Description
These crispy, golden Arancini Rice Balls are stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese and a flavorful rice filling, making them a delicious snack or appetizer. With a savory combination of ham, peas, and Parmesan, they’re a perfect balance of creamy, cheesy goodness and crispy exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Arancini Rice Balls:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup diced ham
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 1/4 cup Chardonnay (or white wine)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas (thawed)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed (for stuffing)
For Breading:
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the diced ham and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the rice and toast it for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the Chardonnay and cook until the liquid is absorbed. Then, gradually add the chicken broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring frequently and allowing the liquid to absorb before adding more. Continue this process until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Once the rice is cooked, stir in the peas, parsley, Parmesan, and salt. Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, scoop out small portions of the rice mixture and form them into balls about the size of a golf ball. Insert a cube of mozzarella cheese into the center of each ball, ensuring it’s fully enclosed by the rice.
- For the breading: Roll each rice ball in flour, dip it in the beaten eggs, then coat it with breadcrumbs.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Fry the rice balls in batches for 2-3 minutes, until golden and crispy on all sides. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra parsley or Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- If you prefer a different type of cheese, you can substitute the mozzarella with another melting cheese, like fontina.
- Arancini can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven to preserve their crispiness.
- For a lighter version, you can bake the rice balls instead of frying them.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus cooling time for rice)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Italian
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: Italian