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Close up of Arancini - Three Cheese Fried Risotto Balls on a white plate
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Arancini - Three Cheese Fried Risotto Balls

These Italian three cheese fried risotto balls, Arancini, make the prettiest appetizer, or even a meatless meal. Arborio rice, cheese, garlic and herbs, breaded and fried until golden brown, served up with marinara and a dusting of grated cheese.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Arancini - Three Cheese Fried Risotto Balls
Servings: 2 dozen
Calories: 211kcal
Author: Michaela Kenkel

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • cup Arborio rice
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 eggs *tempered
  • ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • ½ cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 1 handful of fresh chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • For the coating:
  • ½ cup flour
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • ½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs add in a bit of chopped parsley and shredded Romano cheese
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • Marinara sauce chopped parsley and shredded Romano for serving

Instructions

  • Place the water, Arborio rice, garlic powder and butter into a pot. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
  • Cook and continue to stir until the water is all absorbed and the rice is tender.
  • Whisk the eggs in a small bowl.
  • *To temper the eggs, Add a small amount of the hot rice to whisked eggs and stir. You want to slowly warm the eggs so they don't scramble.
  • Stir together the tempered eggs, grated Pecorino, ricotta, shredded mozzarella, salt and parsley.
  • Scoop the mixture, using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, onto a lined baking sheet. Pop into the refrigerator for about 15 minutes until completely cool and easy to handle.
  • Place your breading ingredients into separate bowls. Roll mixture into a ball then coat in flour, then in egg and finally into the breadcrumbs.
  • Place back onto the baking sheet and continue coating all the rice balls.
  • At this point you can either fry them or freeze them.
  • To Freeze: Place breaded rice balls on a baking sheet and double wrap with plastic wrap.
  • To Fry: You can fry the rice balls in a deep fat fryer or in a cast iron skillet. Heat vegetable oil over medium high heat, you will know it's hot enough when you carefully drop a pinch of breadcrumbs into the oil and bubbles immediately form around them and they rise to the top.
  • Carefully add a few rice balls to the pot and cook until golden. It will take a couple of minute for them to brown and heat through. Repeat with the remaining rice balls.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 87mg | Sodium: 473mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g