For best results, use day-old cooked rice. It's less likely to be sticky and will hold its shape better. Don't skip the chilling step! This is crucial for preventing the arancini from falling apart during cooking. Feel free to experiment with different cheeses in the center, such as provolone or fontina. To make ahead, prepare the arancini up to the breading stage and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before air frying. You may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time. These are best served immediately while they're hot and crispy.
Air Fryer Arancini
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PREP TIME20 mins
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COOK TIME10 mins
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TOTAL TIME50 mins
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SERVING5 People
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VIEWS48
Golden, crispy orbs of Italian comfort food, reimagined for the modern kitchen! These air-fried arancini are bursting with cheesy, savory goodness. Perfect as an appetizer or a light meal, they're surprisingly simple to make and utterly irresistible. A delightful twist on a classic, ready in minutes!
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate39 g
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Cholesterol161 mg
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Fiber1 g
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Protein15 g
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Saturated Fat12 g
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Sodium733 mg
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Sugar1 g
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Fat21 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
StepIn a large bowl, lightly beat 2 of the eggs. Stir in the cooked rice, Parmesan cheese, melted butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until well combined. (5 minutes)
02
StepCover the mixture and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This helps the arancini hold their shape. (20 minutes)
03
StepPreheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F (187 degrees C) according to the manufacturer's instructions. (5 minutes)
04
StepTake a heaping tablespoon of the rice mixture and gently roll it into a 1 1/2-inch ball. Press a mozzarella cube into the center and reshape to completely enclose the cheese. Repeat with the remaining mixture. (20 minutes)
05
StepIn a shallow dish, combine the panko bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the remaining egg. (2 minutes)
06
StepDip each rice ball into the beaten egg, then roll in the bread crumb mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. (5 minutes)
07
StepPlace the breaded rice balls in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. Spray generously with nonstick cooking spray. (2 minutes)
08
StepAir fry for 6 minutes. Then, increase the temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and air fry for another 3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. (9 minutes)
09
StepLet cool slightly before serving. Sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce or pesto for dipping.
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Trystan Rosenbaum
Apr 20, 2025I tried baking these in the oven instead of air frying, but they weren't as crispy. The air fryer is definitely the way to go!
Rylee Weber
Mar 6, 2025These were so easy to make and everyone loved them! The air fryer makes them perfectly crispy.
Duncan Stehr
Mar 1, 2025My kids are obsessed with these! They're a great way to use up leftover rice.
Herbert Hyatt
Feb 6, 2025I didn't have any Highlands Italian cheese sprinkle, so I used a little dried oregano and basil instead. They still turned out great!
Kelvin Schumm
Feb 6, 2025These are perfect for parties! I made a big batch and they were gone in minutes.
Leone Koss
Dec 4, 2024Be careful not to overfill the arancini with mozzarella, or it will melt and leak out during cooking.
Alena Volkman
Nov 14, 2024I added a little bit of saffron to the rice mixture for extra flavor and color. Delicious!