Air-Fryer Rice Balls: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Yes, you can make rice balls in an air fryer! This cooking method is a healthier alternative to deep-frying, resulting in a crispy, golden, and guilt-free snack. Arancini, or Italian rice balls, are a popular street food in Sicily that can be easily made at home with an air fryer. They are typically made with cooked rice or risotto, bread crumbs, flour, cheese, and various seasonings, shaped into balls, and then air-fried to perfection.

How to make rice balls

Rice balls, or arancini, are a popular Italian street food that can be made in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them.

Ingredients:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need cooked rice or risotto, bread crumbs, all-purpose flour, corn flour, onion, garlic, bell pepper, crushed pepper flakes, oil, and mozzarella cheese. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare the Rice:

To make the rice balls, start by mashing the cooked rice or risotto until it becomes a very soft mush. If you are using leftover rice, warm it up slightly to make it easier to mash.

Sauté the Vegetables:

In a small pan, add oil and sauté the onion, bell peppers, and any desired seasonings until the vegetables are soft. Allow this mixture to cool down, and then add it to the mashed rice.

Mix and Shape the Rice Balls:

Add corn flour, all-purpose flour, and bread crumbs to the rice mixture and combine well. Take a handful of the mixture and shape it into a ball with your palm.

Stuff the Rice Balls:

If desired, you can stuff the rice balls with cheese. Take a piece of mozzarella and stuff it inside the rice ball, ensuring that it is closed tightly.

Prepare the Breading Station:

Set up a breading station by creating a batter in one bowl and a bread crumb coating in another. For the batter, combine all-purpose flour, corn flour, salt, pepper, and water. Mix well to form a thick batter. For the coating, prepare a plate with seasoned bread crumbs.

Coat the Rice Balls:

Dip each rice ball into the batter and coat it evenly. Then, transfer it to the bread crumbs and roll it around to coat the surface.

Air Fry the Rice Balls:

Preheat your air fryer to 360-370°F (187°C). Place the prepared rice balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other. Lightly spray the rice balls with oil.

Air fry the rice balls for about 6 minutes, then check and shake the basket to rotate them. Continue air frying for another 6-12 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. The cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer and the size of the rice balls.

Serve:

Serve your air-fried rice balls hot with a side of marinara sauce or other dips of your choice. Enjoy!

How to air fry rice balls

Air fryer rice balls, or arancini, are a tasty snack that can be prepared and cooked in under an hour. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of cooked rice or risotto
• Breadcrumbs
• All-purpose flour
• Cornflour/corn starch
• Onion
• Bell pepper
• Crushed pepper flakes
• Oil
• Mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper
• Butter (optional)
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Italian seasoning (optional)

Method:

Firstly, cook your rice or risotto and let it cool. Then, in a pan, sauté your onion and bell peppers in oil until soft. You can also add salt and pepper to taste. Once cooked, let the mixture cool and then add it to the rice or risotto, along with cornflour/corn starch and breadcrumbs. Mix well.

Next, take a handful of the mixture and form a ball with your palm. Poke a hole in the centre and stuff with a small piece of mozzarella cheese. Seal the ball tightly so that the cheese does not ooze out during cooking. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used up.

Now, prepare your breading station. In one bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cornflour/corn starch, salt and pepper, and add water to form a thick batter. In a separate bowl or plate, add breadcrumbs and season if needed. Dip each rice ball into the batter and coat evenly, then roll in the breadcrumbs.

Preheat your air fryer to between 360-380°F and place the rice balls inside in a single layer. Lightly spray the balls with oil and air fry for around 6 minutes. Then, shake the basket to rotate the balls and air fry for another 6 minutes. The rice balls are cooked when they are golden brown and crispy.

Your air fryer rice balls are now ready to serve! They can be enjoyed as a snack or appetiser, and are best served hot with a side of marinara sauce or tomato sauce for dipping.

Tips:

• You can also add garlic, crushed red peppers, and other vegetables like peas, spinach, or mushrooms to the mixture for extra flavour.
• If you want to freeze your rice balls for later, place them on a tray and freeze for a couple of hours until hard. Then, transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. When ready to cook, place the frozen balls directly into the air fryer and cook for a few minutes longer than usual.
• To achieve a crispy exterior, ensure you follow the breading process diligently by coating the balls in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs in succession.

What to serve with rice balls

Rice balls, or arancini, are a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetiser, or side. They are a great option for a party or holiday, and can be served with a variety of dips and side dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with rice balls:

Dips

• Marinara sauce: A classic pairing, the tangy and sweet flavours of marinara sauce complement the rice balls perfectly.
• Pesto: A tasty alternative to marinara, pesto adds a fresh and aromatic touch.
• Meat sauce: For a heartier meal, pair rice balls with a meat sauce for a more substantial dish.

Side Dishes

• Lemon garlic roasted vegetables: Bright and zesty, lemon garlic roasted vegetables add a lively contrast to the creamy rice balls.
• Caprese salad: Fresh and vibrant, this classic summer dish is a perfect light pairing.
• Creamy polenta: Warm and comforting, polenta pairs seamlessly with the crispy rice balls, especially on chilly nights.
• Garlic Parmesan green beans: A classic side, green beans amplified with garlic and Parmesan add a crunchy and savoury element.
• Caesar salad: Crisp and creamy, a Caesar salad is a refreshing option to balance the richness of the rice balls.
• Roasted red pepper soup: Creamy and smoky, this soup is a comforting choice that pairs well with the rice balls.
• Spinach and artichoke dip: A creamy and cheesy dip is a great way to make rice balls more interactive and fun.

Drinks

• Ice tea (unsweetened): A refreshing drink to accompany rice balls, especially during the summer.
• Chrysanthemum honey tea: A sweet and flavourful tea that can complement the flavours of the rice balls.

Other Snacks

• Finger foods: Cold karaage or other finger foods can be a great addition to a spread featuring rice balls.
• Fruit: Plums, peaches, berries, or grapes can be a refreshing and healthy option to serve alongside rice balls.

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless! Get creative and enjoy experimenting with different pairings to find your favourite combinations.

How to store rice balls

Storing rice balls depends on the type of rice used and the filling inside. Here are some tips on how to store rice balls:

Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)

Onigiri are best eaten fresh, but they can be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator if necessary. Here are some tips for storing onigiri:

• Use Japanese medium-grain rice (uruchi-mai) or sushi rice. Other types of rice may not stay moist enough.
• Make sure the rice is still hot when shaping the onigiri, not cooled or room temperature.
• Wrap the onigiri completely in plastic wrap before storing in the refrigerator to prevent the surface from drying out.
• Onigiri filled with salty ingredients, such as umeboshi (pickled plum), can be kept at room temperature for a few hours if they are kept reasonably cool and out of direct sunlight.
• If the onigiri will not be eaten for a long time, use fillings with long keeping qualities, such as umeboshi, instead of tuna-mayo or Spam.
• Onigiri can be frozen and then defrosted in the microwave when needed.
• If the onigiri has dried out, it can be turned into yaki onigiri or ochazuke.

Arancini (Italian Rice Balls)

Arancini can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. They can also be frozen and then reheated in the air fryer when needed. Here are some more specific instructions for storing arancini:

• Allow the arancini to cool to room temperature before storing.
• Reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5-7 minutes.
• To freeze, place the arancini on a tray and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for about 3 months.
• To reheat from frozen, air fry at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 18 minutes.

Variations of rice balls

Rice balls, or onigiri, are a versatile food that can be adapted to suit different tastes and requirements. They can be made with a variety of fillings and are a great way to use up leftover rice. Here are some variations to try:

Onigiri Fillings

Onigiri fillings can be savoury or sweet and range from traditional to modern. Some popular options include:

• Tuna mayo
• Grilled salmon flakes
• Pickled plum (umeboshi)
• Mentaiko (seasoned cod roe)
• Yaki onigiri (grilled rice balls brushed with soy sauce)
• Dried bonito flakes
• Chicken and vegetables
• Egg yolk and soy sauce
• Korean barbecued beef (kalbi)
• Japanese curry

Arancini

Arancini are Italian rice balls that are typically deep-fried, but can also be made in an air fryer for a healthier option. They are made with risotto rice and typically contain cheese, such as mozzarella or parmesan. Arancini can be customised with different fillings and seasonings. Here are some ideas:

• Meat: try adding cooked ground Italian sausage, ground beef, diced salami or pepperoni.
• Vegetables: peas, diced onion, mushrooms, tomato, bell pepper or spinach are all popular choices.
• Cheese: while mozzarella and parmesan are popular choices, you could experiment with other varieties of cheese.

Frequently asked questions