Crispy Baked Arancini Recipe
Baked Arancini are crispy, golden Italian rice balls filled with gooey mozzarella cheese and coated in crunchy breadcrumbs. This healthier twist on traditional fried arancini uses baking instead of frying, resulting in a deliciously satisfying appetizer or snack with less oil and fat. Made with creamy risotto rice, melty mozzarella, eggs, and a crispy breadcrumb coating, these baked arancini are perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a comforting treat at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 arancini balls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Arancini Balls
- 2 cups cooked risotto rice, cooled
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: If not already done, cook risotto rice following your preferred method and allow it to cool completely. This ensures the rice mixture holds its shape when forming the balls.
- Form rice balls: With clean hands, take a small handful of cooled risotto rice and flatten it into a disc. Place a cube of mozzarella in the center, then carefully mold the rice around the cheese to form a compact ball, about 2 inches in diameter. Repeat until all the rice and mozzarella are used.
- Bread the arancini: Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl. Dip each rice ball first into the beaten eggs, then roll them evenly in the breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place the coated balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake until crispy: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray or lightly brush the arancini with olive oil to help them brown. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy on the outside and the cheese inside is melted.
- Serve: Remove the baked arancini from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm as an appetizer or snack with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Using cooled risotto rice helps the arancini hold their shape better during baking.
- You can add herbs or spices like parsley or garlic powder to the rice mixture for extra flavor.
- For best results, ensure the mozzarella cubes are well covered with rice to prevent cheese from leaking out.
- If desired, experiment with fillings such as ragu, peas, or mushrooms for variety.
- Baking instead of frying reduces overall fat content while still achieving a crispy exterior.
Keywords: Baked Arancini, Italian appetizer, risotto balls, mozzarella, crispy baked snacks
Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/crispy-baked-arancini-recipe/
