These Low Carb Air Fryer Arancini Balls are made with cauliflower risotto and are deliciously amazing. They also don't have the starchy rice that can spike my blood sugars. My family didn't notice that they were not made with rice.
Stuffed with cheese and a sliver of basil, the perfect appetizer for your Sunday supper. They are made in the air fryer or oven often served with a keto Carbonara or a fresh Panzanella Salad.
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In the past, I would enjoy arancini at some of my favorite Italian restaurants in Toronto. However, once I stopped eating foods that affected my diabetes, I had to change what I ate. Luckily with this keto low carb recipe I can go back to enjoying arancini once again.
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Ingredient notes
- cauliflower risotto: The main ingredient here is a cauliflower risotto which I used my Keto Lemon Risotto recipe, without the lemon and it was perfect for this appetizer. Risotto is a must for arancini as the sticky cauliflower rice will hold it's shape once it sets.
- breadcrumbs: You can use pork rind crumbs for this recipe but if that is not your thing, try toasting some low carb bread and then blitzing them in the blender with some oregano and garlic powder. I will work on a non pork rind breadcrumb recipe soon, promise.
- parmesan: gives it that nutty flavour and adds a bit of saltiness which takes it to the next level.
- mozzarella: This is the perfect cheese for the filling but if you have any other melty cheese you can use that instead.
- basil: Fresh basil has an amazing fragrance and that tastes great in many dishes. I keep a basil plant in my home during the spring and summer months because I use it in many dishes like my keto pizza and in salads.
Step by step instructions
STEP 1: Make the cauliflower risotto using my Keto Lemon Risotto recipe but omit the lemon from the recipe. Store on a flat plate on wax or parchment paper in the fridge about an hour before using. I always use frozen cauliflower rice when I make my risotto.
STEP 2: Preheat the air fryer at 400 F
STEP 3: Preheat the air fryer to 400 FIn a medium size bowl combine the pork rind crumbs with the garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper and parmesan.
STEP 4: In another medium sized bowl beat 1 large egg
STEP 5: Cut 2 oz of mozzarella into 1" cubes and slice 2 basil leaves into thin strips.
STEP 6: Create an assembly line and form about 2 tablespoons of the risotto into a ball, then flatten it into your cupped hand, but don't make it too thin, or the filling will ooze out. To the centre add 1 cube of mozzarella and 1 or 2 strips of the basil.
STEP 7: Roll the balls into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture to lightly coat, set aside until all 6 balls are completed. I found it easier to form the 6 balls first and then dip into egg and breadcrumbs.
STEP 8: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and gently place the 6 arancini balls into the air fryer. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to do this in batches. See oven method note if you don't have an air fryer.
STEP 9: Spray the low carb air fryer arancini balls with cooking spray and air fry for 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from basket to allow them to set. They will fall apart if removed while they are still hot. Top with parmesan and additional basil strip, dip into your favourite low carb sauce.
Recipe tips and serving suggestions
What are arancini?
Arancini are typically a Sicilian staple cuisine, made with leftover risotto and often filled with ground meat, peas and cheese.
Can I use other filling in the balls?
Yes, you can fill the balls with all sorts of ingredients. I have had them with mushrooms, beet root, corn, sun dried tomatoes, olives and other meats such as ground chicken. I have also seen them filled with chocolate and made into a dessert.
What do you serve arancini with?
I enjoy them with a nice salad or a side to a big bowl of low carb pasta. Some roasted veggies and a minestrone soup would also go well with arancini.
How do you make the balls stick together?
The key is the sticky risotto, my risotto recipe includes cream cheese which makes it stick together and hold it's shape.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since these arancini balls are not made with a starchy rice, I made my risotto recipe with cream cheese which acts as a binder. If you did not follow the risotto recipe and simply used cauliflower rice, there may not be a proper binder to hold them together. Another reason is that you did not allow them to cool enough and moved them while they were still hot.
Yes, you can freeze prior to air frying or afterwards. Beforehand simple freeze them on a baking try until frozen and then place them in a ziploc bag. When ready to eat remove from freezer and allow to thaw completely. If you want to freeze after air frying, allow to completely cool and then freeze on a baking tray in the freezer, then place them in a ziploc. When ready to eat, thaw completely in the fridge and then reheat in the oven or air fry for 5 minutes at 325F.
Deep fry the balls in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
Yes, at only 2g net carbs per arancini they are keto, low carb and diabetes friendly and should easily fit into your macros.
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Recipe Card
Low Carb Air Fryer Arancini Balls
Instructional Recipe Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups cauliflower risotto See recipe (omit the lemon)
- 1 cup pork rind crumbs
- 1 large egg
- ⅔ cup grated parmesan
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 2 oz mozzarella
- 2 leaves basil
- Cooking Spray
- Use my Breadcrumb recipe instead of pork rinds
Instructions
- Make the cauliflower risotto using my Keto Lemon Risotto recipe but omit the lemon from the recipe. Store on a flat plate on wax or parchment paper in the fridge about an hour before using.
- Preheat air fryer at 400 °F
- In a medium size bowl combine the pork rind crumbs with the garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper and parmesan.
- In another medium sized bowl beat 1 large egg
- Cut 2 oz of mozzarella into 1 inch cubes and slice 2 basil leaves into thin strips.
- Create an assembly line and form about 2 tablespoons of the risotto into a ball, then flatten it into your cupped hand, but don't make it too thin, or the filling will ooze out. To the centre add 1 cube of mozzarella and 1 or 2 strips of the basil.
- Roll the balls into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumb mixture to lightly coat, set aside until all 6 balls are completed. I found it easier to form the 6 balls first and then dip into egg and breadcrumbs.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and gently place the 6 arancini balls into the air fryer. If you have a small air fryer, you may need to do this in batches. See note if making in baking in the oven method.
- Spray the arancini balls with cooking spray and air fry for 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from basket to allow them to set. They will fall apart if removed while they are still hot. Top with parmesan and additional basil strip, dip into your favourite low carb sauce.
- (Refer to the video instructions below if further clarification is needed)
Notes
Important Information
For more information, tips and variations please review the recipe video and content above and below the recipe card.
Updates and Revisions
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Nutritional Information
Nutrition info is estimated and varies by ingredients, measurements, and portions.
Julia says
Wow, I love these! I just saw someone make arancini balls on an episode of Masterchef, so excited to make it at home in an air fryer!
Rob says
Looks delicious! Can't wait to try this!
Jean says
really looks appetizing and I barely notice the caulifower!
Lar says
Love armacini and the air fryer method is brilliant!
Oscar Chimenti says
Thank you.
Ramona says
Gorgeous and really easy to make!
Oscar Chimenti says
Thank you.