Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

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Butternut Squash Arancini, a fantastic Italian appetizer for every party or celebration. Filled with creamy butternut squash risotto and mozzarella, and deep fried to perfection, these golden bites make the perfect finger food. So easy to make, and pretty quick too, these risotto balls taste of Fall.

Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (1)

It's what l call the 2 in 1 food, comfort food at its best, risotto, which gets shaped into balls and coated into golden crispy breadcrumbs. You can either enjoy it as a butternut squash risotto or take it to the very next level as deep-fried risotto balls.

Creamy risotto is a dish many people love. It's fairly simple to make, unlike the popular belief that it's such a hassle making it. Yes and no, l would say. Indeed, the risotto is meant to have a certain creamy texture, which can be achieved by using the right cooking technique, but it's nothing even a beginner can't do.

It certainly uses more liquid than you usually use when boiling plain rice, for example. It's a rather 1 part rice, 4 parts liquid, and arborio rice is the best for making risotto.

Jump to:
  • What are arancini or risotto balls?
  • Ingredients needed to make butternut squash arancini
  • Step-by-step photos and instructions
  • Can the rice balls be baked?
  • Can I use make the arancini without butternut squash
  • What to serve with arancini
  • Butternut Squash Arancini

What are arancini or risotto balls?

Risotto balls, or the popular Italian arancini are rice balls that are deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. The risotto is first cooked, then let to cool down before it's shaped into balls, coated in flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs, then fried.

Ingredients needed to make butternut squash arancini

Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (2)
  • leftover roasted butternut squash risotto - you can check my recipes for roasted butternut squash halves and roasted butternut squash risotto as the 3 recipes are interlinked
  • mozzarella cheese - to stuff the risotto balls
  • flour - simple plain flour for coating the balls
  • breadcrumbs - I used golden breadcrumbs, but panko breadcrumbs will also work
  • eggs - beaten eggs will help stick the flour and breadcrumbs to the rice balls
  • salt and pepper
  • oil for frying - vegetable oil is the best

Step-by-step photos and instructions

  • take a tablespoon of risotto in your hands, then shape into a patty
  • place a cube of mozzarella cheese and place it in the middle, then close the patty to be shaped into a ball

The rice will be pretty sticky, so have a bowl of water around to wet your hands before shaping another ball, it really does the trick.

  • dip the rice ball into flour, beaten egg, then breadcrumbs
  • repeat with the rest of the risotto
Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (3)
  • heat up the oil in a deep pan, and deep fry the arancini in batches until they are golden and the mozzarella is gooey
  • remove the balls from the pan and transfer them to a plate lined with kitchen towel to absorb the excess oil
  • serve hot

You get some delicious arancini that are super nice and crispy, and sinfully hot.

Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (4)

Can the rice balls be baked?

Yes, absolutely. Once they are coated in breadcrumbs, grease a baking tray, arrange the risotto balls, then either drizzle some oil over, or spray some cooking oil over.

Bake at 200 degrees Celsius (390 Fahrenheit) for about 20 minutes or until golden. Do make sure you shake the tray now and again to ensure even baking.

Can I use make the arancini without butternut squash

Absolutely! Just check my post about making butternut squash risotto, and omit the step at the end when the butternut squash is added. In this way you have a plain risotto.

I do recommend using mozzarella though, as it makes the arancini so much nicer! Look at that gorgeous rice ball!

What to serve with arancini

I would definitely add these risotto balls to my Thanksgiving dinner menu as they are absolutely gorgeous, and perfect for this occasion.

And while they will be served as an appetizer, they can also be served with a nice green salad on the side for a touch of freshness.

I like eating them just like that, but you can also add them to a nice tomato sauce to turn this dish into a main meal.

Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (5)

If you’ve tried my BUTTERNUT SQUASH ARANCINI or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK, andPINTERESTto see more delicious food and what I’m getting up to.

Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (6)

Butternut Squash Arancini

Butternut Squash Arancini, a fantastic Italian appetizer for every party or celebration. Filled with creamy butternut squash risotto and mozzarella, and deep fried to perfection, these golden bites make the perfect finger food. So easy to make, and pretty quick too, these risotto balls taste of Fall.

4.29 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 11 balls

Calories: 219kcal

Author: Daniela Apostol

Ingredients

  • 2 cups leftover butternut squash risotto (click on the link "leftover butternut squash risotto" for the recipe on how to make roasted butternut squash risotto)
  • 1 mozzarella ball, cut into cubes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • a pinch of black pepper
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • enough vegetable oil for deep frying the arancini

Metric - US Customary

Instructions

  • Have 3 bowls ready to prepare the arancini: one with flour, one with beaten eggs seasoned with salt and pepper, and one with breadcrumbs.

  • Use your hands to shape the risotto into balls, coat them with the egg mixture, then coat in breadcrumbs.

  • Refrigerate the balls for at least 30 minutes, then deep-fry.

  • Dip the ball into flour, shaking off the excess flour, then dip into egg to coat well, then breadcrumbs.

  • Repeat with the rest of the rice.

  • Heat up the oil into a deep pan, and add the arancini in batches - fry until golden.

  • Remove the balls from the pan and transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb the excess oil.

  • Serve warm or cold.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg

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Butternut Squash Arancini Fall & Thanksgiving Recipes - My Gorgeous Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What do Italians eat with arancini? ›

Arancini are meant to be enjoyed as a finger food, on their own or with Homemade Marinara on the side to bring out the herby flavors. They also go great with a variety of appetizers, from roasted vegetables to bite-sized meatballs.

What to serve with arancini balls for dinner? ›

These deep fried risotto balls pair well with pretty much any Italian-based dish and depending on what's inside them you can serve with vegetables, salads, relish or pasta. Stick with classic Italian flavours and you can't go wrong.

How do you keep arancini together? ›

Once all the arancini are formed, freeze for 20 minutes.

This will help them remain perfectly round as they fry.

When should I eat arancini? ›

In the cities of Palermo, Siracusa, and Trapani in Sicily, arancini are a traditional food for the feast of Saint Lucy (Italian: Santa Lucia) on 13 December, when bread and pasta are not eaten. This commemorates the arrival of a grain supply ship on Saint Lucy's day in 1646, relieving a severe famine.

What does arancini mean in Italian? ›

(in Italian cookery) a dish consisting of balls of rice stuffed with a savoury filling, coated in breadcrumbs and fried. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. Word origin. Italian, literally: little oranges.

Why do my arancini fall apart when frying? ›

If it is not properly chilled, it will fall apart in the hot oil instead of forming crisp, glistening, orbs filled with molten cheese. Serve these arancini with warmed tomato sauce or even pesto, and crown them with a flurry of gremolata or plain lemon zest for brightness.

What is the difference between arancini and Sicilian rice balls? ›

There are two main recipes of the fried rice balls: the Roman suppli, and the Sicilian arancino. The main difference between the fried rice balls is that suppli are made with arborio rice and mozzarella, while arancini are made with arborio rice, mozzarella, and the addition of beef and peas.

What supermarket sells arancini? ›

Specially Selected Tomato & Mozzarella Arancini 140g | ALDI.

What is the difference between arancini and risotto balls? ›

Risotto balls go by many names in Italy, from arancini in Sicily to supplì al telefono in Rome. Arancini means little oranges, a nod to their rotund and golden appearance, while supplì al telefono refers to the long telephone cord-like strings of molten mozzarella that emerge when you bite into the balls.

How to stop arancini falling apart? ›

How do I keep my arancini from falling apart? If your arancini consistently falls apart, you're likely skipping one crucial step: chilling your risotto for long enough. After cooking your risotto, make sure you're chilling in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but up to 6.

Are arancini served hot or cold? ›

Can you Eat Rice Balls Cold? Arancini are best served warm when they are creamy and cheesy in the center. They are just as good freshly cooked as they are reheated, especially when you reheat in the oven to re-crisp the exterior.

Do you eat arancini with your hands? ›

Very often arancini are just wrapped in a serviette and handed over to the customer to eat standing up at the counter. They are unsurpassable finger food and the perfect accompaniment for a drink.

Should rice balls be eaten hot or cold? ›

While onigiri are classically served at room temperature, you can also serve them chilled, or slightly warmed in a microwave or toaster oven.

Can I eat arancini cold? ›

Arancini can keep in the fridge for up to 5 days if covered. They're best reheated in a hot (400 F) oven for about 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the exterior to get crispy again and the interior to get melty. However, you can eat them cold, too, if desired.

What's the difference between croquettes and arancini? ›

To sum it up, croquetas are made of bechamel base whereas arancinis are made of rice. So, there is a stark difference between the two dishes.

What is served with risotto in Italy? ›

In Italy, when it is not used as a complete meal, risotto is considered a main dish, and is usually served with small portions of meat or light vegetable side dishes. For example, it is very common to pair risotto with a couple of lemon escalopes, or with bresaola and arugula.

What to eat rice balls with? ›

Drain on paper towels, then serve warm as is or with a bit of marinara sauce. Another nice touch you can use with these is to put a small cube of mozzarella cheese in the middle of each rice ball!

What do Italians eat with rice? ›

Rice
  • Frittelle di riso – rice fritters. ...
  • Risi e bisi – rice and peas. ...
  • Arancino 2.0 – 'Yarn balls' stuffed with rice, buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil. ...
  • Riso alla pitocca – Lombard chicken and rice. ...
  • Tiella – baked tomatoes, potatoes, rice and mussels. ...
  • Coffee and Parmesan cream risotto.

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