Description
Savory rice balls with cheese & pepperoni bring Italian street food magic straight to your kitchen. Classic comfort meets portable pleasure, offering crispy exterior and melty interior that hungry crowds will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups rice
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup pepperoni, chopped
Binding Ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp parmesan cheese
Seasoning & Coating:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup olive oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Cook rice according to package instructions, then spread on a large tray to cool and reach room temperature, ensuring grains are separated and not clumpy.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooled rice, shredded mozzarella, and finely diced pepperoni, gently folding ingredients to create an even distribution.
- Whisk eggs in a separate bowl, then incorporate breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper, creating a cohesive binding mixture.
- Pour egg mixture into rice combination, thoroughly blending until ingredients adhere and can be easily shaped.
- Using damp hands, form compact golf ball-sized spheres, pressing firmly to ensure they maintain structural integrity.
- Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat (approximately 350°F), preparing for frying.
- Carefully lower rice balls into hot oil, rotating periodically to achieve a uniform golden-brown exterior, cooking for 3-4 minutes.
- Remove rice balls with a slotted spoon, placing on paper towels to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Serve immediately alongside warm marinara sauce for dipping, presenting as a delectable appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Use short-grain rice for better binding and a more cohesive texture that holds together perfectly when forming balls.
- Ensure rice is completely cooled to room temperature before mixing to prevent soggy or mushy rice balls.
- Pat hands with water while shaping to prevent rice from sticking and create smooth, uniform spheres that won’t fall apart during frying.
- Experiment with alternative cheese options like sharp cheddar or provolone to customize flavor profiles and suit different taste preferences.
- For a lighter version, bake rice balls in a preheated oven at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through for even browning.
- Create a gluten-free variation by substituting breadcrumbs with ground almonds or gluten-free panko for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg