Jul 09 2026
Restaurants›Treehouse Pub & Eatery›Arancini Recipe

Arancini Recipe

Inspired by Treehouse Pub & Eatery
Time1h 30m
Serves4

Crispy risotto balls with marinara sauce

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Ingredients

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For the Risotto

For the Arancini

For the Marinara Sauce

Method

For the Risotto

  1. 1

    Prepare the Broth

    In a saucepan, heat the chicken or vegetable broth until simmering. Keep it warm over low heat.

  2. 2

    Sauté the Aromatics

    In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent.

  3. 3

    Toast the Rice

    Add the Arborio rice to the skillet and toast it for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until the rice grains are lightly coated and translucent.

  4. 4

    Add the Wine

    Pour in the white wine and stir until it is mostly absorbed by the rice.

  5. 5

    Cook the Risotto

    Begin adding the warm broth one ladle at a time, stirring constantly. Allow the rice to absorb most of the liquid before adding more. Continue this process for about 18-20 minutes until the rice is creamy and al dente.

  6. 6

    Finish the Risotto

    Remove the skillet from heat, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Allow the risotto to cool completely.

For the Arancini

  1. 7

    Form the Balls

    Once the risotto is cooled, take a small amount (about 2 tablespoons) of risotto in your hands, flatten it slightly, and place a cube of mozzarella in the center. Shape the risotto around the cheese to form a ball. Repeat until all risotto is used.

  2. 8

    Coat the Balls

    Set up a breading station with three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Roll each risotto ball in flour, dip it in eggs, then coat it with breadcrumbs.

  3. 9

    Heat the Oil

    In a deep pot or heavy skillet, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).

  4. 10

    Fry the Arancini

    Fry the risotto balls in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

For the Marinara Sauce

  1. 11

    Sauté the Garlic

    In a saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  2. 12

    Make the Sauce

    Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Stir to combine and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. 13

    Serve

    Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat. Serve the crispy arancini with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

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