Description
Crispy, golden Italian rice balls stuffed with melted mozzarella and served with a rich marinara sauce. These homemade arancini are a delightful appetizer or snack, featuring sticky rice combined with Parmesan and eggs, breaded and deep-fried to perfection.
Ingredients
Arancini
- 2 cups cooked white rice, cooled (preferably sushi rice)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 eggs
- 8 small cubes fresh mozzarella
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil, for frying (enough to fill pot to 4 inches)
Marinara Sauce
- 1 cup store-bought or homemade marinara sauce
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Place a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat and pour in enough vegetable oil to rise about 4 inches. Heat the oil until it reaches 375ºF (190ºC) for frying.
- Mix Rice Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the cooled cooked rice, grated Parmesan, and 1 egg. Use your hands to thoroughly mix the ingredients until evenly incorporated.
- Form Arancini Balls: Take a small portion of the rice mixture and pack it tightly in your hands. Press one cube of fresh mozzarella in the center, then mold the mixture around it to form a compact ball. Repeat until you have 8 balls.
- Prepare for Frying: Whisk together the remaining 2 eggs in a shallow bowl. Dip each arancini ball into the beaten eggs, then coat evenly with Italian-style breadcrumbs. Shake off any excess breadcrumbs.
- Fry Arancini: Carefully add 2-3 breaded arancini balls into the hot oil. Fry them, turning gently, until they are golden brown and cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Drain and Season: Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried arancini and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. While warm, sprinkle them with salt to taste. Repeat frying with the remaining arancini.
- Serve: Serve the arancini warm, accompanied by a side of warmed marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- The best rice for arancini is sushi rice because of its sticky, glutinous texture, which helps the rice balls hold their shape during frying.
- Make sure to squeeze the rice mixture firmly to ensure compact, sturdy arancini that won't fall apart in the hot oil.
- You can use store-bought marinara sauce for convenience or prepare your own homemade marinara for a fresher taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
