Oven-Baked Gluten Free Arancini Recipe - no frying required! (2024)

FAQs

How do you stop arancini from falling apart? ›

If your arancini consistently falls apart, you're likely skipping one crucial step: chilling your risotto for long enough. After cooking your risotto, make sure you're chilling in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but up to 6.

Risotto balls go by many names in Italy, from arancini in Sicily to supplì al telefono in Rome. Arancini means little oranges, a nod to their rotund and golden appearance, while supplì al telefono refers to the long telephone cord-like strings of molten mozzarella that emerge when you bite into the balls.

Once all the arancini are formed, freeze for 20 minutes.

This will help them remain perfectly round as they fry.

If you don't have a lot of time to chill the rice, make sure it's spread out as thin as possible. It's important for the starches to gel in order for the rice balls to stick together. The minimum amount of time that I have chilled the rice is 1 hour, and the arancini held together successfully.

Your hands should be firm enough when pressing the onigiri so the rice doesn't fall apart when you shape it. You don't want to squeeze the rice too tight. Rotate the rice balls every time you give gentle pressure. After rotating 3-5 times, the rice ball should be in good shape.

Use short-grained sushi rice and cook according to the directions. I like to add about 1/4 cup more water per cup of rice to make it stickier.

Arancini are meant to be enjoyed as a finger food, on their own or with Homemade Marinara on the side to bring out the herby flavors. They also go great with a variety of appetizers, from roasted vegetables to bite-sized meatballs. Serve them at your next party or pack them up for an outing.

Arancini (UK: /ˌærənˈtʃiːni/, US: /ˌɑːr-/, Italian: [aranˈtʃiːni]; Sicilian: [aɾanˈtʃiːnɪ, -ˈdʒiː-]; sg. : arancino), also known as arancine ( sg. : arancina), are Italian rice balls that are stuffed, coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried. They are a staple of Sicilian cuisine.

These deep fried risotto balls pair well with pretty much any Italian-based dish and depending on what's inside them you can serve with vegetables, salads, relish or pasta. Stick with classic Italian flavours and you can't go wrong.

Pro tip: arancini can be frozen before or after being fried. If you freeze them before, just fry them like you normally would and finish cooking them in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

What if arancini balls are too wet? ›

At this point, the risotto will be sticky. However, if the mixture is too wet to roll a ball, then gradually add in more parmesan cheese and bread crumbs until you can just form a ball. The balls will stay together after you dredge them. Wet hands (or lightly floured hands) help when dredging.

You can use wet hands if too sticky. Place on parchment paper. Repeat to make 12 large rice balls or make smaller if preferred. Line up the dredging station.

If it is not properly chilled, it will fall apart in the hot oil instead of forming crisp, glistening, orbs filled with molten cheese.

Cook's tips: To get ahead, freeze the arancini after they're cooked. Wrap in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 180C.

Arancini can keep in the fridge for up to 5 days if covered. They're best reheated in a hot (400 F) oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the exterior to get crispy again and the interior to get melty. However, you can eat them cold, too, if desired.

Freshly cooked rice is warm, moist, and sticky, which makes it easier to shape into the desired form and ensures that the onigiri holds together well. Wet Your Hands: Keep a bowl of water next to you when shaping the rice balls and wet your hands when the mixture gets too sticky.

Be sure to freeze your rice until it's firm enough to cut through easily. This not only helps with the cutting process but also helps when frying. If it's not cold enough, the rice blocks fall apart when you're frying them.

You have to be using a short grain, sticky or sushi rice, it's the starch that really helps it stick. The longer the grain doesn't have as much starch in it so it wont stick together the same way. A lot the common rices you find used in American food are longer grain and that wont stick really well.

Starting with freshly cooked or well-chilled rice guarantees it won't clump up as you stir-fry it. Frying in batches compensates for the low heat output of Western stovetops. Keeping the seasoning very light allows the flavor of the rice and aromatics to come through.