1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Cheese-Filled Rice Bites

Delicious Italian Arancini Made Easy

Featured in Perfect Party Bites and Snack Recipes.

Classic Italian rice bites made with three cheeses, breaded, and fried until perfectly golden. Quick to prepare in about an hour, serves 6.
Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Mena
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 18:09:31 GMT
Golden Cheese-Filled Arancini Pin it
Golden Cheese-Filled Arancini | delishdocket.com

There's something magical about biting into a perfectly crispy arancini - that golden, crunchy exterior giving way to reveal creamy, cheesy risotto inside. These Sicilian rice balls have become a staple in my kitchen ever since learning the technique from a seasoned Italian cook. The way the melted cheese stretches into delicate strands when you break one open is pure culinary poetry.

Learning to perfect these took time and plenty of trial batches. Proper chilling is essential - skip this step and they'll fall apart in the oil.

Key Ingredients

  • Cold Risotto: Day-old is ideal as the starches will have set properly
  • Fresh Mozzarella: High-quality cheese makes all the difference in the melted center
  • Whole Milk Ricotta: Drain if needed - excess moisture affects texture
  • Breadcrumbs: Traditional Italian style mixed with some panko for extra crunch
  • Frying Oil: Choose one with high smoke point like sunflower or canola
Cheesy Italian Arancini Rice Balls Pin it
Cheesy Italian Arancini Rice Balls | delishdocket.com

Preparation Method

1.
Break up the cold risotto with your hands to remove any clumps
2.
Gently fold in the cheeses, maintaining some texture without overmixing
3.
Shape into golf ball-sized spheres using moistened hands
4.
Set up breading station with separate dishes for flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs
5.
Use separate hands for wet and dry ingredients during coating process

An unexpected discovery came when traditional breadcrumbs were replaced with crushed Italian crackers - creating an exceptional crispy coating.

The Art of Frying

Maintaining 350°F oil temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect balance of golden exterior and melted interior. Using a thermometer ensures accuracy. Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature.

Creative Variations

While traditional arancini are delicious, try experimenting with different fillings. A combination of mozzarella and meat sauce creates a heartier version, while pesto with pine nuts offers a fresh twist.

Golden Crispy Arancini Recipe Pin it
Golden Crispy Arancini Recipe | delishdocket.com

Storage Guidelines

For best results:
* Freeze uncooked arancini on baking sheets before storing
* Transfer frozen balls to freezer bags for up to three months
* Fry directly from frozen - no thawing needed

Serving Suggestions

Serve with:
* Classic marinara sauce
* Spicy arrabbiata
* Herbed aioli
* Fresh lemon wedges

Common Solutions

Quick fixes for common issues:
* Falling apart - increase oil temperature
* Cheese leaks - check seal integrity
* Over-browning - reduce oil temperature

Closing Notes

Arancini bring a special energy to any gathering. The anticipation builds as guests wait for that first batch to emerge golden and crispy from the oil. Each batch brings more confidence and skill.

Practice makes perfect with these Sicilian treasures. The technique develops naturally with experience, and even early attempts will be appreciated. The kitchen filled with the aroma of frying arancini signals the start of something wonderful.

Cheese-Filled Rice Bites

These hearty rice balls are oozing with cheese, lightly fried for a perfect crunch. A wonderful way to make use of leftover risotto!

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Mena


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the Rice Balls

01 2 cups of already-cooked rice, let it cool before using
02 2 cups of ricotta cheese
03 1 cup of freshly shredded parmesan cheese
04 Half a pound of mozzarella, diced into small chunks
05 1 teaspoon of table salt
06 Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
07 A quarter teaspoon of dried thyme
08 A pinch of red chili flakes, optional for a bit of heat
09 3 cups of vegetable or canola oil for frying

→ For the Coating

10 3 eggs, whisk them lightly
11 Three-quarters of a cup of plain flour
12 1 teaspoon of salt
13 Half a teaspoon of black pepper
14 2 cups of breadcrumbs, you can use seasoned or plain ones

Instructions

Step 01

In a big bowl, throw in the rice, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, salt, pepper, thyme, and chili flakes (if you’re using them). Combine everything until it’s sticky enough to roll into balls. If it seems too dry and crumbly, mix in a bit more ricotta until it holds.

Step 02

Cover a baking sheet with parchment. Scoop a handful of the mix, roll it into a ball about golf ball-sized, and gently set it onto the sheet. Keep going until all the mix is used up.

Step 03

Wrap the baking sheet with plastic wrap and let the balls sit in the fridge for half an hour or up to six hours before coating them.

Step 04

Set up three bowls. First bowl: beaten eggs. Second bowl: flour, salt, and pepper mixed together. Third bowl: breadcrumbs, ready to go.

Step 05

Take your chilled balls out of the fridge. Grab a second baking sheet and line it with parchment. Dip each ball into the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then roll it around in the eggs, and finally coat it all over in breadcrumbs so it’s entirely covered.

Step 06

Pour some oil into a sturdy pot, enough so it’s about an inch deep. Warm it over medium heat till it hits 350°F. Look for small bubbles forming, but don’t let it start smoking. Set aside plates lined with paper towels to drain the cooked food later.

Step 07

Place a few of the rice balls into the hot oil, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes. Don't crowd the pot; stick to a batch of 6 at a time. If they brown too quickly, lower the heat and let the oil cool a bit before frying more.

Step 08

Once the arancini are golden and crispy, take them out of the oil and set them on paper towels to drain. Let them cool down a few minutes, then dig in! Don’t forget to serve with marinara for dipping.

Notes

  1. Keep the oil temperature around 350°F to fry them perfectly
  2. You can prep these ahead of time and stick them in the fridge before frying
  3. This recipe is an awesome idea if you’ve got leftover risotto

Tools You'll Need

  • A big mixing bowl
  • Two baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Three bowls for the coating process
  • A sturdy pot for frying
  • Paper towels to drain the fried food

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy because of the cheeses
  • Has eggs as an ingredient
  • Gluten alert: flour and breadcrumbs are used

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~