If you love pimento cheese, you're going to love this Southern favorite with a crispy, golden-brown crust and a gooey, cheesy center. These pimento cheese rice balls are air-fried, not deep-fried, making them a great way to enjoy a crunchy snack without the extra oil. The best part? They're served with red pepper jelly, which adds just the right balance of sweet and tangy to complement the cheese mixture inside.
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Whether you're making these for game day, a holiday gathering, or just because you love pimento cheese arancini, this recipe is a must-try. TikTok-worthy and easy to make, these crispy bites are a perfect appetizer that comes together quickly with lots of options for customization.
If you love Southern-inspired appetizers like these Pimento Cheese Rice Balls, you'll also want to try my Pimento Cheese Jalapeño Poppers, Southern Fried Pickle Dip, and Buffalo Chicken Bombs for more crispy, cheesy bites perfect for get togethers!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Crispy Outside, Creamy Inside - The cheese spread stays melty while the outside gets golden brown and crunchy.
- A Fun Twist on a Southern Classic - Pimento cheese is already a Southern favorite but wrapping it in rice and crisping it up takes it to another level.
- Great for Any Occasion - Whether it's game day, tailgating, or a fun appetizer for a party, these pimento cheese balls will always be a hit.
- Make-Ahead Friendly - Prep them ahead and toss them in the air fryer when you're ready to serve.
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a perfect appetizer with Southern flair.
- Pimento Cheese: Store-bought or homemade pimento cheese works! If making your own, combine cheeses like sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and pimento peppers in a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer at medium speed.
- Cooked White Rice: Day-old rice holds together best as freshly cooked rice can be too soft.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the cheese mixture and creates a crispy texture.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory umami boost and helps form the rice mounds.
- Eggs: Helps everything stick together.
- Red Pepper Jelly: A perfect appetizer dip with a balance of sweet and savory.
- Cooking Spray: Ensures a golden-brown crust when air frying.
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make Pimento Cheese Rice Balls
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Step 1: Scoop the pimento cheese into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 20 minutes until firm.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the cooked rice, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and eggs until the mixture is slightly sticky and holds together.
Step 3: Flatten a portion of the rice mixture into a patty in your hand. Place a pimento cheese ball in the center, then top with another rice patty. Press and shape into a sealed pimento cheese rice ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the pimento cheese balls with cooking spray and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Step 5: Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the balls are golden brown and crispy.
Step 6: Let them cool for a few minutes before serving with red pepper jelly for dipping. Garnish with chopped chives and enjoy!
Substitutions & Variations
- For extra heat, use a spicy pimento cheese or stir in diced red peppers or onion powder.
- Swap the breadcrumbs with crushed pretzel stick pieces or pecan pieces for a unique crunch.
- If you don't have red pepper jelly, try dipping them in honey mustard, remoulade, or a smoky chipotle aioli.
- Make them bite-sized by forming mini rice mounds for an easy game day or tailgate snack.
- Try a different cheese flavor by replacing Parmesan with smoked Gouda or a blend of pre-shredded cheeses.
- Use different rice varieties like short-grain rice for extra stickiness, brown rice for a whole-grain option, or Arborio rice for a creamier texture.
Storage
- Make-Ahead: Shape and coat the pimento cheese balls, then freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Air fry straight from frozen.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Air fry at 375°F for 3-5 minutes until crispy again.
Tips for the Best Pimento Cheese Balls
- Freezing the pimento cheese balls first is crucial so they hold their shape better.
- Use day-old rice because fresh rice is too soft and sticky.
- Spray your hands with cooking spray to keep the rice mixture from sticking while shaping.
- Air fry in a single layer so they crisp up evenly.
FAQ
Using day-old rice makes a huge difference, as it's drier and holds together better. Eggs and breadcrumbs also help bind the mixture, and pressing the balls together firmly ensures they don't fall apart.
Palmetto Cheese is a brand of pimento cheese that's creamier and slightly spicier than most homemade versions. Traditional pimento cheese can vary by recipe but typically includes sharp cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and mayonnaise.
Pimento cheese is more than just a spread in the South-it's a tradition, a memory, and a staple at every gathering, from game day parties to church potlucks. Its creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor makes it incredibly versatile, working just as well on a cracker as it does inside a crispy pimento cheese rice ball.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pimento Cheese Rice Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup pimento cheese store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups cooked white rice preferably day-old
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- Cooking spray
- Red pepper jelly for dipping
- Chopped fresh chives for garnish
Instructions
- Scoop the pimento cheese into small balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for 20 minutes until firm.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked rice, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and eggs until the mixture is slightly sticky and holds together.
- Flatten a portion of the rice mixture into a patty in your hand. Place a pimento cheese ball in the center, then top with another rice patty. Press and shape into a sealed pimento cheese rice ball. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the pimento cheese balls with cooking spray and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the balls are golden brown and crispy.
- Let them cool for a few minutes before serving with red pepper jelly for dipping. Garnish with chopped chives and enjoy!
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