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Home » Appetizers

Published: Aug 7, 2020 · Modified: Nov 26, 2021 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Air Fryer Arancini | Italian Rice Balls

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Air fried rice balls with text on the image

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.

Air fried arancini in a plate served with marinara sauce

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 had ordered 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 balls 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 is prepared throughout the island and is 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. 

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What is in the shape

I also learned that based on the way they are shaped they are defined and called either in 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 these, I should be calling them “Arancine”. The name arancini is derived from the Italian word Arancia which is the orange.

Holding an arancini ball in hand and more arancini in background

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.

Ingredients to make Arancini

For the breading

breading ingredients for rice balls

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)

Process shot to make dough for arancini

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 (step 7 & 8). 

Process shot to shape the rice balls

Repeat the same with the entire mixture and keep it aside.

Now form a breading station.

Breading station for rice balls

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 ball into the batter and coat it evenly (step 1). 

Process shot to bread the Arancini

Now transfer this to the bread crumbs and roll it around to coat the surface. (step 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. hake the basket to rotate the balls and then let it air fry for 6 more minutes.

cooked arancini in air fryer

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 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!

air fried Italian rice balls arranged in a plate with marinara sauce in bowl

Expert Tips 

  • 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. 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

Should I use risotto or rice?

Risotto works great to make the arancini, but I used the 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 that made it chewy in the center.

Can I make the arancini eggless?

Absolutely, I made this eggless using flour as my batter and it works very well.

What cheese to use to stuff the arancini?

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.

Can I air fry the Arancini?

Absolutely. I have updated the recipe and pictures using an air fryer. The Air Fryer Arancini taste just the same and makes it a guilt free way to enjoy them.

How to freeze the Arancini?

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 it for 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 on to the basket of air fryer and cook. It might take longer than mentioned to air fry the Arancini when starting from frozen.

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • Spicy Fried Tofu Recipe | Air Fryer Tofu Stir Fry
  • Bitter Gourd Chips in Air Fryer
  • Gobi Manchurian | Cauliflower Manchurian
  • Vendakkai Pachadi | Okra Raita | Air-Fried Okra In Yogurt

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below.
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Arancini | Air Fryer Arancini | Cheese stuffed Italian Rice Balls

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. 
5 from 18 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Italian, Sicilian
Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 20 pieces
Calories: 95kcal
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

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

Expert Tips 
  • 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Risotto or Rice - Risotto works great to make the arancini, but I used the 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 that made it chewy in the center.
Can I make them egg less - Absolutely,  I made this egg less using flour as my batter and it worked very well.
What cheese to stuff - 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. 
Can I air fry the Arancini - Absolutely. I have updated the recipe and pictures using an air fryer. The Air Fryer Arancini  taste just the same and makes it a guilt free way to enjoy them. 
Can I freeze the Arancini - 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 it for 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 on to the basket of air fryer and cook. It might take longer than mentioned to air fry the Arancini when starting from frozen. 

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 216IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
« Paal Poli | Sweetened Milk Poori Recipe
Vendakkai Pachadi | Okra Raita | Air-Fried Okra In Yogurt »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie Cantin says

    February 13, 2021 at 8:32 am

    These sound delicious. Can I air fry the day before a party and then reheat in the oven??? Thanks.
    Marie

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      February 15, 2021 at 10:11 am

      Absolutely! You can freeze them and then reheat in the air fryer again to make it crispy. Oven might not work as well.

      Reply
  2. Carol Drury says

    January 16, 2021 at 9:52 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      January 16, 2021 at 10:04 am

      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.

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    November 27, 2020 at 3:56 pm

    Can you use eggs instead of the flour mixture?

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      December 01, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Yes Amanda, that should work.

      Reply
  4. Jeannette says

    September 08, 2020 at 4:21 pm

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      September 09, 2020 at 6:53 pm

      Jeannette, one recipe that I love using the air fryer for. I always have left over rice too and this works great.

      Reply
  5. rika says

    September 08, 2020 at 4:13 pm

    5 stars
    I love aranchini and this guilt-free appertizer is perfect for my family! Yum!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      September 09, 2020 at 6:54 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  6. Jessica Formicola says

    September 08, 2020 at 3:47 pm

    5 stars
    This arancini is perfection! My whole family loved them when I made them with dinner!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      September 08, 2020 at 3:49 pm

      Thank you Jessica!

      Reply
  7. Andrea Metlika says

    September 08, 2020 at 3:46 pm

    5 stars
    Yay for air fryer recipes! I cannot wait to make these. They sound marvelous!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      September 08, 2020 at 3:49 pm

      Thanks Andrea! You will love them.

      Reply
  8. Beth says

    September 08, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    These look so delicious and tasty! I can't wait to make this! My family is going to love these!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      September 08, 2020 at 3:43 pm

      Thanks Beth! These are delicious and guilt free since they are air fried.

      Reply
  9. sapana says

    August 22, 2020 at 2:48 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  10. Padma Veeranki says

    August 21, 2020 at 4:16 pm

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  11. Sangeetha Iyer says

    August 20, 2020 at 6:28 pm

    5 stars
    Very flavorful! Loved all the little tips too...useful. Arancini with a teaspoon of oil? Perfect!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      August 27, 2020 at 10:56 am

      Thanks! I love the air fryer recipe as wel. Definitely make it more often now.

      Reply
  12. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says

    August 20, 2020 at 2:51 am

    We love to gorge on these delicious arancini, and now enjoy more as these can be made in air-fryer. Super share

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      August 27, 2020 at 10:56 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  13. Archana says

    August 19, 2020 at 4:28 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  14. Uma Srinivas says

    August 18, 2020 at 8:58 pm

    5 stars
    Who doesnt like healthy, guilt free snack? Arancini looks so delicious. Thank you for the air fryer version.

    Reply
  15. Lata Lala says

    August 18, 2020 at 9:00 am

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply
  16. Pavani says

    August 16, 2020 at 7:01 pm

    5 stars
    Wow, those crispy and delicious arancini looks so inviting. Love that they can be air fried - will try this recipe for my kids sometime.

    Reply
  17. Bless my food by Payal says

    August 16, 2020 at 5:02 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious looking and most healthy being airfried. Thank you for introducing us to the lipsmacking Italian recipe.

    Reply
  18. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

    August 14, 2020 at 4:20 am

    5 stars
    I love arancini and airfrying sounds like a fab idea too.

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      August 15, 2020 at 11:04 am

      Thanks Amanda!

      Reply
  19. Alexandra says

    August 14, 2020 at 3:03 am

    5 stars
    These are so delicious! And doing them in the air fryer is so clever! Yum!

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      August 15, 2020 at 11:04 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  20. Sadia Malik says

    August 14, 2020 at 1:10 am

    like how you air fried the balls no extra oil

    Reply
    • Sandhya Ramakrishnan says

      August 15, 2020 at 11:04 am

      Thanks! It does make it guilt free indulgence 🙂

      Reply
  21. veenaazmanov says

    August 14, 2020 at 12:10 am

    Delicious and cheesy. I love that it is so easy to make and yet a yummy snack option too.

    Reply
  22. Anita says

    August 13, 2020 at 11:43 pm

    5 stars
    These are delicious. And using an air-fryer makes the effort so much easier than the usual way to prepare arancini.

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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