Home Recipes Air-fried Mozzarella Rice Balls

Air-fried Mozzarella Rice Balls

Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside — these Air-Fried Mozzarella Rice Balls are everything you want in a game-day snack. Made with USA Rice, they combine creamy rice with melty mozzarella, rolled into bite-sized balls and crisped up in the air fryer (or oven). Think of them as an American-Italian twist on arancini — perfect for popping during a tense 3rd down. They’re easy to prep ahead and serve warm or cold. Recipe courtesy of Nutrition by Meagan in partnership with USA Rice.

Ingredients

2 cups	cooked long grain white rice
3	eggs
3/4 cup	italian breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp	sea salt
1/2 tsp	oregano
1/2 tsp	red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp	garlic powder
110 g	fresh mozzarella pearls
1/2	jalapeño, thinly sliced
	avocado oil spray
1 Tbsp	parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp	fresh chopped parsley
1 cup	marinara sauce

Step 1
Cook rice according to package instructions.
Step 2
Add rice to a medium mixing bowl and loosely mash with a fork (this makes it easier to form into balls later).
Step 3
Add 1 egg to rice along with ¼ cup breadcrumbs and sea salt, and mix to together.
Step 4
Form rice mixture into flat circles about 1.5" thick, place a mozzarella pearl in the center of each, and fold the rice around the cheese to form a ball.
Step 5
Place remaining 2 eggs into a small mixing bowl and whisk, then set aside.
Step 6
Add remaining ½ cup breadcrumbs to another small mixing bowl along with oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.
Step 7
Dip each rice ball into egg wash and then into breadcrumbs (roll balls in breadcrumbs to coat evenly).
Step 8
Place rice balls into air fryer basket, heat air fryer to 375F, and bake for 12 mins until crispy and golden brown on the outside.
Step 9
Plate mozzarella rice balls with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, and jalapeños.
Step 10
Serve with marinara sauce to dip and enjoy!

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Air-fried Mozzarella Rice Balls

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