Baked rice balls made with lots of cilantro topped with creamy avocado cilantro dip.
Have you ever made rice balls? If not, it’s time to bake them. They are great. I couldn’t stop eating them. I just want to clarify these are not original arancini. This is my version of rice balls with different flavors. While I love Mexican food I thought that cilantro rice balls will taste amazing. I was right!
First, I cooked my arborio rice. Then I combined with parmesan and cheddar cheese. The arborio rice shapes nicely into balls and it doesn’t break which I love. Honestly, I can say I didn’t try with other rice so I am not sure how it will work out. I suggest buying arborio rice so your baked rice balls will be perfect.
The delicious and creamy dip is a must, it perfectly combines with this recipe. So if you love cilantro this is post is for you! Cilantro here and there, basically everywhere. With every bite you taste the flavor of cilantro. It is so easy to make. Just few ingredients like avocado, cilantro, chive and Avocado Oil by Chosen Foods
At first I thought to fry my rice balls but I wanted to omit so much oil. Therefore, I decided to bake them and they were great! They are great for main dish like we had last Friday. But I think they are perfect for any party. Your guests will be surprised how mouthwatering they are.
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Baked Rice Balls with Avocado Cilantro Dip (Arancini)
Ingredients
Baked Rice Balls
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cube of Vegetable Bouillon Cube
- 1 cup uncooked arborio rice
- 2 eggs
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan grated
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- salt/pepper to taste
Avocado Cilantro Dip
- 2 small avocados peeled
- 2 Tbsp. Avocado Oil
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leafs
- 1/4 cup chive chopped
- salt/pepper to taste
Optional
- Oil Spray I used Misto
Instructions
Baked Rice Balls
- In a medium pan combine rice, water and Vegetable Bouillon Cube.
- 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, 1 egg, cheddar cheese, parmesan and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper. Using your hands make 16 small balls.
- In a shallow plate whisk the egg, in a separate plate prepare bread crumbs.
- Dip each rice ball in egg, then bread crumbs. Place on baking sheet. Optional: Spray each ball with oil ( I used Misto)
- Bake for 20 minutes. You can also broil in the end for 2 - 3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the balls.
Avocado Cilantro Dip
- Mash avocados with fork.
- In the blender combine Avocado Oil, fresh cilantro leafs and chive. Blend all ingredients very well. Season with salt and pepper. Add avocados. Blend all ingredients together. If it will be hard to blend add a little water.
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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
Believe me it tastes how it looks. They are great. Thanks Fareeha!
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!
Thanks Kaitie and Hello from Ontario:)
I’m a big cilantro fan, so these are right up my alley! I love how you made such a traditional recipe your own 🙂
Thanks April!
I love arancini… but your pairing with that delicious dip is such a great idea. I can’t wait to try your version!!
They are actually great. Thanks Michele for visiting my blog!
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.
Perfect for leftover rice:) Thanks Molly!
Baked rice balls? Yes please! They look sooo good!
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 🙂 )
That’s right Mary!
Looks delicious Ilona. Love your pictures.
Thank you so much Valya!
These look and sound amazing!
Thank you!
I’ll take this to go please, thanks!
I LOVE that these are dipped in avocado!!!!
Mmm! okay, these look great and I’ve never seen rice balls before! The cilantro lime dip looks divine! I am drooling already.
They are so good. I hope you’ll have a chance to try them:)
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!! 😉
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?
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.