Tiffany Haney
Air fryers are a great alternative to frying rice balls, also known as arancini, which are a popular Italian street food. The process of making rice balls in an air fryer is simple and easy. First, the rice balls are shaped and breaded, then placed in the air fryer basket and cooked for about 10-15 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The air fryer's hot air cooks the rice balls to a deep-fried texture without using as much oil, making them a healthier option. This method of cooking rice balls is not only delicious but also a convenient way to make an appetizer or side dish for an Italian-inspired meal.
How to cook rice balls in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Rice, Breadcrumbs, Eggs, Cheese, Olive Oil Spray, Salt, Pepper, Butter, Onion, Garlic, Chicken Broth, Flour |
| Preparation | Mix rice with other ingredients, roll into balls, coat with flour, egg and breadcrumbs, spray with olive oil |
| Cooking Time | 6-9 minutes at 370-400°F (187-200°C), turn halfway through |
| Serving Suggestions | Marinara Sauce, Meat Sauce, Pesto, Sour Cream |
| Notes | Rice balls can be frozen before cooking, cook from frozen for longer |
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What You'll Learn
Pre-cooking the rice
To make rice balls in an air fryer, you'll first need to cook the rice. While leftover rice works great for this recipe, if you're cooking your rice from scratch, here's what you need to do.
First, melt some butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Then, add some diced onion and cook for around 3 minutes until softened. Next, add some crushed garlic and cook for a further 30 seconds to a minute. Now, stir in the rice and cook for another minute, then add your choice of stock or chicken broth. Cover the saucepan and cook on low for around 20 minutes, stirring frequently and adding more stock as it gets absorbed, until the rice is tender and creamy.
Once the rice is cooked, pour it onto a plate and spread it out to cool. If you're making cheese-stuffed rice balls, cut some string cheese into small pieces and press a piece into the centre of each ball of rice, reshaping the ball so that the cheese is enclosed. If you're making spicy rice balls, add a tablespoon of 'nduja paste to the cooked rice.
Now your rice is cooked and shaped, it's ready to be breaded and placed in the air fryer.
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Shaping the balls
Shaping the rice balls is an important step in the cooking process. Arancini, or fried rice balls, can be shaped in two ways, depending on the region of Sicily they are from. In the western regions, they are spherical and called "arancine" (the female form), while in the eastern regions, they are shaped in a conical form and are called "arancini" (the male form).
When shaping the rice balls, it is helpful to keep your hands wet, as the rice is sticky. Form the rice into a ball, then poke a piece of cheese into the centre. Ensure the ball is tight so that the cheese does not ooze out during cooking. You can also add a cube of mozzarella to the centre of each ball and reshape it around the cheese.
The size of the balls will also affect the cooking time. For example, smaller balls may cook faster, while larger balls may require more time in the air fryer. It is important to ensure that the rice balls are evenly coated and holding their shape well before placing them in the air fryer.
Once you have shaped the rice balls, you can proceed to the next step of preparing them for cooking in the air fryer.
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Coating the balls
Coating the rice balls is an important step in achieving that signature crispy texture and golden colour. The traditional method involves a simple flour, egg, and breadcrumb coating. First, roll each rice ball in flour, ensuring an even coat. Next, dip each ball into a beaten egg, and finally, roll them in breadcrumbs. You can use fresh, dried, or panko breadcrumbs, and even add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for extra flavour. Make sure the rice balls are well-coated and holding their shape before placing them in the air fryer.
If you're making arancini, a classic Italian rice ball, you can add cheese to the coating. After rolling the balls in flour, dip them into a bowl of beaten egg, and then roll them in a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. You can also add other cheeses, like Italian cheese sprinkle, to the rice mixture before forming it into balls.
For a gluten-free alternative, you can use corn flour instead of wheat flour. This will create a crisp coating without the gluten. You can also experiment with different types of breadcrumbs, such as gluten-free or seasoned varieties, to find your preferred taste and texture.
Once the rice balls are coated, you can place them directly into the air fryer. However, if you have the time, chilling the coated balls before frying can help them hold their shape better. Place the coated balls on a tray and chill them in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. This extra step will ensure that your rice balls don't fall apart during frying, resulting in a neater appearance and easier handling.
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Frying the balls
Set the air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes suggest cooking the rice balls at temperatures between 187°C and 200°C (370°F to 400°F). The cooking time varies depending on the temperature and the size of the balls, but it generally takes around 6 to 15 minutes. For example, one source recommends cooking the balls at 190°C for 10 to 15 minutes, while another suggests cooking them at 400°C for 7 to 9 minutes.
Halfway through the cooking time, turn the rice balls to ensure even cooking. The balls are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, with slightly melted cheese on the inside. Serve them hot with a dipping sauce like marinara, pesto, or meat sauce.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer rice balls, also known as arancini, are a delicious and healthier alternative to deep-fried rice balls. They are a great appetizer or side dish and can be served with a variety of sauces and dips. Here are some serving suggestions for these crispy, golden treats:
Dipping Sauces
Arancini are commonly served with a dipping sauce on the side. Some popular options include:
- Marinara sauce or any tomato-based sauce
- Pesto
- Meat sauce
- Sour cream
As an Appetizer
Air fryer arancini can be a tasty and elegant start to an Italian-inspired meal. Serve them as an appetizer with a side of marinara or tomato sauce for dipping. You can even blend your own oven-roasted tomato sauce for a smoother texture.
Main Course Ideas
If serving air fryer rice balls as a side dish, they pair well with Italian-inspired main courses:
- Minestrone soup
- Spinach and ricotta lasagna roll-ups
- Baja fish taco rice bowl
- Tuna chipotle meatballs and rice
Dessert Options
For a complete meal, finish with a delicious dessert. Some air fryer dessert options include:
- Apple crumble with dried berries, cherries, or sultanas, served with vanilla ice cream or custard
- Double chocolate brownies made with dark and white chocolate chips
Variations
You can also get creative and experiment with different variations of air fryer rice balls:
- Spicy arancini: Add a tablespoon of 'nduja paste to the cooked rice for a kick.
- Cheese-stuffed arancini: Arancini is traditionally made with cheese-stuffed rice balls, so feel free to add some mozzarella or another type of cheese to the center of your rice balls.
- Different shapes: In Sicily, arancini are shaped either spherically (called "arancine," the female form) or conically (called "arancini," the male form). Experiment with different shapes and sizes to make your arancini unique.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook rice balls at around 180-200°C for 6-10 minutes.
Using chicken broth instead of water when cooking the rice will make it stickier.
Make sure the rice ball is tight around the cheese, and that your hands are wet while making the balls.
Yes, you can freeze the shaped and breaded rice balls for up to 3 months and air fry them directly from frozen.
Rice balls are great as a side or appetizer, and can be served with a tomato-based dipping sauce such as marinara or meat sauce.
