AIR FRYER 'THANKSGIVING-IFIED' ARANCINI
The holidays are a time for indulging in delicious food, and Thanksgiving is no exception. But what to do with all of that leftover turkey? One delicious option is to turn it into “Thanksgiving-ified” Arancini, kid-friendly mashed potato balls filled with cheese and turkey, and rolled in panko.
Arancini are a Sicilian dish of deep-fried rice balls. They are typically made with leftover risotto, but why not repurpose this classic recipe and use leftover mashed potatoes, giving them a new, kid-friendly twist.
These Thanksgiving-ified Arancini are perfect for kids because they are easy to eat and fun to make. You can even let your kids help you form the balls and roll them in the panko breadcrumbs. The best part? You can skip all the oil and mess and air fry them until golden brown!
Thanksgiving-ified Arancini are a delicious and creative way to use up leftover turkey. They are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike. Here’s a beginner-proof recipe:
Air Fryer "Thanksgiving-ified" Arancini
Equipment
- Mini Ice Cream or Cookie Scooper
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover mashed potatoes
- 3/4 - 1 cup all-purpose flour depending on the consistency of your mashed potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 panko bread crumbs
- 2 oz. leftover turkey diced (see notes below for vegetarian option)
- 1/2 cup cubed cheese of choice I used medium cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer at 375 degrees F for 5 minutes.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix together mashed potatoes, flour, salt, parsley and egg.
- Wet your hands with water or spray before rolling each Arancini. Using a mini scooper, scoop out balls, flatten them in your palm.
- Place a teaspoon of turkey and a cube of cheese in the middle and seal the potato mixture around the filling, creating a ball.
- Roll the ball in the panko bread crumbs and place in the air fryer at 375 degrees F for approximately 5-7 minutes or until browned and crispy.
- Let cool slightly and enjoy!
Notes
- If you don't have leftover mashed potatoes, you can make your own. Simply boil potatoes until tender, then mash them with butter, milk, and salt and pepper.
- Vegetarian Option: Leave out the turkey and add more cheese or mix and match different types of cheese. Additionally, you could substitute with your favorite vegetarian protein.
- Storage and reheating instructions: These arancini are best eaten fresh, but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week and reheated in the air fryer on reheat at 350F for 3-5 minutes.
- Make ahead or meal prep: You can create the arancini balls and freeze prior to air frying or air fry for half the time and then freeze for up to a month. Once ready to heat, place in the air fryer at the indicated temperature for 3-5 minutes and serve!
