Leftovers Before Liftoff–Arancini Balls
The leftovers game. Sometimes it’s a chore, and other times you discover a new favorite. The latter is definitely what happened in this case. Arancini are Italian rice balls that apparently came from the use of leftover risotto, so it stands to reason that making extra risotto is always a good idea! While most Arancini I see in restaurants are fried, I decided to bake them instead for a slightly healthier take on these crispy, crunchy bites.
Servings Prep Time
18balls 10minutes
Cook Time
15minutes
Servings Prep Time
18balls 10minutes
Cook Time
15minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray.
  2. Using your hands (time to get a little messy!), create balls of risotto that are about 2 inches in diameter. Carefully roll the rice ball in the egg wash.
  3. Remove from egg wash and coat with breadcrumbs
  4. Place arancini balls on baking sheet, about 3 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the arancini are crispy on the outside.
  5. Serve immediately as an appetizer, as a side dish, or as a main dish with pasta sauce.
  6. Any extra can be stored in a freezer safe container and frozen for up to a month. Remove and bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes until warmed through. Keep them on hand for a quick snack or for friends who may drop by for a visit!
Recipe Notes

When we had those delicious Arancini Balls at a restaurant recently, they were served with a marinara sauce.  It was a perfect start to a fantastic meal, and could be inspiration for you, too, if you also have pasta sauce to use up.  You can also make these Arancini as small or as large as you like; just be sure to adjust the cooking time and keep an eye on them to make sure they crisp up but don’t burn.

Arancini Appetizer

Also, I used regular, fine bread crumbs here.  But you could season the breadcrumbs for a variation on flavor (Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, more cheese), or use different breadcrumbs for a change in texture (Panko, crushed saltines, homemade breadcrumbs). 

I figure if you’re already playing with leftovers, why not use up other items in your pantry or refrigerator for a whole new meal?!