Pat loves using the air fryer and is so excited to share this brand new Air Fried Arancini recipe with you! If you are looking for a delicious appetizer or side dish, arancini are Italian rice balls filled with cheese or meat. Normally they are deep fried, but made in the air fryer makes them lighter but so full of flavor! Next time you makes risotto, be sure to make extra so you can try this recipe! Pat hopes you enjoy!
10 mini fresh mozzarella balls (you can also use string cheese chopped into pieces)
Meat Stuffed Arancini
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp fresh garlic minced
1/3 cup marinara sauce
1/4 cup frozen peas
Directions
If you are making meat stuffed arancini, cook the meat, salt, pepper, garlic, and oregano in a pan with a little oil. When it is just about done, add the marinara sauce and peas and let it heat up. Once it is cooked, let it cool so that you can use this to stuff the rice balls
Add eggs to a bowl and scramble
Add risotto to a bowl with a 1/4 cup of bread crumbs and mix
Add the remaining breadcrumbs to a bowl and set aside
Place a large spoonful of the risotto mixture in your hands, and then add a mini mozzarella ball in the center. Using your hands, form the risotto around the mozzarella. You can add more risotto on top if it makes it easier
Roll the arancini into a tight ball, place it in the egg mixture, and then place it into the breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet as you make the others
If you are making meat arancini, place a large spoonful of risotto into your hand, then add a little bit of the meat mixture in the center, and then form a ball in your hand. You may need to use more risotto to close the ball
Tip – if forming the ball becomes sticky and difficult, lightly wet your hands. This will help the mixture stick less to your hands
Roll all rice balls into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumbs
Cook rice balls in an air fryer at 400ºF for 12 minutes, flipping them over after 6 minutes
