Description
These pan-fried mozzarella cheese-stuffed rice balls, also known as arancini, are crispy on the outside and filled with gooey mozzarella and flavorful rice on the inside. Served with marinara sauce, they make a delicious appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice (cooled)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 egg, beaten
- 10–12 small cubes of mozzarella cheese (for stuffing)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten (for breading)
- 1½ cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled cooked rice, Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and 1 beaten egg. Mix thoroughly until combined.
- Using your hands, scoop about 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and flatten it slightly in your palm.
- Place a cube of mozzarella cheese in the center and form the rice mixture around it, shaping it into a ball. Repeat until all rice mixture is used.
- Prepare a breading station with three bowls: one with flour, one with 2 beaten eggs, and one with Italian-style breadcrumbs.
- Roll each rice ball in flour, then dip in egg, and coat in breadcrumbs. Repeat for all balls.
- Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot. Fry rice balls in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp on all sides (about 3–4 minutes per side).
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use leftover rice to speed up prep time.
- Be sure the rice is cool before forming into balls.
- Can be made ahead and frozen before frying.
- Experiment with different cheese fillings for variety.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Pan-Fried
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rice ball
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
