Turn your leftover Christmas ham into a show-stopping New Year’s Eve snack with these crispy Ham & Cheese Arancini! Air-fried to perfection, these golden bites are packed with flavour and so easy to make. Perfect for parties or family gatherings, they’ll disappear in minutes. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauce and watch them become the star of your festive spread!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked risotto (use a pre-made version from Ritchies IGA or make your own)
- 1 cup diced leftover Christmas ham
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or parmesan (from Wellington Village Deli)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley (fresh from Ritchies IGA)
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko works well)
- Olive oil spray
- Optional: Serve with a dipping sauce, like aioli or marinara
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the risotto, ham, cheese, and parsley until well combined.
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized portions and place them on a tray. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Set up a crumbing station with three bowls: flour, whisked eggs, and breadcrumbs.
- Coat each ball in flour, then dip into the egg, and finally roll in breadcrumbs.
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Lightly spray the arancini balls with olive oil.
- Place the balls in the air fryer basket in a single layer (don’t overcrowd). Air fry for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauce.
Tip: These arancini reheat beautifully, so you can prep them earlier in the day and air fry just before serving!