Here's the truth: this is one of my favourite recipes that I have ever shared with you. It's top 3 for sure. Maybe even my very favourite, but since all I can think about right now is that picture of the arancini staring at me in the face, all other recipes that I've ever shared are at a serious disadvantage.
Why don't I have a huge pile of these in front of me right now?!!
These are like little balls of happiness. I often cater the many events that my good friend Jason throws and each and every time he asks me to bring these. It's gotten to the point where I can't show up at a party without them.
They're crispy on the outside and soft inside with a creamy middle of warm melted Boursin cheese. It doesn't get much better than these.
The only downside (I can't lie to you guys) is that they are a big ol' pain in the butt to make. They take ages from start to finish and you will be so thankful when you finally finish rolling them out. Even more thankful when you're popping the first one in your mouth though.
Here's a few tips to make the task of making these puppies a little less daunting:
- Make a double batch of the risotto. Eat half for dinner then save the other half for arancini. Two birds, one stone.
- Make these up to three days ahead of your party and store them in the fridge in a single layer in a large ziplock bag. Just pop them in the oven to reheat them.
- You can make extra of these and store some in your freezer for your next party. They freeze very well.
- Gather a group of friends and family and the whole process will go a whole lot faster.
Also, please ignore the fork in the picture. I've never used a fork when eating these so not sure what got into me when I decided to put one in the picture. Just pop a big tray of these on the table and let everyone pick them up. They're best as finger food, I think.
If you make these Crispy Boursin Arancini, make sure to snap a pic and tag @theendlessmeal on Instagram so I can like and comment on your photos. I love seeing TEM recipes you create.
- 6 cups good-quality (preferably homemade) stock (*see note)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion, finely minced
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 2 cups arborio rice
- 1 ½ cups dry white wine
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1-2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- 1 -150 gram box of Boursin cheese
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1 ½ cups panko
- 2 cups vegetable oil
- Place the stock in a medium sized pot over high heat. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat so that it stays at a low simmer.
- Place the olive oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until it is soft and just starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the arborio rice to the large pot with the onions and butter and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add the wine to the pot and stir until it has been mostly absorbed.
- Add a ladle full of the hot broth to the pot with the rice and stir well. Continue stirring occasionally until it has been mostly absorbed, about 1-2 minutes. Continue adding the broth, 1 ladle at a time waiting until most of the broth has been absorbed by the rice before you add more. Stir the rice a few times between each addition of broth. The risotto is cooked when the rice is soft but not mushy ... think al dente pasta.
- When the risotto is soft remove the pan from the heat and stir through the parmesan cheese. Season to taste generously with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.
- Pour the risotto onto a rimmed baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Place it in your fridge to cool. Once it has cooled completely you can begin making the arancini.
- Remove the cold risotto from the fridge. Gather a small bit in your hand, (you can make them as large or small as you like) and press a small piece of Boursin cheese into the middle. Roll the risotto into a ball. Note: this process is a little less sticky if you have damp hands.
- Once all the risotto has been rolled into balls, set up 3 medium sized bowls. Fill one with the flour, sea salt and pepper and mix it together. Fill another with the eggs whisked with a splash of water and fill the last bowl with panko.
- Place the vegetable oil in a small pot with high sides over medium high heat. Attach an oil thermometer to the side. When the temperature reaches 300 degrees reduce the heat to medium and let it continue to heat until it is 375 degrees.
- Dip each risotto ball first in the flour, next in the egg and finally in the panko. Keep one hand for the flour and panko and the other for the egg. I like to work with 3-4 balls at a time to speed things up. Place the panko coated balls on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Set up another rimmed baking sheet and place a cooling rack on top of it.
- When the oil has reached 375 degrees carefully drop 3 balls into the pot and give it a little stir. Cook the balls for 1 minute, or until they are light brown. Remove the balls from the oil and place them on the cooling rack. Repeat until all the balls are cooked.
- Serve immediately.
- The arancini can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in a covered container in your fridge or frozen for up to 1 month. Re-crisp the arancini in a 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes from the fridge or 20 minutes from the freezer.
When I make the arancini ahead of time I like to store them in a single layer in a large ziplock bag. They are quite soft and will squish if you try to store them in layers.
Kristen Stevens
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Hi, I’m Kristen! 
The BOURSIN Cheese takes these Arancini to the next level, I’m definitely going to make these along with smoked MOZZARELLA Arancini….. 🙂
I love the idea of using smoked mozzarella. I’m definitley going to try that!
I made these for a family get together a few months ago and they were LOVED by all! I am making them again tomorrow for my husband’s promotion to Major (Air Force). This has become one of our favorite appetizers! Thank you so much for a fantastic recipe!!
I’m so happy you and your family like the recipe. It really is one of my favourite appetizers!
I LOOOVE aranchini… damn why did I have to read this post and recipe. YUM. I am so making these next time I have to bring something to a party! Bec x
Do you serve these with sauce?
Hi Barb,
I usually just serve these on their own as they’re creamy/crispy/perfect enough on their own. The sauce in the little dish you see in the picture is ketchup but that’s not normally how I serve it. 🙂
O.K.
This looks like something I would like to make.
BUT the directions start with 2 pots. Then the directions start saying “put it in the pot” without specifying WHICH pot. So steps 3 and 4 are no help to me because it says “add rice to the pot”, “add wine to the pot” and “add broth to the pot”.
WHICH POT?
Am I crazy? Anybody else? Just me? Ok.
No you’re not crazy! That was a bit confusing. Thanks for pointing it out!
I’ve updated the directions so they should be a little more clear now. 🙂
Thanks, you’re the best!
Awww thanks, Libby! You just put a big smile on my face 🙂
Amazing looking! I would like to have a big plate of these right now! Thanks for sharing with us
How delicious are these arancini balls! I love eating arancini but have never made them myself before, thanks for sharing the recipe… definitely inspired to recreate it.
Is that catsup in the picture?
You have an error in the reheating instructions, I assume it should read “20 minutes from the freezer”.
Hi Adriana,
It is catchup in the picture. I usually serve them on their own but once in a while like something to dip them in 🙂
Thank you so much for the heads up about the reheating instructions. I really appreciate it!
Is there anything I could substitute the wine for?
I’ve never tried substituting the wine with anything so I can’t say for sure. You could try it with just broth. Remember that the alcohol in the wine burns off when it cooks so you are only left with the flavour 🙂