Make the Best Appetizer with Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini, also Known as Italian Rice Balls
These Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini are a delicious appetizer made with cold jasmine rice, seasonings, gluten-free bread crumbs, and a warm mozzarella cheese center. Arancini, often called Italian rice balls, are known for their crisp coating and soft, cheesy middle. This air fryer version gives you that satisfying golden texture without deep frying, making it a great option for a party, family dinner, game day snack, or simple side dish.
This recipe is easy to prepare and works especially well when you have leftover rice in the refrigerator. The rice mixture is shaped around small pieces of mozzarella, chilled until firm, coated in a gluten-free breading, and then cooked in the air fryer until crisp. Serve these rice balls warm with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for a comforting appetizer everyone can enjoy.
The best part about this recipe is that it can be made gluten-free with just a few simple swaps. The inside is filled with mozzarella cheese, while the outside becomes crisp and flavorful in the air fryer. Each bite has a balance of seasoned rice, vegetables, crunchy breading, and melted cheese.
How do you make Gluten-Free Arancini?
To make gluten-free arancini, you only need to replace the traditional flour and bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives. Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour that is designed as a 1:1 substitute for regular flour. The breading also needs to be gluten-free, and this recipe uses both gluten-free panko bread crumbs and gluten-free fine bread crumbs for the best texture.
The panko gives the rice balls a crisp, airy coating, while the fine bread crumbs help create an even crust. You will also add gluten-free bread crumbs directly to the rice mixture to help bind everything together. Because gluten-free products can vary, always check the labels of your flour, bread crumbs, seasonings, and other packaged ingredients if you are cooking for someone with a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
The remaining ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but it is still important to check for cross-contamination warnings. This is especially true for packaged seasonings, bread crumbs, and flour blends. Taking a few extra minutes to read labels helps keep the recipe safe and truly gluten-free.
What type of rice do you use for Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini?
Cold, cooked jasmine rice works best for this Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini recipe. Day-old rice is ideal because it has a slightly sticky texture when chilled, which makes it much easier to shape into balls. Freshly cooked warm rice may be too soft and difficult to handle, so plan ahead if possible and cook the rice the day before.
If your rice mixture does not feel sticky enough after mixing, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil as noted in the recipe instructions. The exact amount may depend on the moisture level of your rice. The mixture should hold together well enough to wrap around the mozzarella without falling apart.
How to serve Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini
Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini are best served warm, while the coating is crisp and the cheese center is soft. Marinara sauce is a classic choice for dipping, but you can serve them with any sauce you enjoy. These rice balls are easy to pick up and eat, making them perfect as finger food for gatherings or as a fun appetizer before dinner.
They also pair well with a simple salad, roasted vegetables, or another air fryer main dish. If you are serving them for a party, arrange them on a platter with a bowl of warm sauce in the center so guests can dip them easily.
Variations of this dish
- Make it Spicy – Add chili powder, red pepper flakes, or lemon pepper for extra flavor.
- Make it Kid-Friendly – Use Colby Jack instead of mozzarella sticks for a milder, familiar cheese filling.
- Make it Deluxe – Add spinach or finely chopped mushrooms to the rice mixture.
How do you store the leftovers?
Store leftover arancini in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let them cool before storing so they do not create too much moisture in the container.
When you are ready to serve them again, reheat the arancini in the air fryer at 380°F for 5 to 7 minutes, or until warmed through and crisp on the outside. This helps bring back the crunchy coating better than reheating in the microwave.
Enjoy these Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini as a flavorful appetizer, snack, or side dish. They are crisp, cheesy, and simple to make with leftover rice and a few gluten-free pantry staples.
Gluten-Free Air Fryer Arancini
Ingredients
Rice Mixture
- 2 cups cold cooked sticky jasmine rice
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped white onion
- 1 orange bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp parsley
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup gluten-free bread crumbs
- 2-3 mozzarella sticks, cut into ten 1-inch pieces
Breading
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp water
- 3/4 cup gluten-free panko bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup gluten-free fine bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
- grapeseed oil spray
Instructions
Rice Mixture
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice, olive oil, onion, bell pepper, flour, cornstarch, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and pepper.
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Mix with a fork or Danish dough whisk until everything is evenly combined.
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Add the gluten-free bread crumbs and mix well.
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The mixture should be sticky. If it is too dry, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil, depending on the texture of the rice.
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Using a large cookie scoop, about 3 tablespoons, scoop the rice mixture into your palm and shape it into a ball.
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Place one piece of mozzarella in the center, then gently roll the rice around the cheese until fully enclosed. Place on a plate and repeat with the remaining mixture.
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Freeze the shaped rice balls for at least 45 minutes.
Breading
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Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
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Prepare three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk together the egg and water. In the second bowl, add the flour. In the third bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs and fine bread crumbs.
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Remove the chilled arancini from the freezer.
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Roll each rice ball in the flour and shake off the excess.
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Dip it into the egg mixture and let any excess drip off.
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Roll it in the bread crumb mixture until evenly coated.
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Place the coated arancini in the air fryer basket and spray with grapeseed oil cooking spray.
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Leave space between each rice ball so the air can circulate.
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Air fry at 380°F for 6 minutes.
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Flip and cook for another 6 minutes. If needed, spray with a little more grapeseed oil to help the coating become golden and crisp.
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Repeat with any remaining arancini.
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Serve warm with your sauce of choice.
Notes
If gluten-free ingredients are not needed, regular flour and bread crumbs may be used.
Cut the onion into very small pieces so it blends into the rice mixture and does not overpower the arancini.
Grapeseed oil spray or olive oil spray helps the coating turn golden brown. Grapeseed oil spray is preferred because it has a higher smoke point, but either option will work.
Nutrition
Calories: 297 kcal
Carbohydrates: 53 g
Protein: 6 g
Fat: 7 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g
Trans Fat: 0.002 g
Cholesterol: 25 mg
Sodium: 375 mg
Potassium: 95 mg
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 1 g
Vitamin A: 402 IU
Vitamin C: 16 mg
Calcium: 33 mg
Iron: 1 mg
