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Crispy Air Fryer Arancini (Stuffed Rice Balls)

Close-up of crispy, golden air fryer arancini stacked, with one broken open showing melted cheese stretching out.
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Make classic Italian arancini crispy and golden brown in your air fryer without deep frying. This recipe uses leftover risotto for easy homemade arancini.

Ingredients

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  • 3 cups cooked, cold risotto (plain or cheese)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten for dredging
  • 1 1/2 cups plain breadcrumbs (Panko recommended for extra crisp)
  • Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil based)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the risotto: If your risotto is too loose, mix in 1 tablespoon of flour or an extra egg yolk to help it bind.
  2. Form the balls: Take about 2 tablespoons of cold risotto in your hand. Flatten it slightly, place one cube of mozzarella cheese in the center, and gently form the risotto around the cheese to create a tight ball, about 1.5 inches in diameter.
  3. Set up the breading station: Place the flour in one shallow dish, the two beaten eggs in a second dish, and the breadcrumbs in a third dish.
  4. Bread the arancini: Roll each rice ball first in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip it completely in the beaten egg mixture. Finally, roll it thoroughly in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere well.
  5. Chill: Place the breaded arancini on a plate or tray and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step helps prevent them from falling apart during cooking.
  6. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius).
  7. Cook: Lightly spray the breaded arancini balls with cooking spray on all sides. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not touch. Work in batches if necessary.
  8. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Spray them lightly with oil again after flipping. They should be golden brown and crispy.
  9. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • Use leftover risotto for the best texture; fresh, warm risotto will be too soft to shape properly.
  • For a meat filling, use 1/4 cup of cooled, thick meat ragu instead of the mozzarella cube in the center.
  • If you want extra golden brown arancini, lightly spray the balls with oil before placing them in the basket, and then spray them again halfway through cooking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/air-fryer-arancini-recipe-easy-crispy/