Cheesy Italian Arancini Balls {Italian Rice Balls} - Mess for Less (2024)

What are arancini balls

They are a delicious meal that hails from Sicily and are 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.

Ingredients

• white rice
• Parmesan cheese or parmigiano reggiano
• shredded mozzarella
• eggs
• kosher salt
• black pepper
• oregano
• seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
• vegetable oil
• marinara sauce

How do you 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 actually 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.

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.

What do you serve with arancini?

They work well with any Italian dish. I like to serve with chicken parm, or a pasta dish for an all out carb fest!

How long can you store rice balls in the refrigerator?

You can refrigerate them for up to 3 days.

Can you freeze fried arancini balls?

You can freeze these by wrapping them in plastic wrap and placing in a container. They can remain in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can you reheat arancini?

You can reheat these in the microwave for a few minutes.

How can I get the rice to stick together?

The egg and breadcrumbs should hold the rice balls together. If you still have problems, you can place the balls into the refrigerator or freezer for about 10 minutes so they can firm up and stay together when placed in the oil.