Sounds like you’re craving (or inventing) a rice ball with cheese & pepperoni 😄
Here’s a simple, tasty way to make it—kind of a fusion between onigiri and arancini.
Cheesy Pepperoni Rice Ball (Quick Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked short- or medium-grain rice (slightly warm)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella (or cheese sticks, cubed)
- ¼ cup chopped pepperoni
- Salt to taste
- Optional: black pepper, oregano, chili flakes
- Optional coating: flour, egg, breadcrumbs (for frying)
Method (No-Fry Version)
- Season warm rice lightly with salt and pepper.
- Take a handful of rice, flatten it in your palm.
- Add cheese + pepperoni in the center.
- Wrap rice around the filling and shape into a ball or triangle.
- Eat as-is, or pan-sear lightly until the outside is golden.
Crispy Fried Version
- Chill formed rice balls for 15–20 minutes.
- Roll in flour → egg → breadcrumbs.
- Fry at 175°C / 350°F until golden and cheese melts inside.
Variations
- 🍕 Add marinara for a “pizza rice ball”
- 🌶️ Spicy pepperoni + pepper jack
- 🌿 Add basil or Italian seasoning
- 🧄 Mix garlic butter into the rice for extra flavor
If you want, I can:
- Turn this into an onigiri-style wrapped version
- Make it air-fryer friendly
- Adjust for leftover rice or school lunch ideas
