Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini

Name: Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked risotto (cooled); 1 cup mozzarella cheese (cubed and frozen for 10 minutes); 2 eggs (beaten); 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; salt and pepper (to taste); cooking spray or oil (as needed)

Last winter, I stood in my kitchen staring into the pantry, craving something warm, cheesy, and comforting. I had leftover risotto from the night before and a fresh block of mozzarella. As someone who’s obsessed with transforming leftovers into gourmet air fryer creations, I decided to try something daring Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini. I wasn’t even sure if it would work in the air fryer, but I figured, why not?

Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini with melted cheese — Perfectly crispy mozzarella-stuffed arancini made in the air fryer

The moment I pulled those golden orbs out of the air fryer and saw gooey mozzarella stretch with the first bite, I knew I had struck gold. And that’s how my obsession with arancini began.

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about making the perfect Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini from ingredients and tips to variations and pro techniques. If you’re a fan of crispy textures, cheesy centers, and kitchen hacks, keep reading.

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Table of Contents

What is Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini?

Arancini are Italian rice balls typically filled with ragù, peas, or mozzarella, then deep-fried. But in this air-fried twist, we’re skipping the oil bath while keeping all the crisp.

By using an air fryer, you still get the crunchy outer shell without the extra grease. Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini are healthier, faster, and just as addictive as the traditional version.

These cheesy risotto balls are perfect for:

Meal prepping
Party appetizers
Using leftover risotto creatively

Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini

Transform leftover risotto into golden, crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini the ultimate cheesy, crunchy comfort snack that’s lighter than the traditional deep-fried version.

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Prep Time 25

Cook Time 12

Cheese Freezing Time 10

Total Time 45

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 320 kcal

Equipment

Air Fryer
Mixing Bowls
Tongs

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

2 cups cooked risotto cooled
1 cup mozzarella cheese cubed and frozen for 10 minutes
2 eggs beaten
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
salt and pepper to taste
cooking spray or oil as needed

Instructions

Cube the mozzarella and freeze for 10 minutes.
Take a scoop of risotto, flatten it, place a cheese cube in the center, and form a ball.
Roll each ball in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Repeat egg and breadcrumb step for extra crunch if desired.
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray arancini lightly with oil.
Place arancini in air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

Notes

Use cold risotto to keep the balls from falling apart. Freeze mozzarella cubes to avoid early melting. Cook in small batches for best results.

Keyword Air Fryer, Arancini, Leftovers, Mozzarella

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to create the best Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini at home:

Ingredient	Quantity
Cooked risotto (cooled)	2 cups
Mozzarella cheese (cubed)	1 cup
Eggs	2 (beaten)
Italian breadcrumbs	1 cup
All-purpose flour	½ cup
Salt and pepper	To taste
Cooking spray or oil	As needed

Don’t miss our unique take on cheesy garlic bread bites: Cheesy Garlic Flatbread Bites

Step-by-Step Instructions

Forming mozzarella-stuffed arancini balls for air fryer — Shaping arancini balls with mozzarella at the center

1. Prep Your Filling

Start by cubing the mozzarella into small chunks about ½ inch each. Freeze them for 10 minutes so they don’t melt too fast while cooking.

2. Form the Balls

Take a scoop of risotto, flatten it in your hand, and place a cheese cube in the center. Enclose the cheese and form into a tight ball.

3. Coat the Arancini

Roll each ball in flour, then dip into beaten egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. For extra crispiness, double dip them in egg and breadcrumbs.

4. Air Fry to Golden Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Spray the arancini with cooking oil and place in the basket. Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Pro Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini

Chill Before Frying: Cold risotto makes shaping easier and keeps the balls intact.
Use Panko: For an extra crunchy texture, mix Panko breadcrumbs into the coating.
Don’t Overload the Basket: Cook in batches to ensure even browning.

Looking for inspiration? Try this clever variation using broccoli rice: Air Fryer Cheesy Broccoli Rice Bites

Delicious Variations You Can Try

Want to jazz up your arancini? Here are some creative twists:

Spicy Arancini: Add jalapeños and pepper jack cheese.
Meat-Lovers’ Arancini: Insert cooked ground beef with mozzarella.
Vegetarian Arancini: Add chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.

Learn more about stuffed appetizers by checking out: Pita Garlic Cheese Triangles in Air Fryer

Serving Suggestions

Serve these golden nuggets with:

Marinara sauce
Garlic aioli
Pesto dip
Spicy sriracha mayo

For a complete Italian night, pair with a Caesar salad or roasted vegetables.

Storage and Reheating Tips

To store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
To reheat: Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes or until hot and crispy.

You can even freeze uncooked balls for up to a month and fry them directly from frozen.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Warm Risotto

Warm rice falls apart when forming balls. Cool or chill before shaping.

2. Not Freezing the Mozzarella

If not frozen, the cheese melts too fast and oozes out prematurely.

3. Skipping the Oil Spray

Even a small spritz of oil makes a big difference in crispiness.

4. Overcrowding the Basket

Crowded arancini = soggy arancini. Cook in single layers.

Check out our guide to snack-ready perfection in: Low Calorie Air Fryer Snacks

My Second Arancini Fail (That Taught Me Everything)

After my first success, I got cocky. I rushed the next batch used warm rice, didn’t freeze the cheese, and skipped the breadcrumbs. The result? Gooey rice puddles leaking sad cheese in my air fryer.

Lesson learned: shortcuts don’t work when you’re aiming for crispy perfection. From that disaster, I fine-tuned every step until Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini became my signature dish.

Learn more about air fryer disasters and fixes: Air Fryer Tips and Hacks

Add Arancini to Your Weekly Meal Plan

Day	Meal Idea
Monday	Lunchbox with arancini + salad
Wednesday	Snack plate with arancini + pesto dip
Friday	Family appetizer night
Sunday	Brunch side with eggs and marinara

They reheat perfectly and freeze beautifully.

Conclusion

From my first attempt to my favorite kitchen fail, Air Fryer Mozzarella Stuffed Arancini has become a go-to recipe in my weekly rotation. It’s the perfect mix of comfort food and innovation crispy, cheesy, and surprisingly simple. Whether you’re entertaining or meal prepping, this air fryer recipe delivers every time.