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arancini recipe

Ultimate Crispy Italian Arancini Rice Balls

Golden, crispy arancini with a creamy risotto interior and molten mozzarella center, perfect as an impressive Italian appetizer.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

For the Rice Mixture
  • 2 eggs lightly beaten, for rice mixture
  • 2.5 cups cooked short-grain or Arborio rice
  • 1/3 cup melted butter
  • 2/3 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
  • 1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic or 1/2-1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or 1-2 tsp dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
  • 1-2 teaspoons ground black pepper
For Assembly & Frying
  • 1 egg beaten, for coating
  • 3 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes
  • all-purpose flour for coating
  • 1 cup fine dry breadcrumbs
  • oil for deep-frying

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • deep fryer or heavy pot
  • deep-fry thermometer
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, lightly beat 2 eggs. Add cooked rice, melted butter, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, seasoning salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
  2. With damp hands, roll the chilled rice mixture into 1.5-inch balls. Press a cube of mozzarella into the center of each ball, then reshape to completely enclose the cheese.
  3. Set up a coating station: a bowl of flour, a bowl of the remaining beaten egg, and a bowl of breadcrumbs. Dredge each ball first in flour, then dip in egg, and finally roll in breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating at each step.
  4. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 375°F. Carefully add coated rice balls in batches, frying for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels. The exterior should be crackling when tapped.

Notes

Chilling the rice mixture is essential for easy shaping and preventing the cheese from melting out during frying.