Italian Oven-Baked Arancini with Mozzarella and Basil
Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these golden oven-baked rice balls are stuffed with melted mozzarella and fresh basil for a comforting Italian snack. This italian-inspired snacks ready in about 55 minutes turns cooked arborio rice, cooled, Parmesan cheese, grated, fresh basil leaves, chopped into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked arborio rice, cooled
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 6 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 12 small cubes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- for coating olive oil spray
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix 3 cups cooled cooked arborio rice with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
- Step 2: Using wet hands, form the rice mixture into 12 balls about the size of a golf ball. Press a cube of 6 oz mozzarella cheese into the center of each ball, sealing it completely.
- Step 3: Set up a breading station with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour in one bowl, 2 beaten large eggs in a second bowl, and 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs in a third.
- Step 4: Roll each rice ball first in flour, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 5: Spray each arancini ball lightly with olive oil spray. Preheat oven to 400°F and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Italian Oven-Baked Arancini with Mozzarella and Basil take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Italian Oven-Baked Arancini with Mozzarella and Basil?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Italian Oven-Baked Arancini with Mozzarella and Basil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Italian Oven-Baked Arancini with Mozzarella and Basil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Italian Oven-Baked Arancini with Mozzarella and Basil?
Italian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
