These air fryer arancini, or fried rice balls, are full of flavor and make a wonderful appetizer. Pair with any dipping sauce such as pesto, marinara, or meat sauce for a heartier meal. The Highlands Italian cheese sprinkle is from the Savory Spice Shop, but it is optional.
Ingredients
- eggs: 3 piece (divided)
- ½ cups cooked rice: 2 piece
- Parmesan cheese: 0.66667 cup (grated)
- butter: 0.33333 cup (melted)
- Highlands Italian cheese sprinkle: 0.5 tsp (optional)
- salt: 0.5 tsp
- ground black pepper: 0.25 tsp
- ounces fresh mozzarella cheese: 2 piece (cubed)
- panko bread crumbs: 1 cup
- Italian seasoning: 0.5 tsp
- pinch salt: 1 piece
- pinch ground black pepper: 1 piece
- nonstick cooking spray:
Metric Conversion
Stages of cooking
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Beat 2 eggs lightly in a large bowl. Stir in rice, Parmesan cheese, butter, cheese sprinkle, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 20 minutes.
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Preheat an air fryer to 370 degrees F (187 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.
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Roll mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Press a mozzarella cube into the center of each ball and reshape.
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Combine bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Beat remaining egg lightly in a second bowl. Dip each rice ball first into egg, then roll in the bread crumb mixture. Place rice balls in air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray.
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Cook in the preheated air fryer for 6 minutes. Increase temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and air fry for 3 more minutes.
