Step-by-step guide to making arancini balls.
An Italian classic, arancini balls are delicious deep-fried risotto balls with a delicious cheesy centre.
Learn how to make the perfect arancini, from preparing the risotto to rolling and lightly coating in breadcrumbs before frying.
Learn how to make the perfect arancini, from preparing the risotto to rolling and lightly coating in breadcrumbs before frying.
Ingredients
Risotto
- 1½ cups Arborio rice uncooked
- 3¼ cups cold water
- 2 stock cubes. Vegetable
- 1 Tbsp butter
Arancini
- 250 grams lean minced beef
- 2 or 3 eggs whisked with a fork.
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Salt Pepper to taste
Coating
- Flour
- Egg wash 1 egg to 1 Tbsp water
- Bread Crumbs Plain
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Now just follow these simple instructions.
There is not as much work as it appears to be.
Cooking the rice is largely unattended, and a batch normally takes me an hour, once the rice is cool.
Prepare the risotto:
- Put the rice in a heavy bottom saute pan, and add cold water, stock cubes, and the 1 Tbsp of butter.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Immediately, give one stir and cover.
- Turn the heat to low. (As low as possible) Leave the pan on the burner for 20 minutes without stirring or opening the pan.
- After 20 minutes, open pan, and fluff rice with a fork.
Rice for this dish should be slightly sticky.
If rice is too dry or fluffy, add a tablespoon of water, and place back on low heat for a few more minutes. - When rice is thoroughly cooked and sticky, let covered pan cool to room temperature.
Cook The Meat:
- While rice is cooling, cook minced beef in an open Frypan until it is thoroughly cooked.
- Crumble cooked minced beef finely.
- Drain cooked meat in a colander and discard fat.
Combine Everything:
- Mix cooled rice, meat, cheeses, and melted butter.
- Taste mixture and correct seasonings by adding salt and pepper to taste.
(I use a lot of pepper, some people add a little oregano here.) - Add beaten eggs, and then mix thoroughly.
You want the mixture to be about the consistency of play dough, albeit lumpy. - Mold Yor Arancini Balls
- Mold the mixture into small balls, about 3cm / 1½ inches in diameter.
You will need to have wet hands to do this.
If you've ever made meatballs, the process is similar, but you kind of have to press the rice to make it hold together. - Let the finished balls sit out for 15 minutes or so to firm up.
- Roll the rice balls in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs.
- Again, let sit out for a few minutes for the coating to firm up on the rice balls.
- Preheat oil in deep fryer to 150-170℃ (300-325℉).
- Preheat oven to 180℃ (350℉).
- Fry the rice balls a few at a time, until very lightly coloured.
- Place fried rice balls on a lightly greased baking tray.
- When all the rice balls are fried, bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or so.
This is to make sure that the egg is completely cooked, and to prevent salmonella poisoning. - Serve.
Video
Notes
Variations and creative twists on traditional arancini balls.
While the classic arancini balls are undeniably delicious, there are countless ways to put a unique spin on this traditional Italian dish.Here are some creative variations to inspire your culinary adventures:
- Vegetarian Options:
Experiment with vegetarian fillings, such as roasted vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, or artichokes.
These add a burst of flavour and offer a lighter alternative to meat-based fillings. - Seafood Delight:
Incorporate seafood into your arancini balls by adding cooked shrimp, crab meat, or smoked salmon to the filling.
The delicate flavours of the seafood will complement the creamy rice perfectly. - Spicy Kick:
If you enjoy a bit of heat, consider adding some spicy ingredients to your arancini balls.
Jalapenos, red pepper flakes, or even a dash of hot sauce can add a fiery twist to the dish. - International flavours:
Take inspiration from other cuisines and experiment with different spices and ingredients.
For example, you can create Mexican-inspired arancini balls by adding black beans, corn, and a touch of cumin. - Sweet Arancini:
Who says arancini balls have to be savoury?
For a unique dessert option, try filling the rice balls with sweet ingredients like Nutella, caramel, or fruit preserves. Dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
The only limit is your imagination!
What To Serve With Arancini Balls
Arancini balls pair well with a variety of dishes, including salads and soups.They also make great side dishes if served with pasta dishes or tomato sauces. Depending on what's inside them, you can serve with a dipping sauce, vegetables, salads, relish or pasta.
Here's some ideas to get you started.
- Blanched Greens
Why not serve something green with your rice balls - such as a plate of blanched watercress, or spinach, or kale, or puha along with mashed potato or cauliflower cheese. These easy side dishes will not only up the nutritional value but add heaps of taste. - BBQ Grilled Asparagus
The crunchiness of bbq grilled asparagus is an ideal accompaniment to eat with arancini balls. Add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese on the top and serve alongside cheeseburger salad and some potato salad. - Macaroni Cheese
Why not serve some pasta with your rice balls - such as a plate of creamy savoury macaroni cheese and a side of tossed salad. The flavours all mingle well and the smooth texture of the macaroni cheese with the crunch of the balls is awesome. - Pasta Salad
Another pasta idea to serve with your rice balls is a good serve of Pasta salad with dressing along with some sliced, buttered cobb loaf or French stick. Once again the flavours all mingle well and the smooth texture of the macaroni cheese with the crunch of the balls is awesome.
What Sauce To Serve With Arancini Balls
Arancini balls are best served with a simple, yet flavourful dipping sauce.You can go a classic route, like marinara or pesto, or you could get creative and make your own.
Popular options include cheese sauces, garlic-lemon-butter mixtures, and even spicy mayo! Here is our list of 6 popular sauces to serve with your arancini balls:
- Aioli Dipping Sauce
Aioli is a tasty Mediterranean sauce made from garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice and pairs well with arancini balls. The aioli adds just the right amount of flavour without overwhelming the delicate flavour of the arancini. - Rich Tomato Sauce
Made with tomato passata, onion and garlic this sauce has is rich and full flavours which will take your arancini balls to the next level.
Being a popular finger food or appetiser, having a little tomato sauce on the side for dipping is very good. One of the best to serve with them is a tasty homemade sauce like the Greek meatball sauce in this recipe. - Bolognese Sauce
Bolognese Sauce is a rich and hearty meat-based sauce that is made with ground beef, tomatoes, and various other ingredients.
This sauce can be used as a dipping sauce, or you could try pouring it over the Arancini balls. Serve your arancini balls with a side of Bolognese Sauce and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Use the tasty homemade sauce like the Bolognese sauce in this recipe. - Creamy Cocktail Sauce
A rich and creamy dipping sauce is a wonderful accompniment for your Arancini balls. Serve your arancini balls with a side of cocktail sauce as an appetiser or finger food at your next party.
Here is the cocktail sauce recipe I suggest using.
The sauce adds a nice amount of tangy flavour without overpowering the flavours of the arancini. - Avocado Hummus
Avocado Hummus is smooth and creamy. The combination of flavours is superb accompniment for your Arancini balls. Serve your arancini balls with a side of avocado Hummus as a dip for appetisers or finger foods at your next party.
Here is the avocado hummus recipe I suggest using. - Butter Sauce
Drawn butter sauce is a luscious butter sauce that has subtle flavourings that does not not overpower any other
This sauce can be used as a dipping sauce, or you could try pouring it over the Arancini balls. Here's the tasty homemade Drawn butter sauce.
FAQs about Arancini Balls
- What Rice For Arancini Balls?
When choosing the right Rice for arancini, it is important to pick a short-grain variety such as Arborio or Carnaroli.
These types of rice create a creamy texture to the risotto which helps bind and shape the arancini mixture. Long grain varieties such as basmati do not work well in this context due to their drier, more crumbly texture. - Can You Prepare Arancini in Advance?
Yes it is possible prepare arancini in advance.
You can make cooked arancini balls up to two days in advance and store them in the refrigerator.
For best results, reheat in the oven or re-fry before serving. Or you can shape the arancini balls, store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months, then cook just prior to serving. - Can You Freeze Arancini Balls?
Yes, arancini balls can be frozen. Before freezing, make sure the arancini balls have cooled down completely.
Prepare the filling and shape the arancini balls, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze. Once they are frozen, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the freezer until ready to cook.
Then, place them in freezer bags or airtight containers in a single layer.
Once frozen, transfer the arancini balls to a resealable plastic bag and store for up to 3 months. - How Long Do Arancini Balls Last?
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, arancini balls can last for 3-4 days.
If you want to extend their shelf life, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. - How to Reheat Arancini Balls?
Arancini balls are best reheated by baking them.
Preheat the oven to 205°C (400°F) and lightly grease a baking dish.
Place the Arancini balls on the baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until heated through. If you want to crisp up the outside of your arancini, remove the foil after 5 minutes of baking time and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes. - How Do You Stop Arancini From Falling Apart?
The key to perfect arancini balls that don't fall apart is to be sure you use enough binder, like egg or breadcrumbs. It's also important to firmly shape your arancini and make sure all of the ingredients, particularly the short grain rice, are cooked completely before forming them into balls.
Conclusion and final thoughts on arancini balls.
In conclusion, arancini balls are a culinary delight that will transport your taste buds to Italy.With their crispy exterior, creamy rice, and flavourful fillings, these golden orbs of goodness are sure to wow your friends and family. Whether you stick with the classic mozzarella and tomato or venture into more creative variations, making arancini balls at home allows you to customize the flavours to suit your preferences.
It's a fun and rewarding cooking project that will leave you with a sense of accomplishment and a delicious treat to enjoy. So, why not roll up your sleeves, gather the ingredients, and embark on a culinary adventure?
Get ready to savour the taste of Italy in every bite as you create your very own arancini ball masterpiece. Whether you're hosting a party or simply treating yourself to a delicious snack, these mouthwatering arancini ball recipes are sure to impress.
Buon appetito!