These Keto Arancini, or Cauliflower Rice Balls are total cheesy goodness. And each fritter has just 4g net carbs.
Buongiorno!
Today I'm going to share my recipe for low carb Arancini, or Italian rice balls. And to put us in the proper mood, I dug up my Youtube playlist of Dean Martin's Best Italian Love Songs. So just click here, hit play, and let's get cooking!
Today's recipe is truly a triumph of the will.
That might be overstating it a bit, but it's really quite something. It's one of the many low carb and Keto recipes that use just cauliflower, cheese, almond flour and eggs to create a low carb Italian feast.
"How?", you may say.
Well, normal Arancini is basically breaded risotto that is fried in oil. It's a ricey, cheesy, melty masterpiece. So this low carb version uses a mixture of cauliflower rice, egg yolks and three cheeses for the risotto and a breading of almond flour and parmesan cheese.
And instead of the mess of frying the cauliflower rice balls up, you just need to spritz them with a little olive oil and bake them in the oven.
In almost no time, you will be enjoying one of Italy's most famous dishes, except with just a fraction of the carbs. Normal Arancini fritters have about 25g net carb, but the little beauties we're making today have only 4g. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.
Ok, time for me to say ciao bella.
📋 Recipe
Cauliflower Rice Balls
These Keto Arancini, or Cauliflower Rice Balls are total cheesy goodness. And each fritter has just 4g net carbs.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 7 fritters 1x
- Category: Entree
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Fritters:
3 cups cauliflower rice*
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
I teaspoon Italian Seasoning
2 tablespoons (1 oz) cream cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 egg yolks
Breading:
¼ cup super fine almond flour
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon ground paprika
olive oil cooking spray
Sauce:
Rao's Marinara or equivalent sugar-free tomato sauce
Instructions
1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F and cover a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over Medium High heat. Add cauliflower rice to the pan and let it cook for 2 minutes without stirring it.
3. Add in salt, pepper and Italian Seasoning and cook for another 4-5 minutes , stirring once every minute, until the cauliflower begins to soften and brown.
4. Add cream cheese to a large microwave safe bowl and microwave until melted, 30-60 seconds.
5. Mix cauliflower, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses into the cream cheese and stir well to combine. Allow to cool for a couple minutes until you are able to handle it. Then mix in egg yolks and stir well to combine.
6. Mix together breading almond flour, parmesan and paprika in a shallow bowl or plate.
7. Spray a ¼ cup measuring cup with cooking spray. Pack the cauliflower mixture into the measuring cup and then remove the mixture by tapping the measuring cup against your hand. Roll the mixture into balls with your hands.
8. Roll the balls in breading and place them on the prepared cookie sheet. Spray them liberally with cooking spray.**
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes until nicely browned.
10. Allow to cool on the pan for 10 minutes and then serve with heated marinara sauce.
Notes
*It's easiest to buy riced cauliflower, but you can also make it yourself by either grating a head of cauliflower or processing it in a food processor until it is the consistency of rice.
Nutritional info below is for just the fritters. You'll need to check your marinara sauce labels for that info.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fritter
- Calories: 155
- Fat: 13
- Carbohydrates: 9
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 13
Keywords: Low Carb Arancini, Keto Arancini, Low Carb Rice Fritters, Keto Rice Fritters
If you liked this low carb Italian dish, then you might like my recipes for Baked Ziti, Chicken Alfredo or Ham and Cheese Panini.
Brandi says
I think both me and my guy would love this recipe. I don't even think he'd realize he's eating cauliflower rice with all that cheesy goodness mixed in 😉
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
Ha no. Cheese makes up for a lot in low carb cooking.
Sophia says
Yum, these look delicious! I like to use the frozen riced cauliflower from Trader Joe's. So good!!
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
That's exactly what I use too. It's great.
Roxana Lopez says
Amazing! You're so clever, and your blog is always fun to read. Did you add the link to the spray bottle you use? I don't see it following the recipe card. Have a great day, and keep the recipes coming.
EmilyKrill says
Thanks to much! That is really nice to hear. But yes, the link to the spray bottle is there, but you just need to scroll down a little bit more. It's right above the Pinterest pin.
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
I love the cauliflower and use it in many recipes. However I haven't tried arancini. Looks like a cheesy crunchy snack that I'd love.
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
Soooo cheesy. It's really good.
Zainab says
I made these as a side with dinner last night, and they were so delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
Sure thing!
Alexandra says
Oh I love the idea of this dish!! What a creative and clever twist 🙂 Sounds so delicious!
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
Thanks!
Dannii says
This is such a great way to use up leftover rice. Total comfort food too.
★★★★★
EmilyKrill says
You said it.