Air Fryer Arancini are a game-changer for anyone craving a crunchy, cheesy treat without the guilt of deep frying. Picture this: creamy risotto, often flavored with herbs and maybe even some gooey mozzarella hiding in the center, all rolled into perfect little balls that get a golden-brown crust thanks to your trusty air fryer. The best part? You can whip these up faster than you think—just coat them in seasoned breadcrumbs and pop them in the air fryer for about 10-15 minutes! Not only do you save on oil, but you also get that satisfyingly crispy texture we all love. Serve them with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, and boom—you’ve got an appetizer or snack that’s sure to impress at any gathering (or just for indulging during Netflix binge-watching). Super easy and oh-so-delicious!
Ingredients
1 cup dry arborio rice
1/4 white wine
3 cups chicken broth
Olive oil
Cooking spray
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup + 3 Tbsp Italian bread crumbs
15 1/2 inch cubes of fresh mozzarella or
packet of mozzarella balls
Warm marinara for serving
Method
Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a medium sauce pan and saute the garlic over medium heat until golden.
Add the rice and stir until toasted, about 2 minutes.
Add the wine and cook until completely absorbed into the rice.
Add the chicken broth and cook until absorbed by the rice. This may take as long as 15-20 minutes.
Add the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Transfer rice mixture to the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Add 3 Tbsp of bread crumbs to the rice and mix well.
Form rice into 15 even sized balls.
Press a cube of mozzarella (or several small balls) into center of each ball.
Roll balls again until nice and smooth.
Refrigerate balls for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees.
Spread 1/2 cup bread crumbs on a plate and roll each arancini in bread crumbs until coated.
Add arancini to air fryer basket, spray tops with cooking spray and cook until golden, about 10 minutes.
Transfer to a platter and serve with marinara.
