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.
More Air Fryer Recipes
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