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Home » Recipe » Appetizer » Arancini Balls with Cilantro Avocado Dip

Arancini Balls with Cilantro Avocado Dip

Updated: May 27, 2020 / Published: May 21, 2020 By Ilona This website contains affiliate links. Read Privacy Policy.

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Amazingly delicious baked arancini made with cilantro, parmesan and cheddar cheese. Rice balls served with creamy avocado cilantro dip.

Stuck of arancini placed on a plate topped with green onion.

Take a new twist on Italian arancini balls served with homemade avocado dip with lots of cilantro. While traditional rice balls are deep fried, these are baked in the oven, made with 2 types of cheeses and green onion.

Baked Arancini Balls Recipe

Texture: crunchy outer layer and soft inside.
Taste: savory, cheesy.
Simplicity: simple to make, just mix all ingredients together and roll balls.
Meal Type: appetizer, savory party food.

What are Arancini Balls

Arancini rice balls are traditional Sicilian – Italy dish, often dipped in bread crumbs and deep fried in oil. They can be stuffed with meat, cheese or tomato sauce. Some parts of Italy have their own variations.

Arancini with parmesan cheese and parmesan.

How to make Baked Rice Balls

  1. (Detailed recipe below). Prepare ingredients: water, arborio rice, egg, parmesan & cheddar cheese, cilantro, salt and breadcrumbs. For the sauce gather: avocado, oil, water, cilantro, green onion and salt.
  2. Cook arborio rice for 20 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl combine cooked arborio rice, egg, 2 types of cheeses, cilantro and salt. Use your hands to roll a ball. You might have about 12-15 balls, dip in bread crumbs.
  4. Place on parchment paper, bake for 20 minutes.
  5. To make the sauce combine avocado, water, oil, cilantro, green onion and salt in a blender, mix well.

Step by step how to make arancini italian appetizer with avocado dip.

Tips to make Arancini with Avocado Dip

  • You can make the appetizer more flavorful by cooking arborio rice in vegetable or chicken broth. However, it is not necessary, the dish will still be delicious.
  • You can substitute cheese for other type, for instance Mexican cheese or mozzarella cheese.
  • Add more water to cilantro avocado dip if you’ll notice the consistency of the sauce is too thick. Start with adding 1 tablespoon of water, increasing gradually.
  • You can broil appetizer for the last 2 – 3 minutes, just be careful not to burn these.
  • What to serve arancini with? You can serve it with Oven Baked Chicken Thighs or Oven Baked Basa Fillets.

Arancini baked rice recipe topped in creamy avocado cilantro dip.

Baked Rice Balls Faq’s

How do you shape arancini? Using you hands roll balls, if the rice will stick to your hands, wet your hands with water. This will help to roll rice balls easily.

Can I make arancini ahead of time? Yes, you can make arancini ahead of time. First option: unbaked arancini store overnight covered in the refrigerator. Second option: store baked arancini balls in refrigerator, to make them crispy again, place in the oven at 350 F for 5 to 10 minutes.

Can you eat arancini balls cold? Yes you can, they are delicious cold as well.

Other Appetizers

  • Baked Zucchini Fries with Garlic Dipping Sauce
  • Carrot Fries with Greek Yogurt Dip
  • Baked Chicken Meatballs

Soft rice ball cut in half topped with green onion.

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Stuck of arancini placed on a plate topped with green onion.
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Arancini Balls with Cilantro Avocado Dip

Baked arancini rice balls with cilantro avocado dip.
Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time40 mins
Total Time55 mins
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: arancini, rice balls
Servings: 14
Calories: 175kcal
Author: Ilona

Ingredients

Baked Rice Balls

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup arborio rice
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Avocado Cilantro Dip

  • 2 avocados
  • 2 Tbsp. avocado oil
  • 1 cup cilantro bunch
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup green onion chopped
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Baked Rice Balls

  • In a medium pot combine rice and water.
  • Cook on medium heat until rice will be cooked, about 20 minutes.
  • Set aside and cool off completely.
  • Preheat oven to 400 F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl combine rice, cheddar cheese, parmesan, cilantro, salt and egg, mix together. Using your hands make 12-15 balls.
  • Place breadcrumbs on a plate or bowl. Dip each rice ball in breadcrumbs. Place on baking sheet. Optional: Spray each ball with cooking oil.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. You can also broil in the end for 2 - 3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the balls.

Cilantro Avocado Dip

  • In the blender combine avocados, avocado oil, cilantro, water, green onion and salt. Blend all ingredients very well.

Notes

  • You can make the appetizer more flavorful by cooking arborio rice in vegetable or chicken broth. However, it is not necessary, the dish will still be delicious.
  • You can substitute cheese for other type, for instance Mexican cheese or mozzarella cheese.
  • Add more water to cilantro avocado dip if you'll notice the consistency of the sauce is too thick. Start with adding 1 tablespoon of water, increasing gradually.
  • You can broil appetizer for the last 2 - 3 minutes, just be careful not to burn these.
  • What to serve arancini with? You can serve it with Oven Baked Chicken Thighs or Oven Baked Basa Fillets.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 5gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 218mgPotassium: 185mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 281IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 1mg
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Update Notes: The recipe was originally posted in March 2016, it was updated with tips and faq’s in May, 2020.

Italian rice balls with cilantro and cheese.

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Filed Under: Appetizer, Entertain, New Year's Eve, Party Food, Recipe, Savory Tagged With: arancini, avocado cilantro dip, baked rice balls

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fareeha

    March 1, 2016 at 8:39 PM

    Wow, what a beautiful dip. It was such a visual treat. I bet it shud be taste as awesome as it looks. Cant wait to try

    Reply
    • Ilona

      March 1, 2016 at 10:10 PM

      Believe me it tastes how it looks. They are great. Thanks Fareeha!

      Reply
  2. Kaitie Creator of Fuchisa Freezer

    March 1, 2016 at 9:03 PM

    My husband actually said he wanted something more on the appetizer side for dinner one night this weekend, so i think i’m going to make these! They look delicious!

    Reply
    • Ilona

      March 1, 2016 at 10:09 PM

      Thanks Kaitie and Hello from Ontario:)

      Reply
  3. April @ Girl Gone Gourmet

    March 1, 2016 at 9:14 PM

    I’m a big cilantro fan, so these are right up my alley! I love how you made such a traditional recipe your own 🙂

    Reply
    • Ilona

      March 1, 2016 at 10:08 PM

      Thanks April!

      Reply
  4. Michele

    March 1, 2016 at 9:31 PM

    I love arancini… but your pairing with that delicious dip is such a great idea. I can’t wait to try your version!!

    Reply
    • Ilona

      March 1, 2016 at 10:07 PM

      They are actually great. Thanks Michele for visiting my blog!

      Reply
  5. Molly Kumar

    March 1, 2016 at 10:01 PM

    Your recipe comes right when I needed something for the leftover rice. These would be such a Hit at our place n love the avocado-cilantro dip you’re serving it with.

    Reply
    • Ilona

      March 1, 2016 at 10:07 PM

      Perfect for leftover rice:) Thanks Molly!

      Reply
  6. Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction

    March 2, 2016 at 4:35 AM

    Baked rice balls? Yes please! They look sooo good!

    Reply
  7. Mary

    March 2, 2016 at 11:35 AM

    Yum. These look great. I love that they are baked, too, and not fried. I have a package of Arborio rice just waiting to be made into these. (And since my kids don’t like avocado, I can save the dip for me 🙂 )

    Reply
    • Ilona

      March 2, 2016 at 2:05 PM

      That’s right Mary!

      Reply
  8. Valya @ Valya's Taste of Home

    March 2, 2016 at 6:30 PM

    Looks delicious Ilona. Love your pictures.

    Reply
    • Ilona

      March 2, 2016 at 9:55 PM

      Thank you so much Valya!

      Reply
  9. Diana Johnson @ Eating Richly Even When You're Broke

    June 16, 2016 at 2:53 PM

    These look and sound amazing!

    Reply
    • Ilona

      July 13, 2016 at 2:49 PM

      Thank you!

      Reply
  10. Derek @ Dad With A Pan

    June 16, 2016 at 2:58 PM

    I’ll take this to go please, thanks!

    Reply
  11. Kristen Greazel

    June 16, 2016 at 3:05 PM

    I LOVE that these are dipped in avocado!!!!

    Reply
  12. buttercreamblonde1

    June 16, 2016 at 4:47 PM

    Mmm! okay, these look great and I’ve never seen rice balls before! The cilantro lime dip looks divine! I am drooling already.

    Reply
    • Ilona

      July 13, 2016 at 2:49 PM

      They are so good. I hope you’ll have a chance to try them:)

      Reply
  13. Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily

    June 16, 2016 at 5:00 PM

    I haven’t made rice balls in a very long time and they def weren’t as lovely as these! That dip makes them a complete meal IMHO!! 😉

    Reply
  14. Dara Kluth

    July 27, 2016 at 10:24 PM

    I’d love to make these for a party Saturday but was hoping to have them ready ahead of time. Could I make and keep in the fridge unbaked until Saturday? Or can I reheat them?

    Reply
    • Ilona

      August 1, 2016 at 9:29 AM

      I think you can make them ahead and keep it in the fridge for awhile. Just dip each ball in egg and bread crumbs before baking.

      Reply

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