Quick and easy air fryer arancini balls are Italian style comfort food. They are a great way to use up leftover rice or cold risotto.
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I made this easy air fryer arancini over on TikTok for the first time. It turned out so well that it deserves a permanent spot on my recipe website. This is meant to be a quick and easy recipe so I start with a bag of ready rice. You could use any leftover cooked rice or chilled risotto. They have a satisfying crunch without deep frying. These arancini rice balls are now a new favorite snack!
More easy air fryer recipes
Ingredients for air fryer arancini recipe
- Cooked Rice – For ease of testing, I used a bag of ready rice for this recipe. As long as you have 2 cups of cooked rice, this recipe will work. Chilled risotto made with arborio rice would be most “authentic” Italian. But any white or brown rice that is already cooked will do.
- Cheese – Use one cup of grated cheese. For testing, I used already grated pizza cheese. And I rinsed it before stirring it into the rice to make it melt better. You can use mozzarella, provolone or any Italian style blend of cheeses.
- Egg and Butter – The egg and butter act as binding agents to hold the rice together in its ball shape. And of course butter/fat adds flavor.
- Seasonings – I used one fresh garlic clove, some fresh basil and salt to season my rice balls.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – I prefer crispy Panko bread crumbs for coating “fried” foods. But any breadcrumbs will work for this recipe.
- Baking Powder – I coat my crispy baked chicken wings with baking powder before baking. So I figured adding some to this breading would work in the same way!
Instructions for Italian rice balls
Microwave the rice according to package directions. Put it into a large bowl. Add to it the melted butter, beaten egg, cup of shredded cheese, minced clove of garlic, chopped basil and salt. Mix well to combine. Chill the mixture for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator.
In a large shallow bowl, stir together the one cup of Panko breadcrumbs and baking powder. Use a cookie scoop to divide the rice mixture into 12 balls. Be gently when handling the rice. If it starts to fall apart, put it back in the refrigerator. Cold rice is easier to form into balls.
Dredge each rice ball in the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Oil your air fryer basket with olive oil or vegetable oil. Place the arancini balls in a single layer into the basket of your air fryer.
Air fry the arancini at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes. They will be a nice golden brown color when done. Serve them with a warm dipping sauce like rao’s marinara.
Keep scrolling to the bottom of this post for my free printable recipe card.
Serving suggestions
These rice balls are so versatile! Set them out for snacking at a party. Or serve as part of an Italian style dinner for a date night. Here’s some recipe suggestions to go with them –
Storage directions
Store any leftover arancini in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can also freeze the arancini. They will stay fresh in a freezer bag for up to one month.
Kitchen tools
- I use a basket style air fryer for testing all of my recipes
- This my favorite set of mixing bowls with lids
- Use a cookie scoop for easily forming the arancini balls
Air Fryer Arancini
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup Italian blend cheese shredded
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp baking powder
Instructions
- Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the inside of your air fryer basket with vegetable oil or olive oil.
- Combine the Panko breadcrumbs and baking powder in a shallow dish. Stir well to combine and set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the cooked rice, beaten egg, melted butter, shredded cheese, garlic, basil and salt. Be sure it is completely combined.
- Chill the rice mixture to firm up so that it is easier to roll into balls.
- Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon capacity cookie scoop to form the arancini balls. It will make between 12 - 14 balls.
- Lightly coat each arancini rice ball in the Panko bread crumb and baking powder mixture.
- Place the balls in the oiled air fryer basket. Make sure they are not touching each other.
- Air fry at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve with warm tomato sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
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leftover risotto, risotto rice, air fryer risotto balls, extra risotto, parmesan risotto, traditional arancini
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