Crispy Rice Balls

How can leftover rice and veggies be used to win your kids’ hearts? It might sound like a riddle to you, but it is possible as you will see from this recipe. Cooked rice and colourful vegetables are used to make a mildly spiced dough that is shaped into balls and deep-fried. This is a wonderful way to include veggies into your kids’ diet, and an intelligent alternative to store-bought fries, chips and cheese balls. The Crispy Rice Balls are really so crunchy outside and soft inside that your kids will love it!

Crispy Rice Balls recipe - How to make Crispy Rice Balls

Preparation Time:    Cooking Time:    Total Time:    Makes 20 balls

Ingredients

1 cup cooked rice
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup chopped spinach (palak)
1/2 cup rice flour (chawal ka atta)
1 1/2 tsp ginger-green chilli paste
1 tsp sugar
salt to taste
oil for deep-frying

For Serving
tomato ketchup

Method
    Method
  1. Combine all the ingredients and ¼ cup of water in a deep bowl and mix till the mixture binds well.
  2. Divide the mixture into 20 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball.
  3. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan and deep-fry, a few balls at a time till they turn golden brown in colour from all the sides. Drain on an absorbent paper.
  4. Serve immediately with tomato ketchup.

Crispy Rice Balls Video by Tarla Dalal

Crispy Rice Balls recipe with step by step photos

like crispy rice balls

  1. like crispy rice balls recipe | veg rice balls with leftover rice | rice veg balls starter | rice balls snack for kids |  Often our kitchen is stocked with leftover food from lunch or dinner especially when you have guests for a feast. Don’t worry about leftover rice, roti or bread and transform them into delightful snacks by referring to collection of breakfast recipes made using leftovers. Below are some of my favorite appetizers made using leftover rice :

what is crispy rice balls made off?

  1. what is crispy rice balls made off? rice vegetable balls are made from 1 cup cooked rice, 1/2 cup grated carrot, 1/4 cup finely chopped onions, 1/4 cup chopped spinach (palak), 1/2 cup rice flour (chawal ka atta), 1 1/2 tsp ginger-green chilli paste, 1 tsp sugar, salt to taste and oil for deep-frying.

batter for crispy rice balls

  1. In a bowl put 1 cup cooked rice or leftover rice. This is a great way to use leftover rice.
  2. Add 1/2 cup grated carrot.
  3. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onions.
  4. Add 1/4 cup chopped spinach (palak).
  5. Add 1/2 cup rice flour (chawal ka atta).
  6. Add 1 1/2 tsp ginger-green chilli paste. You can increase or decrease the amount of ginger green chilli paste based on how spicy you want the starter to be.
  7. Add 1 tsp sugar.
  8. Add salt to taste.
  9. Add 1/4 cup of water.
  10. Mix till the mixture well. Also this is a good time to taste the batter to check your spices.
  11. Divide the mixture into 20 equal portions.

cooking crispy rice balls

  1. Heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan.
  2. To check if the oil is hot or not, drop a little mixture and if it comes up easily (after a few seconds) and you see small sizzling bubbles then the oil is ready to fry the crispy rice balls. If the mixture does not come up easily, the oil is not hot & if the mixture comes up quickly, the oil is more hot. So adjust the temperature accordingly to fry the balls evenly.
  3. Slide a few balls in the hot oil carefully. Depending upon the size of kadhai and rice cheese balls, add 3-4 balls at a time and ensure the pan is not crowded or else the crispy rice balls will stick to each other and break. Deep-fry a few balls at a time on a medium flame till they turn golden brown in colour from all the sides. 
  4. With the help of a slotted spoon,  keep flipping the rice balls over and cook till golden brown.    
  5. See the rice balls are well cooked.
  6. Drain the 20 rice balls on an absorbent paper.
  7. Put the rice balls in a serving bowl.
  8. Serve immediately with tomato ketchup.

tips for crispy rice balls

  1. While deep-frying we suggest that you deep fry a crispy rice ball and check if it fries well. If it disintegrates, then add a little more rice flour and mix well.
  2. The rice should be soft and well cooked. Mash it well so the mixture binds well.
  3. crispy rice ball taste great with green chilli thecha.
  4. Remember to taste the batter before deep frying. You can adjust salt and spice at this stage.
Nutrient values per ball
Energy48 cal
Protein0.4 g
Carbohydrates5.4 g
Fiber0.3 g
Fat2.8 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Vitamin A113.2 mcg
Vitamin B10 mg
Vitamin B20 mg
Vitamin B30.2 mg
Vitamin C0.5 mg
Folic Acid1.8 mcg
Calcium3.7 mg
Iron0.1 mg
Magnesium0 mg
Phosphorus0 mg
Sodium1.3 mg
Potassium8.8 mg
Zinc0.1 mg
Outbrain

Reviews

Crispy Rice Balls
 on 19 Jun 21 02:10 PM
5

Tarla Dalal
21 Jun 21 07:52 PM
   Thanks for the feedback !!! Keep reviewing recipes and articles you loved.
Crispy Rice Balls
 on 25 Jul 18 09:42 AM
5

Great.... Delicious snacks for my kids....my kids do not like carrot & onion....but they loved this snacks so much.....
Tarla Dalal
26 Jul 18 09:13 AM
   Hi Reeta, Happy to know you liked the recipe. Do try more and more recipes and let us know how you enjoyed them. Happy Cooking !!
Crispy Rice Balls
 on 20 Oct 10 02:40 PM
4

brilliant idea to use left overs...i make crispy rice balls to utilise the left-over rice. i do not like onions so i replaced it with grated cabbage. because of rice flour these rice balls really turn out crispy. first time when i made these balls they turned very oily may be because of soft batter (i did not measure the amount of water) so be very careful while adding water, add slowly as required and as mentioned.