Rice balls are a classic and delicious recipe, ideal for reusing leftover rice, transforming it into a tasty snack or appetizer. And when we talk about preparing it in the air fryer, we were able to make the recipe even healthier, without losing the crunchiness and flavor. The air fryer allows the dumplings to be golden and crispy on the outside, with a soft and flavorful interior, without the need for a lot of oil.
If you are looking for a practical and lighter way to make rice balls without sacrificing flavor, this recipe is for you! We will teach you step by step how to make rice balls in the air fryer, quickly and easily.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice (leftover from another meal or fresh)
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (mozzarella, parmesan or other cheese of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons of wheat flour (or more, if necessary, to bind)
- 1/4 cup chopped onion (optional, but adds flavor)
- 1 clove of minced garlic (optional, but adds a special touch)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or chives
- Olive oil or spray oil (to grease the air fryer basket)
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation:
- Prepare the rice mixture: In a large bowl, add the cooked rice. Then add the egg, grated cheese, chopped onion, garlic and parsley. Mix well until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add the flour: Add the wheat flour to the mixture to bind it together. If the dough is too soft, add more flour little by little until you can shape the balls. The texture should be firm enough that you can form the balls, but not dry.
- Season: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remember that the cheese already has a salty flavor, so it's important to adjust the seasoning carefully.
- Shape the cupcakes: With your hands lightly greased with oil or a little flour, shape the dough into medium-sized balls, about the size of a walnut. Try to keep them compact so they don't fall apart during the cooking process.
- Preheat the airfryer: Before you start frying the dumplings, preheat your air fryer to 180°C for about 3 minutes. This will help ensure that the dumplings are crispy and golden brown.
- Grease the airfryer basket: Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray. This will help ensure that the dumplings are crispy without sticking.
- Cooking the dumplings: Place the dumplings in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them so that the air can circulate and they crisp up evenly. Do not overload the basket.
- Airfry: Cook the dumplings at 180°C for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside. During the cooking time, you can turn the dumplings halfway through to ensure that they are golden brown on both sides.
- Serve: Remove the dumplings from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Now, serve them! They are delicious on their own or with your favorite sauce, such as hot sauce, seasoned mayonnaise or homemade tomato sauce.
Tips to Make Your Rice Cake in the Airfryer Even Tastier:
- Fillings: You can add pieces of cheese inside the dumplings to make them even more filling and tasty. Mozzarella, cheddar or Minas cheese are great options.
- Extra seasonings: Add Calabrian pepper, oregano or even curry to give the recipe a more exotic touch.
- Alternatives to wheat flour: If you want a gluten-free version, replace the wheat flour with rice flour or oat flour.
- Avoid excess oil: The air fryer already guarantees wonderful crispiness with little or no oil, so avoid using too much oil to make your dumplings lighter and healthier.
