Italian Rice Balls (Arancini)
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Appetizer, Snacks
Servings
4
Prep Time
40 minutes
Cook Time
35-40 minutes
Calories
394
Creamy, cheesy fillings meet a golden, crispy exterior in these easy and delicious risotto balls. Dip them in Sundried Tomato Pasta Sauce for a tangy, flavorful finish that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients
-
1 tablespoon Primal Kitchen Pure Avocado Oil
- 1 medium carrot, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 1.75-2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
-
¼ cup Primal Kitchen Mayo
- 3 ounces mozzarella, cut into small cubes
- 1 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water or milk
-
Primal Kitchen Air Fryer Oil
-
Primal Kitchen Sundried Tomato Sauce
Directions
In a large skillet, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped carrot, and onion. Saute for 3-5 minutes, then add the garlic and stir until fragrant. Add the rice and stir to combine it with the vegetables.
- Add the broth and bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer and cover the pot.
- Cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until al dente, then reduce from the heat. Stir in the chopped parsley and allow it to cool, then place it in a large dish so it can chill quickly in the fridge. Allow the mixture to chill for at least a couple of hours, or ideally overnight.
- Once chilled, mix the risotto mixture in a ball with the mayo and stir until combined. Take a golf-ball-sized amount of risotto and form it into a ball.
- Press the cheese cube into the risotto and form a ball around it. Repeat with the remaining rice and cheese.
- Place the rice balls on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- While the rice balls are chilling, set up 2 shallow dishes to bread the balls. Place the breadcrumbs in one dish and season with salt and pepper if desired.
- Beat the eggs with the water or milk in the other dish.
- Remove the rice balls from the fridge and roll one in the breadcrumbs. Then, dip the ball into the egg and finally dredge it back into the breadcrumbs. Repeat with all of the rice balls.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Place the rice balls on a lined baking sheet and spray all over with Primal Kitchen Air Fryer Spray or Avocado Oil Spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes at 375°F, flipping the risotto balls over once in the middle of cooking to encourage them to brown.
- Top with fresh oregano or basil and serve with Primal Kitchen Sundried Tomato Pasta Sauce for dipping.
Recipe Note
- Nutritional information estimated using Cronometer and does not include sauce.
- Air Fryer Cooking Directions: Place the breaded rice balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket and liberally spray with the air fryer oil spray. Air fry at 375°F for 5-6 minutes, then give the basket a shake and continue frying for another 4-5 minutes. The total time will vary based on your air fryer, but they are done when they are crispy and golden on the outside and the cheese is melted on the inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories per serving
- 394
- Carbs
- 55 grams
- Fat
- 12 grams
- Protein
- 12 grams
If you’ve ever looked at a restaurant menu and wondered “what are arancini,” you’re not alone. A popular Italian snack food, arancini are stuffed rice balls typically coated in bread crumbs and deep-fried to a luscious golden brown. Fillings range from mozzarella and herbs to ham or prosciutto, peas, or even crab meat.
Our twist on this Sicilian appetizer uses Primal Kitchen Mayo for added creaminess and to help the risotto balls easily stick together. You’ll want some tangy sauce to mop up all the gooey, cheesy goodness of the Italian rice balls, so we paired our arancini with Sundried Tomato Pasta Sauce for a perfect blend of acidic tomato and creamy, indulgent butternut squash. It’s made with avocado oil and no corn syrup, cane sugar, or artificial sweeteners so you can dip and dunk without any hesitation.
You might also like these other appetizer recipes:
- Buffalo Chicken Pickle Poppers
- Cabbage Dumplings
- Chicken Taquitos
- Secret Menu Fries
- Gluten-free Pigs in a Blanket
