Ham and Cheese Arancini Italian Fried Rice Balls

Crispy, golden, and irresistibly cheesy, these Ham and Cheese Arancini Italian Fried Rice Balls are the ultimate bite-sized indulgence. Featuring creamy risotto made with Arborio rice, sautéed onions, and Parmesan cheese, this recipe takes Italian comfort food to the next level by adding savory diced ham and a gooey mozzarella cheese center. Each rice ball is delicately breaded and fried to perfection, creating a crunchy exterior that gives way to melty, cheesy goodness with every bite. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or party treat, these arancini pair beautifully with marinara sauce for dipping. Simple to make yet impressively decadent, this recipe is a must-try for anyone craving authentic Italian flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups Arborio rice
• 4 cups Chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 1 medium Yellow onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 cups Diced ham
• 4 ounces Mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 0.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 3 Eggs, beaten
• 1.5 cups Breadcrumbs
• 4 cups Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, heat the chicken stock over medium heat and keep it warm.

Step 2

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and stir to coat it in the butter. Toast the rice for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 4

Slowly add one ladle of warm chicken stock to the rice, stirring constantly until absorbed. Repeat this process, one ladle at a time, until the rice is tender and creamy (about 20 minutes).

Step 5

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Allow the risotto to cool completely.

Step 6

Once the risotto is cool, mix in the diced ham. Take about 2 tablespoons of the rice mixture and form it into a ball. Flatten the ball slightly, place a cube of mozzarella in the center, and wrap the rice around it to form a sealed ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture.

Step 7

Prepare a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.

Step 8

Coat each rice ball in flour, dip it into the beaten eggs, then roll it in breadcrumbs until fully coated. Place the breaded balls on a plate or tray.

Step 9

Heat the vegetable oil in a large, deep pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 10

Fry the rice balls in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per batch). Do not overcrowd the pot.

Step 11

Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried arancini and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 12

Serve the Ham and Cheese Arancini immediately, with marinara sauce on the side if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3407.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	11006.7

Total Fat 1048.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 175.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.7g
Cholesterol 872.0mg	0%
Sodium 8224.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 277.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.6g	0%
Total Sugars 22.5g
Protein 160.0g	0%

Vitamin D 124.5IU	0%
Calcium 1568.0mg	0%
Iron 22.5mg	0%
Potassium 836.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 84.4%

Protein: 5.7%

Carbs: 9.9%