Game changing air fryer risotto balls to try right now! We love our easy to make air fryer recipes! Use your leftover risotto to make these delicious arancini balls!
Air Fryer Risotto Balls (aka arancini balls)
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I am a huge risotto fan. I was intrigued by risotto after watching all the cooks on Hell’s Kitchen fail at the task of making it.
While many times it looked delicious, Gordon Ramsey was not happy with the quality and the consistency.
With that said, I decided that I needed to try it. Not that I was better than your average aspiring chef on Hell’s Kitchen. I just wanted to give it a try.
Fried Risotto Balls
I came to learn that it is actually not that hard to make. You just need to pay attention to it.
It likes attention on the stove. Constant stirring and adding of liquid. It is definitely an attention seeker in the kitchen.
We’ve created some mouthwatering risotto recipes that are amazingly easy. You have probably seen our other risotto recipes. If not, be sure to check out Broccoli and Cheese Risotto, Kale Risotto, and Spinach and Shallot Risotto!
What about the rice?
I have found that the key to good risotto is great rice. In our risotto recipes we generally use Lundberg White Arborio Rice. (affiliate ad link) For us, we like this rice because it is certified gluten-free.
Wondering what Arborio Rice is? It is actually a traditional rice used when cooking creamy Italian dishes! If you want a creamy texture with your rice, Arborio Rice is the rice to use!
Several years back my husband asked me to make risotto balls from our leftover risotto.
These delicious breaded balls are simply amazing. You are going to fall in love with the flavor of these little guys.
You can use your leftovers!
Since it uses your leftovers, it’s a huge bonus in the menu planning area! We love to eat and use leftovers!
Since air fryers are pretty hot right now, we decided to create some air fryer risotto balls. Heck, we cook everything in our air fryer! (affiliate ad link)
We love our air fryer baked potatoes, air fryer jalapeno poppers, air fryer tofu, air fryer Brussel sprouts, air fryer grilled cheese and air fryer French toast.
The options for air fryers (affiliate ad link) are simply endless! There are so many amazing delicious options out there now for easy air fryer recipes.
Back to these risotto balls. So we are using our left over risotto (or even making a new batch) and coating the risotto balls with breading.
In our case, we are gluten-free. So our breading will be gluten-free breading. If you don’t have any food restrictions, you can use your favorite bread crumbs.
In this particular recipe, we used Ian’s Gluten Free Italian Bread Crumbs. (affiliate ad link) These particular gluten-free bread crumbs are super allergen friendly. So if you need to avoid things like eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and wheat, you should check them out!
Risotto Balls (aka gluten free arancini balls) Recipe
Game changing air fryer risotto balls to try right now! We love our easy to make air fryer recipes! Use your leftover risotto to make these delicious arancini balls!
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 cup onions diced very small
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup arborio rice
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
- 1.5 cups Bread Crumbs I used Ian's GF Italian Pankos
- 2 eggs beaten
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If using leftover risotto, skip to step 6.
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Add olive oil to a deep and large saucepan over medium heat. Heat the oil Add the onions and saute until soft.
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Add dry rice and saute for 1 minute.
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Next, add 2 cups of veggie broth. Let the broth cook down while you continually stir to avoid any burning. Once the liquid has been cooked down, add 2 more cups. Continue with this process until all your liquid is absorbed and your rice is soft. This process should take about 20 minutes. Stir in parmesan.
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Pour risotto into a casserole dish or sheet pan. Cool for 1-2 hours in the fridge. (This step is very important. The risotto HAS to be cold to be able to be rolled into balls).
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In a small bowl, place the bread crumbs. In another bowl, place the beaten eggs.
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Remove chilled risotto (rice mixture) from the fridge. Roll into 1 inch rice balls. Dip into eggs then into bread crumbs to coat the entire ball. Do this until you run out of ingredients.
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Place rolled and coated balls back into the fridge for 45 minutes.
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Remove from fridge and place into Air Fryer in small batches. Free at 400 degrees F for a cooking time of 10 minutes. Shake at minute 8. The balls are actually done around minute 6-7 but the browning doesn't happen until minute 8-10 🙂
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Serve with marinara sauce and ENJOY!
Did you make this recipe?
Be sure to snap a picture and post it to Instagram with the hashtag #VegetarianMamma! I love seeing our recipes being recreated!Want more?
You might also like our Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts!
Or you might enjoy our Air Fryer Baked Potatoes!
Love Grilled Cheese? Maybe Air Fryer Grilled Cheese is what you need!
This air fryer tofu recipe is very simple and delicious!
Looking for other amazing bloggers with amazing recipes? Check out Gluten Free Palate, My Gluten Free Kitchen, MI Gluten Free Gal and Flippin Delicious.
Let’s talk!
Leave me a comment below telling me if you have an air fryer. What recipes have you tried in your air fryer? I’d love to know!
Stacie says
Those risotto balls sound amazing! I’ve never had anything like that, but they look ssoooooo good. Yummo!
Laura Dove says
Oh I LOVE risotto balls!! I always order them if they are on the menu, they are one of my favourites! I;d love to try and make our own.
Becky Willis says
Gosh the more I see them the more I realize we need an air fryer. These sound delicious and look just as good as they sound. I have never thought about using risotto to make something like this. I used to watch Hell’s Kitchen too and they were always ruining the risotto lol.
Jennifer Van Huss says
Those look fabulous but I don’t think I could cook them. I’m not one to pay attention in the kitchen. Normally I have little helpers and little ones running under my feet. Maybe one day I’ll graduate to this level as not to upset Ramsey
GiGi Eats says
RISOTTO BALLS??!??!?!?! Honestly, THE AIR FRYER IN GENERAL is a friggin’ GAME CHANGER!!! I AM OBSESSED – I want to get rid of ALL OF MY APPLIANCES and JUST KEEP the Air Fryer!!!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
Sounds awesome! I’ve never tried making risotto like this before. And I’m not sure if I’ve perfected the usual recipe that’s being shared. I wouldn’t mind trying this one though.
Kathy says
These look so amazing. I’ve never had these before either. We do have an air fryer as well and we love using it. I can’t wait to try this recipe out.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
You’re right that the trick to good risotto is good rice! I’ll have to try the rice you linked to. I love risotto anything so I must try these soon!
Lisa Bristol says
I have been wanting to get an Air Fryer. This risotto balls recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I will have to save this recipe.
Scott Gombar says
Welp, I have been on the fence about getting an air fryer but now I have to go get one. Thanks for sharing!
Cindy says
Yes, you need one. They are so much fun! They make cooking fun and give you delicious food! ha!
Athena says
Those look amazing. I have never had a risotto ball but now I really really want to!
Cindy says
We have them only a few times a year but love them!
Khushboo Motihar says
I have always wanted to buy an air fryer but I wasn’t sure it would be as effective as regular frying. Your recipes look so delicious. I am tempted to buy one for my kitchen, too
Cindy says
We are glad we made the purchase!
Christa says
I love risotto! This looks like a delicious recipe; I’ve never made risotto balls in an air fryer before!
Cindy says
They are so crisp and yummy!
Gladys Parker says
Everything looks just delicious especially the risotto balls. My family would love these as we have only tried a few things in our air fryer. A few ladies I get together with always bring gluten free snacks and now I will be able to also.
Cindy says
Fantastic! I hope that those you bring it for enjoy it as much as we do!
Wendy Polisi says
I hadn’t ever heard of Arborio rice. I will have to try it while making these yummy treats!
Cindy says
Yep, just a fancy name for “risotto” style rice 🙂
Amy h says
These look delicious! And easy to make. This reminds me, I really need to get an Air frier.
Cindy says
For sure!
Dianna says
These air fryer risotto balls look and sound wonderful. I know that if I made these for the holidays they would get eaten first.
Cindy says
Thank you!
Kelli A says
Another airfryer recipe!! YAY!! We just got one a few months ago and we use it all the time! Its amazing once you learn all the tips and tricks!
Cindy says
We love our air fryer too!
Fatima Torres says
Risotto balls are my mom’s favorite! I wonder if they have this air fryer at a local super market. I need to get my hands on one.
Cindy says
I’ve seen this model at Khols and Amazon 🙂
Cindy Ingalls says
I really wish I had an air fryer so I could try all these delicious recipes out. These risotto balls would be perfect for upcoming holiday parties.
Cindy says
We love our air fryer!
P says
When do u add the parmesan cheese?
Cindy says
I adjust the recipe directions to make that clear! Thanks for letting me know. You add it in Step 4. So once all that liquid is mostly absorbed add in the cheese. Stir to mix and then move onto step 5 to cool the risotto down 🙂