Irresistible Beer & Bacon Arancini: The Ultimate Fried Rice Balls with Creamy Cheese Sauce

Sometimes, the best recipes are born out of love, a little bit of playful mischief, and an undeniable craving for the most satisfying comfort food imaginable. This particular creation, our Beer & Bacon Arancini, falls squarely into that category. While I jokingly call it a “made-for-hubby” recipe, it’s truly designed for anyone who appreciates the glorious trifecta of beer, bacon, and cheese. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t? These golden-brown, crispy fried rice balls are a celebration of flavor and texture, destined to become a new favorite in your culinary repertoire.

The Delicious Strategy: A Tale of TV Remotes and Irresistible Bribes

Let’s be candid: I’ve had a firm grip on the TV remote for months. With my favorite shows like MasterChef and True Blood in full swing, my reign wasn’t ending anytime soon. But a happy household requires balance, and sometimes, that balance comes in the form of an epic meal. My cunning plan? To distract my dear husband with an array of incredible flavors, lulling him into a blissful, food-induced “satisfied-belly coma.” Yes, it’s a real thing, and it’s remarkably effective. The theory is simple: keep the beer, bacon, and cheese flowing, and he’ll happily watch whatever I choose, thoroughly engrossed in the deliciousness.

And what better way to execute this perfect plan than with a batch of Beer & Bacon Arancini? While I might not be the biggest beer drinker myself, I am absolutely devoted to anything fried and infused with bacon. These arancini, Italian fried rice balls, are the perfect vehicle for such indulgence. They boast a wonderfully crunchy exterior, giving way to a warm, gooey, and incredibly flavorful interior. But the real magic happens when you generously smother them in their accompanying rich, creamy cheese sauce. Ugh… it’s simply divine. It truly is the best bribe ever.

What Are Arancini? A Delightful Introduction to Fried Rice Balls

For those unfamiliar, arancini are traditional Sicilian fried rice balls, typically made with risotto, breaded, and deep-fried. The name “arancini” means “little oranges” in Italian, referring to their golden color and round shape. While classic versions often feature fillings like ragù, mozzarella, and peas, this recipe takes a delicious detour into a more Americanized comfort food realm by incorporating the beloved flavors of beer and bacon. The concept remains the same: a perfectly cooked, seasoned rice mixture, formed into balls, coated for crunch, and fried until golden and irresistible.

The Flavor Fusion: Beer, Bacon, and Sharp Cheddar

This recipe is a testament to how simple yet powerful ingredients can come together to create something extraordinary. Each component plays a vital role:

• The Beer: Far from just a cooking liquid, beer, especially one with a good malt profile like Fat Tire (as suggested in the recipe), imparts a subtle yet complex depth to the rice. It adds an earthy, slightly sweet, and savory note that elevates the arancini beyond a plain rice base. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind a rich, nuanced flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.
• The Bacon: Ah, bacon! Its crispy texture and smoky, salty goodness are universally adored. Chopped into small bits and mixed into the rice, it provides bursts of flavor and a delightful textural contrast. There’s nothing quite like biting into a savory rice ball and discovering those irresistible pieces of crispy bacon.
• The Cheese: We’re not just stopping at bacon and beer. The sharp white cheddar cheese, both inside the arancini and in the luscious dipping sauce, brings everything together. Inside, it melts into a gooey surprise, creating that satisfying pull. The dipping sauce, a rich, velvety concoction seasoned with smoked paprika, adds another layer of cheesy indulgence, making every bite an absolute dream.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy and Flavorful Arancini

Achieving arancini perfection is simpler than you might think, especially with a few key tips:

• Chill Your Rice: This is arguably the most crucial step. Cooling the cooked rice for at least two hours (or even overnight) makes it much firmer and easier to handle. It prevents the balls from falling apart during forming and frying, ensuring a beautiful, crispy exterior. Don’t skip this step!
• Pack Them Tight: When forming the rice balls, make sure to pack them very tightly. This density helps them hold their shape and contributes to that satisfyingly dense yet tender interior.
• Dredging Station Setup: Organize your breading station efficiently: rice mixture, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs. This makes the process smooth and keeps your kitchen tidier. Using a mix of panko and regular breadcrumbs gives you the best of both worlds – extra crunch from the panko and a finer coating from the plain breadcrumbs.
• Oil Temperature is Key: Maintaining the correct oil temperature (around 375°F or until a test grain of rice sizzles immediately) is vital. If the oil is too cold, the arancini will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If it’s too hot, they’ll brown too quickly on the outside, leaving the inside uncooked or less heated through.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry in small batches (3-4 at a time) to avoid dropping the oil temperature too drastically. This ensures even cooking and consistent crispiness.
• The Cheese Sauce: While the arancini are delicious on their own, the creamy cheese dipping sauce is non-negotiable. It adds a luxurious texture and an extra layer of savory goodness that truly completes the dish. The touch of smoked paprika adds a wonderful depth that complements the bacon beautifully.

The Recipe: Beer & Bacon Arancini (Fried Rice Balls)

Ready to create these incredibly delicious Beer & Bacon Arancini? Below you’ll find the full, detailed recipe, complete with ingredients and step-by-step instructions for both the crispy fried rice balls and the decadent cheese dipping sauce. Get ready to impress your taste buds, your family, or perhaps just strategically win control of the TV remote with this gourmet appetizer!

Beer & Bacon Arancini (Fried Rice Balls)

Fried rice balls packed with beer, bacon and cheese served with a creamy cheese dipping sauce.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Additional Time: 2 hours hrs

Total Time: 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

No ratings yet

Print

Pin

cook modeprevent your screen from going dark

ingredients

• 5 strips thick cut bacon
• 1 cup beer I used Fat Tire
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white long-grain rice
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 3 eggs
• 8 oz sharp white cheddar cheese grated
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 1/2 cups milk

instructions

• Use at least a 2-quart saucepan to cook your rice. Bring water and beer to a boil. When the water and beer begins to boil, stir in rice and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat, cover, and cook for approximately 18 to 25 minutes. Once rice is cooked and no longer crunchy, remove rice from pan to a bowl. Set bowl of rice in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow the rice to cool.
• Cook bacon in a hot pan over medium-high heat until very crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, chop bacon slices (I made them about the size of bacon bits) and set aside.
• Once the rice has been cooled, add chopped bacon and 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Mix gently until everything is incorporated.
• Prepare your dredging stations by setting out 2 bowls. In one bowl, add eggs and lightly beat them. In the second bowl, add the panko and plain breadcrumbs and stir to combine.
• Heat up enough oil for frying in a heavy bottom pan (my oil was about 2″ deep). Heat your oil to 375 degrees or, if you don’t have a thermometer, once the oil begins to shimmer, drop in a test couple grains of cooled rice – if they start to sizzle, the oil is ready!
• Remove rice mixture from refrigerator. Form balls of rice in your hands, packing them tightly. My arancini were about 1 inch thick. Dip each ball of rice into the breadcrumbs, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs again and add to the oil. Fry until golden brown, remove from oil and set on paper towels to drain. Repeat in batches of 3-4, making sure you do not overcrowd the pan. Serve warm with cheese dipping sauce.
• To make the sauce, melt butter; remove from heat. Stir in flour, 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Gradually add milk, stirring until well mixed. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. Cook for 5 minutes longer; add the remaining cheddar cheese. Stir until smooth and well blended.
• Serve warm and dunk those arancini right in!

notes

Note: Make sure you carve out some time to make the rice ahead of time. You will want to chill the rice for at 2 hours before you start frying the arancini.

Category: Appetizer

Indulge in the Ultimate Comfort Food Experience

These Beer & Bacon Arancini are more than just a snack; they’re an experience. They embody everything we love about comfort food: rich flavors, satisfying textures, and a heartwarming sense of indulgence. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion, a casual game night, or simply to win over a loved one (perhaps for control of the remote!), these fried rice balls are guaranteed to be a hit. The combination of savory beer-infused rice, crispy bacon, and gooey sharp cheddar, all enveloped in a golden crust and paired with a creamy, smoky cheese sauce, creates an unforgettable appetizer. So go ahead, carve out some time, gather your ingredients, and prepare to create something truly spectacular. Your taste buds—and perhaps your TV viewing habits—will thank you!