Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly crispy, golden-brown rice ball that's packed with vibrant spinach and rich Parmesan cheese - all without a trace of gluten! These irresistible Gluten-Free Spinach Rice Balls are about to become your new favorite appetizer, snack, or party crowd-pleaser. Whether you're following a gluten-free diet or simply love delicious, easy-to-make comfort food, this recipe will transform your culinary experience with its incredible combination of textures and flavors.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup gluten-free breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for frying
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Make sure you have 2 cups of cooked rice, 1 cup of fresh spinach that has been chopped, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup of gluten-free breadcrumbs, and 1 egg ready. Also, have salt and pepper on hand for seasoning.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice and chopped spinach. Mix them together thoroughly to ensure the spinach is evenly distributed throughout the rice.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the rice and spinach mixture. This will add a rich flavor and help bind the ingredients together.
- Next, crack the egg into the bowl. The egg will act as a binder for the rice balls, helping them hold their shape during frying.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Be sure to mix everything together well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the mixture is slightly sticky.
- Once your mixture is ready, take a small amount of it (about 2 tablespoons) and roll it into a ball shape with your hands. Repeat this process until all the mixture has been formed into balls.
- After shaping the rice balls, place them on a plate. If desired, you can roll each ball in the gluten-free breadcrumbs to give them a crispy outer layer when fried.
- In a large skillet, heat a generous amount of olive oil over medium heat. You want enough oil to cover the bottom of the skillet to ensure even frying.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully add the rice balls to the skillet. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan; you may need to fry them in batches.
- Fry the rice balls for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to gently turn them to ensure even cooking.
- Once cooked, remove the rice balls from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve the gluten-free spinach rice balls warm, optionally with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce on the side for added flavor.
Tips
- Use day-old rice for better binding: Slightly cooled or refrigerated rice works best as it's less moist and helps the balls hold their shape.
- Ensure thorough mixing: Take your time when combining ingredients to guarantee even distribution of spinach and cheese.
- Keep your hands slightly wet when forming balls: This prevents the mixture from sticking to your hands and helps create smoother, more uniform rice balls.
- Test oil temperature: Drop a small breadcrumb into the oil - if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready for frying.
- Don't overcrowd the pan: Fry in batches to maintain consistent oil temperature and ensure crispy, evenly cooked rice balls.
- Drain excess oil: Using a paper towel-lined plate helps keep the rice balls crisp and less greasy.
- Serve immediately: These rice balls are best enjoyed hot and fresh, right after frying when they're at their crispiest!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 210kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 45mg
