I created these Gluten Free Arancini Rice Balls after trying them for the first time in Italy because they were one of the best things I’ve ever eaten! To be completely honest, these homemade ones are just as good as the ones we enjoyed on our trip!
Gluten Free Arancini Rice Balls
What You’ll Need:
Click the ingredient name for the exact product I use and recommend for this recipe!
- Arborio Rice, cooked according to the package instructions
- Eggs, 1 for the rice mixture and 1 for the dredging process
- Mozzarella, shredded & cubed
- Italian Seasoning
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Salt & Pepper
- Gluten Free Flour
- Gluten Free Breadcrumbs
- Avocado Oil
DIETARY NOTES
This recipe is made with real ingredients and fits seamlessly into the following dietary needs when using the products/brands (or ones that are similar) listed in the recipe:
- gluten free
- nut free
- tree nut free
- refined sugar free
- vegetarian
A NOTE ON CALORIE COUNT, NUTRITIONAL INFO AND SERVING SIZES
Due to my past experiences, I do not include most of the above information within my recipes as it is unsafe for me to do so personally. While I try to share a rough estimate when it comes to the serving size, please note that it is very subjective as we all have different hunger levels both from person to person and even from meal to meal.
If any of the above information is important to you, I understand! We are all different and have various goals and needs. If you’d like, you are welcome to calculate the information needed based on the ingredients you use when making one of my recipes.
Hungry for more?
Make it a meal and enjoy these with:
- Italian Chopped Salad
- Pesto Ricotta Zucchini Roll Ups
- Creamy Pesto Pasta
- Creamy Lemon Sorbet
- Hugo Spritz
FOLLOW ALONG
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok to see all of the behind the scenes of recipe creation as well as how to videos to watch them come to life! You can also head over to my Pinterest to save all of my recipes in one spot that you plan whip up in the future.
PS – If you make this recipe or any of my other recipes, I would be so grateful if you left a review so I can hear what you think! I also am happy to answer any questions you may have on here, but if you want a quicker response, be sure to shoot me a message on Instagram. Thank you so much and talk soon!
Gluten Free Arancini Rice Balls
Ingredients
Rice Mixture
- 3 cups cooked arborio rice, cooled completely
- 1 egg
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- salt & pepper, to taste
- 6 small cubes mozzarella (optional, for the center of the rice balls)
Dredging Station
- ¼ cup gluten free all purpose flour
- 1 egg, whisked
- ½ cup gluten free breadcrumbs
Toppings (Optional)
- marinara sauce
- parsley
- grated parmesan
Instructions
- Cook rice according to the package instructions. I like to cook my rice in chicken bone broth for additional flavor and because it holds together nicely, but water also works great.
- Once rice is cooked, spread it out on a parchment lined baking sheet and allow to cool completely. Note that the rice must be completely cool or else the rice balls will not hold their shape as well.
- Mix together an egg, shredded mozzarella and seasoning, then combine with the rice until fully incorporated.
- Roll the rice mixture into 6 balls, then flatten each slightly to put a cube of mozzarella in the center, and roll again to form a ball. Be sure to pack the rice together tightly and if it seems to be not holding its shape very well, allow the balls to cool in the fridge for 10 minutes or so.
- Set up the dredging and frying station. In 3 separate shallow bowls, add flour, a whisked egg and breadcrumbs. On the stove, bring a pot full of avocado oil (I typically use 1-2 bottles to fry with) to 350℉. I use a thermometer here because it is important the oil is the right temperature for cooking purposes and also so that the oil doesn't get too hot.
- One at a time, take a rice ball and roll it in the flour, then egg, the breadcrumbs, ensuring the ball is fully covered after each ingredient.
- Using a spider strainer, gently transfer each rice ball into the oil for 3-5 minutes, ensuring the oil is the correct temperature and watching to make sure the ball is just golden brown and not popping open.
- Place each ball to dry/cool on a towel, then serve with marinara sauce and top with parsley and parmesan if you so wish.
Can you air fry them
Air frying would not work with this recipe!
Cannot wait to try this recipe! I miss Arancini since being GF!
Question about the oil. When finished deep frying, can the oil be strained and used again?
It depends what oil you use! I usually use avocado oil and it cannot be used again.