Description
Cheesy Italian Arancini Balls are crispy, golden fried rice balls made with creamy risotto, melted cheese, and a crunchy breadcrumb coating. They are a classic Italian appetizer with a soft, cheesy center and a perfectly crisp exterior, ideal for snacks, parties, or serving with marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Arborio rice
- 4 cups warm chicken broth
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, cubed (optional)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Olive oil for frying
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Marinara sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Melt butter in a pan and sauté onion until soft.
- Add Arborio rice and toast for 1 minute.
- Gradually add warm broth, stirring until rice is creamy and cooked.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper, then cool completely.
- Shape cooled risotto into balls and place a cube of cheese in the center.
- Dip each ball in beaten eggs, then coat with Panko breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry until golden and crispy.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm with marinara sauce.
Notes
- Always cool risotto completely before shaping to prevent falling apart.
- Mozzarella gives the best melty center.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while frying.
- Leftover risotto works perfectly for this recipe.
- Can be baked or air-fried for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 arancini ball
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
