Cauliflower & Mushroom Arancini Recipe

WRITTEN BY

SERVES:

12 ARANCINI

Prep Time:

30 MINUTES

Cook Time:

15 MINUTES

Crispy, cheesy, air-fried arancini - a clever way to use up leftover rice and whatever veg you’ve got to hand. No mushrooms or cauliflower? Swap in broccoli, courgette, or grated carrot. No air fryer? Bake at 200°C for 20 minutes or pan-fry until golden. Big on texture, easy to make, and endlessly customisable.

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INGREDIENTS:

450g cauliflower
200g mushrooms
70g parmesan cheese, grated
1 small brown onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup cooked rice
2 eggs, beaten
40g mozzarella, cut into 12 cubes
Salt and pepper
Oil for cooking

CRUMBLING STATION:

2 eggs, beaten
2 cups breadcrumbs (store-bought or blitzed old bread)
2/3 cup plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Cook the vegetables: Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Chop the mushrooms and sauté in a large frying pan with a little oil until golden. Set aside.‍
Prep the cauliflower: Chop the cauliflower into chunks and blitz in a blender until it resembles rice. In the same pan, cook the onion and garlic until soft. Add the cauliflower and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring often. Transfer to a large bowl.
‍Make the mixture: Add the cooked mushrooms, cauliflower mixture, parmesan, rice, and 2 beaten eggs to the bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix until fully combined.‍
Shape the arancini: With damp hands, take a spoonful of mixture, flatten in your palm, add a cube of mozzarella, and shape into a ball. Repeat to make 12. Place on a tray and refrigerate for 15 minutes.‍
Crumb the arancini: Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, one with breadcrumbs. Coat each ball in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs - pressing gently to coat.‍
Cook in the air fryer: Place arancini in the air fryer, spaced apart. Cook at 180°C for 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp. (Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer.)‍
To serve: Best devoured hot, dunked in garlic mayo - or better yet, truffle mayo. Your snack game just levelled up.