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Authentic Italian Arancini Recipe

Authentic Italian Arancini


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4.6 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Rice lovers will adore these Italian arancini, classic Sicilian street food packed with creamy risotto and gooey cheese. Golden-brown spheres offer a delightful crunch that transports you straight to Sicily’s bustling markets.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml) arborio rice (or short-grain risotto rice)
  • 4 cups (960 ml) chicken or vegetable broth (hot)
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) mozzarella cheese (cut into small cubes)
  • ½ cup cooked ground beef (seasoned with salt & pepper, optional)
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) peas (optional, for extra texture)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsps unsalted butter
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 eggs (beaten)
  • 2 egg yolks (beaten, for binding)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (Italian or Panko for extra crunch)
  • Vegetable oil (for frying, about 3-4 cups)

Instructions

  1. Broth Preparation: Craft a fragrant broth and delicately simmer Arborio rice, consistently stirring to encourage liquid absorption and develop a luxurious, creamy consistency.
  2. Rice Enrichment: Fold Parmesan, butter, and egg yolks into the cooked rice, transforming the mixture into a velvety, indulgent base for arancini.
  3. Cooling and Structuring: Spread rice across a flat surface, allowing complete cooling and stabilization for precise shaping of individual portions.
  4. Filling and Molding: Portion cooled rice, creating a small cavity in each segment to nestle mozzarella cubes, optional meat, or peas at the center, then carefully encase the filling by forming uniform spherical shapes.
  5. Breading Technique: Establish a three-stage breading process by systematically rolling rice balls through flour, immersing in beaten eggs, and thoroughly coating with breadcrumbs, ensuring an even, crisp exterior.
  6. Frying Precision: Heat oil to 350F in a deep pot, gently submerging breaded rice balls in small batches to maintain optimal temperature and prevent overcrowding, rotating periodically to achieve a uniform golden-brown crust.
  7. Serving Presentation: Transfer crispy arancini to absorbent paper towels to drain excess oil, then serve immediately with marinara sauce or a delicate Parmesan cheese garnish for an enhanced flavor profile.

Notes

  • Choose Right Rice: Select high-starch Arborio or Carnaroli rice for creamy, sticky texture that helps rice balls hold perfect shape.
  • Cool Rice Completely: Let rice mixture cool thoroughly at room temperature, allowing grains to firm up and become easier to shape without falling apart.
  • Consistent Size Matters: Use a small ice cream scoop or uniform hand-rolling technique to create identically sized arancini for even cooking and professional presentation.
  • Master Breading Technique: Press breadcrumbs firmly onto rice balls, ensuring complete and even coating for maximum crispiness and preventing filling from leaking during frying.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg