Italian Rice Balls (Arancini)

Arancini (or Arancine - Arancino) are delicious Italian Rice Balls that are stuffed with mozzarella, covered with breadcrumbs, and then fried until golden and crispy. They are inexpensive, extremely easy to make, and also a great way to use leftover risotto dishes.

Just like Vegetarian Stuffed Mushrooms, you can serve these little rice balls as an appetizer/starter or as finger food/canapés at your next dinner party to impress your guests!

Jump to:

• What are Italian Rice Balls?
• Why This Recipe Works?
• Ingredients You'll Need
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Top Tips From the Chef
• What to Serve with Arancine Rice Balls?
• Recipe FAQs
• Related Recipes
• Italian Rice Balls (Arancini)

These scrumptious Italian Rice Balls (also known as Arancini/Arancine/Arancino) made with leftover risotto are my all-time favorite appetizer and party food.

They have a light and crispy coating with a creamy, soft, and cheesy center. Loved by kids, adults, or even fussy eaters, these crispy and golden brown risotto balls are an absolute crowd-pleaser.

What are Italian Rice Balls?

Italian Arancini Rice Balls are round-shaped risotto balls filled with mozzarella cheese (or/and meat ragu), coated with breadcrumbs, and then fried until golden and crispy.

Originating from Sicily, they might come with different fillings and different shapes/sizes. They are known by many names such as Suppli, Arancini, Arancine, or Arancino around different regions of Italy.

Risotto balls originated from Sicily in the 10th century, when they were ruled by Arabs. Their origins may be possibly the same as Kibbeh from Middle Eastern cuisine.

Why This Recipe Works?

• This perfect arancini recipe is a great way to use leftover creamy risotto dishes. You can use almost any risotto dish to make crispy arancini balls.

• They are versatile. You can serve these Italian fried rice balls as an appetizer, as finger food, as a snack, as a side dish, or as a light lunch along with marinara sauce and a bowl of Rocket and Parmesan Salad.

• You can prepare these cheesy rice balls up to two days in advance and keep them refrigerated until you need them.

• Italian Rice Balls are loved by everyone, they are an absolute crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Leftover risotto - I used leftover Creamy Wild Mushroom Risotto for this recipe but you can make fresh risotto and let it cool down which would add extra prep time. For more delicious risotto recipe ideas, please check my Pumpkin Risotto (Risotto alla Zucca), Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Risotto, and Creamy Shrimp Risotto with Peas recipes.

• Mozzarella - You can use any type of stringy cheese you prefer such as Kasar cheese, Cheddar, Gruyère, Fontina, Provolone, Taleggio, or Raclette.

• Plain Flour - It is also called all-purpose flour. It helps the eggs stick better to risotto balls.

• Eggs - They help the breadcrumbs stick to the arancini. 2 medium-sized eggs are enough for this recipe.

• Breadcrumbs - I prefer panko breadcrumbs for breading as they are made from white bread without the crust and have a larger grain than regular bread crumbs. Their texture is light and airy and they will crisp to a perfect golden brown. However, you can use any breadcrumbs you have in hand.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Making these crispy and delicious risotto balls is very easy and straightforward. However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:

If you are using freshly made risotto, let it totally cool down and refrigerate it for a few hours, ideally overnight so that it sticks together easily.

This recipe recalls 670 grams of cooked risotto, which is equal to 2 portions of my Wild Mushroom Risotto, Pumpkin Risotto, or Shrimp Risotto recipes.

Shape the Risotto Balls

Scoop the cold risotto into 16 equal pieces, slightly larger than a walnut. Use slightly wet hands while rolling the risotto into small balls.

Flatten a risotto ball in the palm of your hand and put a piece of mozzarella cube in the center. Avoid making it too thin or the mozzarella will oose out! Close the rice around the mozzarella and roll it into a tight ball. 

Set the arancini ball aside on a plate or a cutting board, and repeat the same with the remaining leftover risotto.

Cover with Breadcrumbs and Fry

Season the flour and beaten egg with salt and black pepper. Set up 3 bowls and fill them with flour, egg mixture, and breadcrumbs. 

Dip each prepared risotto ball starting with the flour, followed by the eggs, and finally, the breadcrumbs.

Transfer them to a tray or cookie sheet and set them aside.

Fill a small pot or pan with enough oil until it’s 6 cm to 8 cm (2" to 3") deep. Heat the vegetable oil or olive oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 170° C (340° F), gently add the arancini balls, and lower the heat to medium.

Cook them on medium heat for 6-8 mins, or until golden brown and melted in the center. Set them aside on a plate lined with a paper towel. Serve them immediately while still warm with simple marinara sauce or tomato sauce, and a bowl of salad. 

If you want to serve the risotto balls at a later time, give them a quick browning in hot oil and place them on a silicon paper-lined baking sheet. When you need to serve them, Simply reheat them in the preheated oven at 200° C (395º F) for 10 minutes.

Top Tips From the Chef

• The risotto has to be totally cooled down before you try to shape it. I make the risotto the day before or use leftovers from the previous day's dinner as the cold risotto holds together much better than freshly made one.

• Set your working station efficiently before you start making the rice balls. Have a small bowl of water for wetting your hands when shaping the balls. Have your seasoned flour on a flat plate, whisk your eggs in a small bowl, and place the breadcrumbs on a plate before starting to cover your risotto balls with breadcrumbs.

• Make sure the mozzarella is tightly and entirely covered with the rice when shaping the rice balls.

• Make sure you heat the frying oil until it reaches 170° C (340° F). You can use a cooking thermometer, or a piece of bread to test the oil. The oil is ready when the bread turns golden brown within 45 seconds.

What to Serve with Arancine Rice Balls?

Same as Shortcrust Pastry Mini Sausage Rolls, Avocado Deviled Eggs without Mayo, Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce, and Crispy Duck Spring Rolls, these delicious and crispy Italian Rice Balls are great as an appetizer/starter, finger food, or snack.

However, you can also serve them as a side dish along with Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant), Ratatouille Nicoise, Cheesy Baked Shrimp (Karides Guvec), and Turkish Moussaka - Patlican Musakka.

Or Serve them as a main meal for lunch or a light dinner along with a bowl of Beetroot and Feta Salad, Coban Salatasi (Turkish Shepherd's Salad), or Greek Cucumber Salad.

Recipe FAQs

Related Recipes

For more delicious and authentic Italian recipes why not try:

Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making these crispy and scrumptious Italian Rice Balls (Arancini/Arancine) as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!

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