These lemon and rice cheese bombs are crispy-fried bites of zesty lemon rice with a gooey, melty cheese filled center. Serve with ketchup or mint chutney for a scrumptious appetizer.
About these cheesy appetizer
Lemon and rice cheese bombs are basically arancini with a twist. This is a Sicilian cheese bomb with Indian flavors. You can make this with arborio rice but with added potatoes and garbanzos, and garam masala adds boost of flavor.
Also, this is a egg-free and gluten-free recipe making it suitable for all types food preferences.
These addictive cheese bombs are one of the snacks that our family loves. If you love lemon rice, potatoes, channa, then you will definitely love this one too. You need to cook arborio rice which is then mix it with grated potatoes, mashed garbanzos, coarsely ground peanuts, cilantro, salt and spices along with lemon juice and lemon zest. Stuff a small chunk of mozzarella inside the rice balls for the ultimate the lemony and spicy flavors with a gooey cheese pull satisfaction.
In a nut shell, this is a fusion of Italian arancini with bold Indian flavors!
Ingredients
Have the following ingredients to make these delicious lemon and rice cheese bombs:
Arborio rice - this is the rice for the classic arancini flavor and texture.
Potatoes and grabanzo beans - adds flavor while acting as a binding agent.
Mozzarella chunks - For the characteristice cheesy pull that satiesfies all the cravings. I prefer using the smaller chunks.
Salt - gives flavor
Lemon - characteristic zing hits the right spots brightening the tastebuds with flavor explosion
Spices - turmeric, cumin, garam masala, cayenne give flavor depth adding a touch of Indian flavor.
Peanuts - adds to the nutty flavor
Rice flour and aquafaba - This recipe is eggless and it uses aquafaba and rice flour for the final coating before it is deep fried.
Butter - for sautéing the onion, garlic, and the rice to yield the classic flavors.
Onion and garlic - enhances the flavor
cilantro - this herb boosts aroma and flavor. You may use parsley instead.
Oil - for deep frying
Serving Suggestion
I serve this with tomato sauce or ketchup and cilantro/mint chutney. You can also use marinara sauce as a condiment.
Storage
You can store these lemon and rice cheese bombs in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat them in the oven or airfryer and serve with chutney/sauce. If you are thinking to make for a larger crowd, assemble them and store in the fridge. Deep fry them just before storing. Alternatively, fry them and keep them warm in the oven.
More Lemon Recipes
Although lemon is one sour versatile fruit, you can use it in sweet and savory recipes. I use lemon in cold drinks like Kumquat Lemon Iced Tea or any lemonade like Pea Flower Lemonade or Mango Ginger Lemonade to quench the thirst. Zesty Lemon Vinaigrette adds a bursting flavor to any salad. Lemon can be the star like in this appetizer cheese bomb or in any dessert recipe. Here is a list of tried and tested lemon recipes for you.
Eggless Honey Meyer Lemon Bundt Cake
More Cheesy appetizers
A cheesy appetizer is always a welcoming starter and brings everyone together starting converstaions. You can also try the following cheesy appetizers for your next appetizer idea/cravings.
Cheesy Hatch Chile Baked Tamale Cups
Fried Spinach Artichoke Cheese Balls
Lemon and Rice Cheese Bombs
Ingredients
- ½ cup Arborio rice
- ¾ cup Potatoes cooked and grated
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ cup Garbanzo beans cooked
- ½ cup Onions chopped
- 1 clove Garlic finely chopped
- 3 tbsp Cilantro
- ½ tsp Cumin
- 1½ tbsp Butter
- ⅛ tsp Turmeric
- ½ tsp Garam masala
- 1 tbsp Chili flakes
- ¼ tsp Cayenne
- 3 tbsp Peanuts roasted
- 3 cups Oil for deep frying
- 4 tbsp Rice flour
- ⅓ cup Aquafaba
Instructions
- Pulse the peanuts in a spice grinder to make smooth mixture. Set aside.
- In another bowl, mash the garbanzo benans aside.
- Heat butter in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the cumin, onion and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes till the onions are translucent. Add the arborio rice and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the garam masala and turmeric. Set it aside for 3 minutes.
- Add 1/2 cup water, simmer for 2-3 minutes till the water is dissolved.
- Add another 1/2 cup water and cook for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the final cup of water and let it cook on a medium hit. Switch off the flame.
- Add the grated potatoes, mashed garbanzos, chili flakes, salt, cayenne, lemon juice, lemon zest, peanuts, and cilantro. Mix thoroughly.
- Transfer to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for an hour atleast.
- Scoop quarter cup of the chilled rice mixture. Make a well in center and stuff the cheese ball inside. Cover and roll into a ball. Repeat with the remaining rice. Keep in a parchment lined tray, cover with a wrap and freeze for 1-2 hours.
- Add rice flour to aquafaba and whisk till smooth without any lumps.
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Dip each ball in aquafaba, roll in rice flour, dip again in aquafaba.
- Drop the balls carefully in hot oil. Deep fry for 4-5 minutes, flipping once till golden brown. Drain the excess oil. Transfer t serving bowl.
- Serve with mint chutney or ketchup.
Mayuri Patel says
Wow, sooo cheesy and lemony. Like the desi twist to the arancini balls. By adding chickpeas you've made it even more protein rich. Am sure I would not be able to stop at one or two cheese bombs, would reach out for more !
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, it is hard to stop eating these. Thanks Mayuri!
Priya Srinivasan says
Wow that cheese pull pic is enough for my boys to pester to make this lemon and rice cheese balls! Love the flavors here and my such hearty ingredients to make it filling!
magicalingrdnts says
Yes, Kids love the cheesy and satisfying food for sure. I am glad your boys would ask for these. Thanks Priya.
Kalyani says
what a lovely snack with rice,cheese, potatoes and garbanzo. I see myself making these for a potluck shortly, Radha!
magicalingrdnts says
This will be a super hit one guaranteed. Thanks Kalyani.
Neha (My Culinary Expressions) says
My go-to snack - these lemon and rice cheese bombs! The coating or rice flour and aquafaba is my takeaway from this recipe. You have made them so perfect. Was wondering could I substitute arborio rice with any small grain rice variety.
magicalingrdnts says
You could. Arborio rice gives a sticky nature. You can try with small grain rice varieties, Neha. Thanks for visiting.
Archana says
Wow! Such delicious and yummy arancini balls. Loved the desi twist to these yummy balls. The cheese and lemon will taste amazing.