You'll love the taste of these air fryer arancini balls without the mess, smell, and extra fat that comes from using a deep fryer.
I have wanted to try to make arancini balls ever since I went on a walking food tour in NYC with some friends. However, deep frying is so messy and the smell of fried food seems to linger. I suppose you could bake them but then I don't think they would be as crispy.
In comes the air fryer. I know I am late to the party but we just bought an air fryer. This is one of the first things I made with it.
This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there’s no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
How to Make Air Fryer Arancini
Arancini are Italian breaded and fried rice balls. Typically they use leftover risotto and stuff them with cheese, peas, and sometimes meat.
Step 1 - Start with cold risotto. You can make your own with arborio rice or buy a package from the store and make it. However, you'll want to set it in the refrigerator for a little while first to make it easier to work with.
Step 2 - Set up a breading station with a bowl of cold risotto, a bowl of beaten eggs, a bowl of breadcrumbs and grated cheese, and a bowl of the stuffing.
In my case, I mixed Panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan and I used mozzarella string cheese cut up into cubes as the stuffing.
Step 3 - Grab some of the risotto rice and cup it in one hand. Poke a hole or indentation with your other hand and place a piece of cheese there.
Step 4 - Then roll the rice into a ball adding more if needed.
Step 5 - Next, roll the ball into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumb mixture.
Step 6 - Set the breaded arancini aside and continue making more until you have used up all the risotto.
Step 7 - Place 5 of the arancini in an air fryer basket spaced out in a single layer and spray them with olive oil or another cooking spray.
Step 8 - Air fry the arancini for 6-7 minutes at 400 degrees, turn over, spray, and fry for an additional 5 minutes or until golden brown.
They come out all crispy and delicious.
Garnish the arancini balls with a little fresh chopped parsley and some extra Parmesan cheese, and serve them hot with a side of marinara sauce.
If you already have an air fryer you'll want to try making arancini. They are still crispy without all the extra fat from a deep fryer. Delicious comfort food everyone will love.
More Italian Recipes
Air Fryer Arancini Recipe
Equipment
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 2 cups Precooked and cooled risotto
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus a little extra for garnish
- 2-3 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- olive oil spray
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl.
- Combine the Panko breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese in another bowl.
- Scoop some of the risotto into your hand and press the middle to make a hole.
- Fill the hole with a 1/2 inch piece of mozzarella string cheese.
- Close the risotto over the cheese and roll into a ball using extra rice if needed.
- Roll the rice ball into the bowl of beaten eggs.
- Then roll the ball into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Set the breaded arancini on a tray.
- Continue until all the risotto is gone.
- Set 5 of the risotto balls (arancini) in an air fryer.
- Spray with olive oil spray.
- Air Fry at 400 degrees for 6-7 minutes.
- Flip the rice balls and spray again.
- Air fry for 5 minutes.
- Remove and complete a second batch.
- Serve immediately with marinara sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Michele M.
Never heard of these but we always have leftover risotto - thanks so much for this recipe and idea. Going to try making soon!!! (Found you from over at Diane's weekly Style Scouting (In My Own Style Blog) post.
Patti Estep
Welcome to Hearth and Vine. It was nice of Diane to feature the post. The arancini are so good. I hope you love them as much as we do.
Cindy
Curious which air fryer brand u bought & if u like it? I am considering buying one. The air fryer link was broken for me. tx for sharing.
Patti Estep
So far I do like it. It's pretty big so I can get a couple of large pork chops in the fryer to give you an example of the size. My husband likes to do research so I let him pick it out. Sorry about this link. It's a Cosori Pro III. You can search for it or use this updated link https://amzn.to/3xRhXKX