Pimento Cheese Rice Balls
Crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, these Pimento Cheese Rice Balls are a delicious Southern appetizer perfect for game day, parties, or snacking. Serve them with red pepper jelly for the ultimate sweet and savory combo!
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!
Notes
Nutrition analysis does not include red pepper jelly for dipping.
Nutrition
Calories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.5gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 265mgPotassium: 33mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 191IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 0.5mg
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