temperature to allow cooking the balls to become crispy on the outside and melt the mozzarella slightly inside.
Serve hot as is or with some marinara sauce on the side!
How to serve Arancini?
Arancini is a great appetizer choice served as is with a side of some kind of tomato sauce. I love blending my Oven roasted tomato sauce to a smoother texture and using it as a dipping sauce.
If planning an Italian meal, then start the menu with Arancini as the appetizer. The main course could be Minestrone soup or the delicious Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna roll-ups.
And finish the meal with this delicious Budino (Italian Pudding) or Zeppole.
Expert Tips
- Leftover rice works great for this recipe.
- Adding onions and bell pepper is optional but adds a great flavor.
- Season the ingredients at every stage. Check to see if the bread crumbs need seasoning or use seasoned bread crumbs.
- When breading the Arancini, I would suggest using the left hand for the batter and the right hand for the bread crumbs. This way we can keep the wet and dry separately and not make it messy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Risotto works great to make the arancini, but I used regular rice to make them. The only difference that I found from the restaurant one is that mine was a little softer in the middle when compared to the ones made with the risotto which made it chewy in the center.
Absolutely, I made this eggless using flour as my batter and it works very well.
I used mozzarella string cheese to stuff inside my Air fryer arancini. Fresh mozzarella balls would be a great choice as well. If you don't have cheese, feel free to skip them as well.
Absolutely. I have updated the recipe and pictures using an air fryer. The Air Fryer Arancini taste just the same, making it a guilt-free way to enjoy them.
You can easily freeze the prepared arancini balls and then air fry or deep fry them when ready. Once the Rice balls are shaped and breaded, place them on a tray and freeze them for a couple of hours. They would become hard by then. Transfer the frozen balls into a freezer bag and freeze them for about 3 months. When ready, place the balls directly onto the basket of the air fryer and cook. It might take longer than mentioned to air fry the Arancini when starting from frozen.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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Recipe
Arancini | Air Fryer Arancini | Cheese stuffed Italian Rice Balls
Ingredients
To make the rice balls
- 2 cups Cooked rice or risotto I used rice
- ¼ cup Bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoon All purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon Corn starch
- 1 small Onion finely chopped
- 1 Bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Crushed pepper flakes
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Oil
- 5 Mozzarella cheese stick cut into 1 inch piece
For the breading
- 1 cup Bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoon All purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon Corn starch
- as needed Water to make a batter
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Mash the cooked rice or risotto to a very soft mush and keep it aside. Using a potato masher or a flat heavy spoon works well to mash. Also if using leftover rice, warm it up a bit to help mash it easily.
- In a small pan, add 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté the onion and bell peppers until soft. Also add the needed salt and crushed red peppers in it when cooking.
- Cool it down a bit and then add this vegetable mixture to the mashed rice. Add the corn flour, all purpose flour and bread crumbs and mix well.
- Take a handful of this mixture and make a ball with your palm. Stuff a piece of mozzarella inside the ball and close it well to form a tight ball. Do the same to the whole mixture and keep it aside.
- Now form a breading station. In a wide bowl, combine the all purpose flour, corn flour, salt and pepper and add about ¼ cup of water. Mix it well to form a thick batter. In another wide plate, add the bread crumbs and season it (if needed).
- Dip each of the formed rice ball into the batter and coat it evenly.
- Now transfer this to the bread crumbs and roll it around to coat the surface. I would suggest using the left hand for the batter and the right hand for the bread crumbs, just to keep the wet and dry separately and not make it messy. Layer all the prepared ones in a tray and keep them ready to deep fry or Air fry. At this stage you could also freeze them to fry later.
To Air Fry the Rice Balls
- Turn the air fryer on and set it at 360 F. Let it pre-heat for about 3 minutes.
- Layer the prepared Arancini / Rice balls in a single layer and lightly spray with oil.
- Let it air fry for about 6 minutes and then check the rice balls. hake the basket to rotate the balls and then let it air fry for 6 more minutes.
- Depending on the model of the air fryer and how many balls we have or the size of the balls, it might take slightly longer or lesser time. The Air fryer Arancini balls are done when they are evenly golden brown and crispy.
To Deep Fry
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a wide
- Once the oil heats up slowly drop 2 or 3 balls into the oil and fry until evenly brown on all sides. The oil should be just the right temperature to allow cooking the balls to become crispy on the outside and melt the mozzarella slightly inside.
- Serve hot as is or with some marinara sauce on the side!
Notes
- Left over rice works great for this recipe.
- Adding onions and bell pepper is optional but adds a great flavor.
- Season the ingredients at every stage. heck to see if the bread crumbs need seasoning or use seasoned bread crumbs.
- When breading the Arancini, I would suggest using the left hand for the batter and the right hand for the bread crumbs. This way we can keep the wet and dry separately and not make it messy.
Paul Cacciatore says
Is it "corn Starch" or "corn Flour" they are different
Laura Arteaga says
My kids love croquettes so we will be definitely trying this recipe soon, it looks absolutely tasty and quite easy to make. Step by step photos make this recipe really easy to follow!
Jenny says
We love making arancini as an appetizer for guests. I really like how easy your recipe is and foolproof. Thank you!
Lauren Michael Harris says
I just love arancini, but had never tried making them in the air fryer before. They turned out just as tasty and I love they are a bit healthier to enjoy now!
NATALIA says
So glad I've found your recipe. I recently bought an air fryer and was looking for recipes to try and this sounds perfect. My son loves rice balls! Thanks for sharing!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
These may be meant as a side but they definitely were a meal for me! We loved them!!! Such amazing flavors!
Hayley Dhanecha says
These no egg arancini are my favourite Italian starter. Such a tasty and easy recipe using air fryer.
Jacqueline Debono says
My hubby is Sicilian, from Catania. We go there often and always have arancini at one of the many 'tavola calda' cafes. At home, I often use leftover cooked risotto to make them. I haven't tried using the air fryer but definitely will. Yours look very good!
veenaazmanov says
Air Fryer cooking sounds healthier. Love the idea of using leftover rice too. Perfect snack option too.
Megan says
Absolutely delicious with easy to follow instructions - this will be on our regular rotation!
Sharon says
I love arancini but I do not like frying them so this recipe for making them in the air fryer saved me that step.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
I am the same. It is just too messy to fry the arancini. Love my air fryer 🙂
Heather says
I made these and froze them for a dinner party at a later date. I have air fried so far up to 18 minutes and the outside is crispy (although not really brown) but the cheese is still jump a lump in the center and not melted. It’s warm in the center. Do I just keep air frying for longer?
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Heather, Air fry them longer. It takes quite a long time when we fry them from frozen state. The color is a good indication. If browning too quickly and the inside is still not melting, then reduce the temperature and fry longer.
Betsy says
I lived in Naples twice. I've also been to Sicily several times. On the way home from work we'd buy "roadside" roasted chicken and arancini. Best dinner ever. The ones in Naples have peas in them. I'm going to try cheddar as we're glamping and that is what I have. Thanks for the temp and time.
Marie Cantin says
These sound delicious. Can I air fry the day before a party and then reheat in the oven??? Thanks.
Marie
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Absolutely! You can freeze them and then reheat in the air fryer again to make it crispy. Oven might not work as well.
Carol Drury says
I want to make these today but I am confused on what to buy. Your recipe says to use corn flour but your pictures label corn starch. Which one should I use?
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Hi Carol, please use corn starch. In India, the corn flour and corn starch are the same. I will change it in the recipe card. Thanks for letting me know.
Amanda says
Can you use eggs instead of the flour mixture?
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Yes Amanda, that should work.
Jeannette says
I LOVE arancini balls, and this air fryer version is so friendly to make! Using leftover rice is the best idea because we always have that. Thanks for sharing!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Jeannette, one recipe that I love using the air fryer for. I always have left over rice too and this works great.
rika says
I love aranchini and this guilt-free appertizer is perfect for my family! Yum!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks!
Jessica Formicola says
This arancini is perfection! My whole family loved them when I made them with dinner!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thank you Jessica!
Andrea Metlika says
Yay for air fryer recipes! I cannot wait to make these. They sound marvelous!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Andrea! You will love them.
Beth says
These look so delicious and tasty! I can't wait to make this! My family is going to love these!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Beth! These are delicious and guilt free since they are air fried.
sapana says
I have always wanted to make risotto balls, making them in air fryer makes is a totally guilt free snack. I will definitely try them.
Padma Veeranki says
Who can say no to such a healthy, guilt free snack? Arancini looks so delicious....So crisp from outside and Love that you have used the air fryer option.
Sangeetha Iyer says
Very flavorful! Loved all the little tips too...useful. Arancini with a teaspoon of oil? Perfect!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks! I love the air fryer recipe as wel. Definitely make it more often now.
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
We love to gorge on these delicious arancini, and now enjoy more as these can be made in air-fryer. Super share
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks!
Archana says
Air frying Arancini is an amazing idea. Atleast now my guilt trip of eating cheese and rice and oil is cut down by 50%. 😀 Love the idea hopefully will use the airfryer more as a useful item now than a dust collecting model. Thanks.
Uma Srinivas says
Who doesnt like healthy, guilt free snack? Arancini looks so delicious. Thank you for the air fryer version.
Lata Lala says
Airfried ARANCINI, Italian rice balls is a perfect healthy snack to munch on when you crave something delicious.
These look super tempting and no one would say no to this.
Pavani says
Wow, those crispy and delicious arancini looks so inviting. Love that they can be air fried - will try this recipe for my kids sometime.
Bless my food by Payal says
Absolutely delicious looking and most healthy being airfried. Thank you for introducing us to the lipsmacking Italian recipe.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
I love arancini and airfrying sounds like a fab idea too.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks Amanda!
Alexandra says
These are so delicious! And doing them in the air fryer is so clever! Yum!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thank you!
Sadia Malik says
like how you air fried the balls no extra oil
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
Thanks! It does make it guilt free indulgence 🙂
veenaazmanov says
Delicious and cheesy. I love that it is so easy to make and yet a yummy snack option too.
Anita says
These are delicious. And using an air-fryer makes the effort so much easier than the usual way to prepare arancini.