Arancini Air-Fryer Style: A Quick, Crispy Treat

If you're looking for a tasty snack or appetizer, arancini—or Italian rice balls—are a great option. This Sicilian street food is usually deep-fried, but using an air fryer is a healthier way to prepare it without sacrificing any flavor. Arancini are made with cooked rice or risotto, shaped into balls, stuffed with cheese, and breaded before being cooked until golden brown. They can be served as-is or with a side of tomato sauce, pesto, or marinara sauce for dipping.

How to make the rice balls

To make the rice balls, you will need cooked rice or risotto, breadcrumbs, flour, cornflour, onion, garlic, bell pepper, crushed pepper flakes, oil, and mozzarella cheese.

First, mash the cooked rice or risotto into a very soft mush. Warm up leftover rice slightly to make it easier to mash. Next, add a tablespoon of oil to a pan and sauté the onion, garlic, and bell peppers until soft. Add salt and crushed red peppers to taste. Allow the mixture to cool, then add it to the mashed rice. Add cornflour, flour, and breadcrumbs and mix well.

Take a handful of the mixture and form it into a ball. Stuff a piece of mozzarella inside and reshape it into a tight ball. Repeat this process until you have used all of the mixture.

Now, set up a breading station. In one bowl, combine flour, cornflour, salt, and pepper, adding water to form a thick batter. In a separate bowl or plate, add the breadcrumbs and season if needed. Dip each rice ball into the batter and coat evenly, then transfer to the breadcrumbs and roll to coat the surface.

At this stage, you can freeze the rice balls to cook later. If you are cooking them now, preheat your air fryer to between 360-380°F. Place the rice balls in the air fryer in a single layer and lightly spray with oil. Air fry for about 6 minutes, then check and rotate the balls. Continue cooking for another 6-8 minutes, or until the arancini are golden brown and crispy.

How to make the breading

To make the breading for your air fryer arancini, you will need to set up a breading station. This will consist of three bowls, each containing a different ingredient.

In the first bowl, place some all-purpose flour. You can also add cornflour/corn starch to this, but this is optional.

In the second bowl, add your eggs. You will need to beat them lightly before dipping the arancini.

In the third bowl, combine your breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and olive oil. You can use any type of breadcrumbs you like, but panko is recommended for a crunchier texture. If your risotto is well-seasoned, you may not need to add extra seasoning to the breadcrumbs. However, feel free to add Italian seasoning, oregano, dried basil, or chili flakes for some extra flavour.

Once you have your breading station set up, you can start dipping your risotto balls. First, dip them in the flour, then in the egg, and finally, roll them in the breadcrumb mixture until they are evenly coated. Make sure there are no gaps in the coating.

Place the breaded arancini on a tray and chill them until they are ready to be cooked. You can also freeze them at this stage if you want to cook them later.

How to cook the arancini in the air fryer

How to cook arancini in an air fryer

Arancini are a delicious Sicilian snack, consisting of a crispy, golden exterior and a soft, creamy inside. They can be made in an air fryer to reduce the calories and fat content without compromising on flavour.

To cook arancini in an air fryer, first prepare your risotto balls. You will need cooked rice or risotto, shaped into balls with a cube of mozzarella stuffed into the centre. You can also add peas to the risotto mixture. Roll each ball first in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. Spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the risotto balls inside. Cook for around 10-15 minutes, until golden brown and crispy.

For extra crispy arancini, use panko breadcrumbs. You can also add seasonings to your breadcrumbs, such as Italian seasoning, oregano, dried basil or chilli flakes.

If you are making a big batch, you can freeze any leftover risotto balls and cook them in the air fryer straight from frozen. They may just need a couple of extra minutes.

How to serve arancini

Arancini are a great choice for an appetizer, snack, or side dish. They can be served as is or with a dipping sauce on the side.

If you're planning an Italian meal, arancini is a perfect appetizer, followed by a main course of Minestrone soup or Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna roll-ups. Finish the meal with Italian pudding or Zeppole for dessert.

For a more casual meal, serve arancini with a side of tomato sauce for dipping. You can blend oven-roasted tomatoes for a smoother texture or use a meat sauce for a heartier meal.

If you're serving arancini as a snack, they can be enjoyed on their own or with a variety of dips such as pesto, marinara, or meat sauce.

Arancini can also be served as a side dish to accompany a main course. They pair well with an Italian-inspired feast or a simple salad.

No matter how you choose to serve them, arancini are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

How to store leftover arancini

Arancini are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to two days. However, this method will alter the taste and texture of your dish.

If you don't plan on eating your arancini within a couple of days, it is best to freeze them. Frozen arancini can last for up to three months. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to freeze your leftover arancini:

Step 1: Cool the Arancini

Place the arancini on a cooling rack to allow airflow to circulate around each ball. Leave them until they are completely cool.

Step 2: Initial Freeze

Line a tray with greaseproof paper and place the cooled arancini on it, ensuring they are not touching each other. Put the tray on a flat surface in the freezer for a couple of hours until the arancini are frozen solid.

Step 3: Transfer to a Freezer Bag

Once the arancini are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. Press as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing.

Step 4: Label and Freeze

Label the bag with the date you prepared the arancini and their use-by date. Place the bag back in the freezer.

Reheating Arancini

Arancini can be reheated in a few different ways. If you plan on frying them in oil, you can add them straight from the freezer to the pan without defrosting them first.

If you prefer to defrost them, take them out of the freezer and let them thaw in the fridge. This will take several hours, so it is best to remove them the night before you plan to use them. You can then reheat them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°Fahrenheit. Place each arancini on an oven tray lined with a baking mat or parchment paper. Cover each one with aluminium foil and put them in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

Food Safety

Thawing arancini at room temperature is not recommended as bacteria can easily grow at room temperatures. If you have thawed your arancini at room temperature, it is best to eat them immediately.

Final Thoughts

Now you know how to store and reheat your leftover arancini! Remember, they are best enjoyed fresh, but if you need to store them, freezing is the best option to preserve their quality.

Frequently asked questions