Appetizers & Snacks

Cauliflower Arancini


Arancini are a traditional Italian dish consisting of fried rice balls with a savory filling. There are many versions of arancini, but we LOVE this cauliflower version. First, it’s meatless. Second, it’s air fried = healthier. Third, it can be an entire meal or an amazing appetizer for around 200 calories! You can’t come up with a reason NOT to make these.


INGREDIENTS

  • Fresh riced cauliflower (12 oz)

  • Marinara (1/4 cup; divided)

  • Olive oil (1 tsp)

  • Shredded mozzarella (1/2 cup)

  • Egg (1)

  • Bread crumbs (1/2 cup)

  • Fresh shredded parmesan cheese (1 tbsp)

  • Italian seasoning (1 tsp)

  • Garlic powder (1 tsp)

  • Onion powder (1/2 tsp)

  • Black pepper (1/2 tsp)

  • Salt (to taste)

  • Fresh basil (to garnish)

  • Olive oil spray

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add riced cauliflower and two tablespoons of marinara. Stir and combine. Then add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Continue to stir until cauliflower begins to soften.

  2. Remove pan from heat. Add mozzarella cheese to seasoned cauliflower and mix until combined. Cheese should melt into the cauliflower. Allow for your cauliflower mix to cool while you prepare the next step.

  3. Beat one egg in a bowl. Put bread crumbs in another bowl. Spray bottom of air fryer basket with olive oil spray.

  4. Once the cauliflower mixture is cool enough to handle with your hands, use an ice cream scoop get 1/6th of mixture from the pan. Then use your hands to shape it into a ball. Carefully roll the ball in the egg wash. Then cover with bread crumbs. (Since the balls are delicate, you may want to spoon the egg and breadcrumbs into the balls rather than rolling them.) Sit the rice ball in the air fryer basket, and repeat this step for the remaining cauliflower mixture. You should end up with 6-7 arancini in your air fryer basket.

  5. Spray the top of each arancini with olive oil spray. Then air fry at 400 degrees for 8 minutes. If you prefer to use a traditional oven, you can bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

  6. Divide remaining marinara between you two serving plates. Place 3-4 arancini on each plate atop the marinara. Garnish with fresh parmesan and fresh basil. Enjoy!