Description
Delicious Italian-American Rice Balls filled with mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, seasoned with Italian herbs, and coated in crispy breadcrumbs. Perfectly fried to golden perfection, these cheesy rice balls make a delightful appetizer or party snack that’s irresistibly crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice Ball Mixture
- 2 cups cooked and cooled white rice (short-grain or sushi rice works best)
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pepperoni
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Breading Station
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten (for coating)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Italian-style or plain)
For Frying
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Instructions
- Prepare the rice ball mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled rice, shredded mozzarella, chopped pepperoni, grated Parmesan, one large egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated, then use your hands to shape the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls, pressing firmly to ensure they hold together.
- Set up the breading station: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Take each rice ball and roll it first in the flour, then dip into the eggs, and finally coat evenly with breadcrumbs to create a crispy exterior.
- Heat the oil: In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat about 2 inches of vegetable or canola oil to 350°F (175°C). Make sure the oil is hot enough to fry but not smoking to achieve a golden crisp texture.
- Fry the rice balls: Fry the breaded rice balls in batches, turning them occasionally for 3 to 4 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve warm: Serve the crispy rice balls hot with marinara sauce or ranch dressing as a dipping option for a perfect appetizer or party snack.
Notes
- For extra gooey centers, press a small cube of mozzarella into the center of each rice ball before shaping.
- For a lighter version, bake the rice balls at 400°F (204°C) for 20–25 minutes instead of frying. Spray lightly with cooking oil before baking to help crisp the exterior.
