Fried rice balls are crispy on the outside, with fluffy and buttery rice on the inside. They're easy to customize with your choice of herbs, spices or gooey cheese.
Fried Rice Balls
Updated on Sep. 18, 2024
An easy twist on ragu-stuffed arancini, fried rice balls are light and crisp, with a fluffy center, and you don’t need to have arborio or carnaroli rice on hand to make them. They’re easy to fry up, especially if you have a deep-fryer at the ready, and you can season the rice with any combination of herbs and spices you like. Deep-fried rice balls will very likely steal the spotlight from your main dish!
Ingredients for Fried Rice Balls
- Long grain rice: The starring ingredient, long grain rice provides the structure for these fried rice balls. The grains hold their shape well after cooking, without turning into mush, making this type of rice ideal for forming balls that won’t fall apart.
- Butter: The butter adds richness and buttery flavor to the cooked rice, enhancing its taste.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs bind the rice balls together, helping them hold their shape during frying.
- Parmesan cheese: A little grated Parmesan adds a salty, cheesy flavor to these Italian fried rice balls.
- Dried parsley flakes: Largely for visual interest, dried parsley flakes provide a little color and a subtle flavor.
- Seasoned bread crumbs: Seasoned bread crumbs create a crispy golden-brown coating on the fried rice balls. You can substitute plain bread crumbs, but you’ll want to add some salt, garlic powder, paprika and any other seasonings you like. Otherwise the plain breading mixture may be bland.
- Oil: To deep-fry these rice balls, you need an oil with a high smoke point. This can be vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, corn oil or even avocado oil.
Directions
Step 1: Simmer the rice
In a large saucepan, bring the water, rice, butter, salt and pepper to a boil. Reduce the heat, then cover and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Let the rice cool slightly.
Step 2: Season the rice
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, parsley and rice. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Bread the rice balls
Place the bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl. Shape 1/2 cups of the rice mixture into balls, then roll the balls in bread crumbs.
Step 4: Fry the rice balls
In a deep-fat fryer or electric skillet, heat the oil to 375°F. Fry the rice balls, a few at a time, until they’re golden brown, two to three minutes. Drain them on paper towels.
Editor’s Tip: No deep-fat fryer? No problem. Grab your cast-iron Dutch oven and deep-fry on the stovetop.
Fried Rice Ball Variations
- Add herbs or spices: Season the egg mixture with dried herbs or spices to suit the flavor of whatever you plan to serve with your rice balls.
- Toss in more cheese: Add a cube of cheddar, Monterey Jack, fontina or mozzarella into the center of each ball before breading and frying them. The finished balls will have a gooey cheese center!
- Make them with vegetables: Incorporate vegetables like grated carrots, peas or corn into the rice mixture for extra nutrients, texture and flavor.
How to Store Fried Rice Balls
The best way to store leftover fried rice balls is to let them cool completely on a wire rack to prevent sogginess. Once they’re cool, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to three days.
How do you reheat fried rice balls?
When you’re ready to reheat them, do so in a preheated oven at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they’re warmed through. For a crispy exterior, you can also reheat them in a skillet with a little oil.
Fried Rice Ball Tips
Can you cook fried rice balls in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook fried rice balls in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400°, and place the rice balls in the air-fryer basket. Cook them for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy. To ensure even browning, shake the basket halfway through cooking to roll them around a bit.
Can you use leftover rice for this recipe?
Yes, you can use leftover rice for this recipe. It’s a great way to turn those leftovers into something interesting!
How do you know when the rice balls are cooked?
Because the rice itself has already been cooked until it’s tender, the rice balls only need to cook long enough for the breading on the exterior to become golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Fried Rice Balls
Prep Time
35 min
Cook Time
5 min
Yield
12 servings
Ingredients
- 4-1/2 cups water
- 2 cups uncooked long grain rice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- 1-3/4 cups seasoned bread crumbs
- Oil for deep-fat frying
Directions
- In a large saucepan, bring the water, rice, butter, salt and pepper to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, cheese, parsley and rice. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes. Place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Shape 1/2 cups of rice mixture into balls; roll in bread crumbs.
- In a deep-fat fryer or electric skillet, heat oil to 375°. Fry rice balls, a few at a time until golden brown, 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts
1 rice ball: 343 calories, 20g fat (3g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 461mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
Loading Popular in the Community
My mother moved in with us about eight years ago and started making this side dish. Now that she is her ninety's, I've taken over the duty of making these unique rice balls. Everyone in our family is thrilled to see them when they are placed on the table.—Elizabeth Blake, Chesapeake, Virginia
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