Mini rice balls with ham and smoked cheese
- Energy Kcal 439
- Carbohydrates g 43.1
- of which sugars g 1.4
- Protein g 15.9
- Fats g 22.5
- of which saturated fat g 8.28
- Fiber g 1.4
- Cholesterol mg 43
- Sodium mg 726
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Prep time: 20 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Makes: 10 pieces
- Cost: Low
PRESENTATION
If you're on the hunt for a bit of Italian flair at your next gathering, I gotta say, these mini supplì from Lazio are where it's at. You really can't go wrong with them. They are these little Italian rice balls, stuffed with ham and scamorza—really really tasty, perfect for any occasion. Seriously good stuff. In Rome, these mini supplì totally rock aperitivo time, and you know, it is easy to see why. The crispy breadcrumb coating? Super satisfying crunch. Then you hit that tender, gooey center. Honestly, just really delicious.
Here's the deal: using leftover risotto "alla parmigiana" is such a clever trick. It lines up with that cool Italian thing of minimizing waste while crafting something delicious. And look, while the classic has mozzarella, throwing in scamorza and ham gives it a smoky twist. It melts beautifully—makes every bite a melty, savory treat wrapped in a golden shell.
Plus, regional variations add something unique to these Italian appetizers. In Lazio, folks love to experiment. Maybe different cheeses or some herbs and veggies. The "al telefono" style, where the cheese stretches like a phone cord—super playful at parties. Ham and cheese rice balls? Total room for creativity. Whether you go for local prosciutto or smoked scamorza, it's so so good for added depth. And listen, serving these as part of an Italian finger food spread will have everyone reaching for more. And they're just perfect for sharing, no question. The warm, gooey centers balance beautifully with the crunchy exterior. Whether with a cold drink or on a snack board, these homemade supplì are bound to be a hit. When you're ready to switch up your party appetizers, this twist on traditional Italian snacks is always a crowd-pleaser. Not only do they offer a taste of Italy, but they bring fun and flavor to any gathering. For sure, they'll disappear fast and leave everyone satisfied. Pretty much.
So here's the thing: if you want to make your guests happy and super impressed, these mini supplì are the way to go. They'll totally love it.
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INGREDIENTS
- Ingredients for 10 pieces
- Risotto with parmigiana cheese 17.6 oz (500 g)
- Scamorza (provola) cheese 7.1 oz (200 g)
- Prosciutto cotto 7 oz (200 g)
- For the batter and frying
- Type 00 flour ¾ cup (100 g)
- Breadcrumbs 2 cups (250 g)
- Water 0.67 cup (150 g) - (cold)
- Fine salt to taste
- Peanut seed oil to taste
How to prepare Mini rice balls with ham and smoked cheese
To prepare the mini rice balls with ham and scamorza cheese, you will need 500 grams (about 1.1 lbs) of risotto alla parmigiana, cooled. If you don't have it, you can prepare it by following the recipe on our website. Cut the cooked ham 2 and the scamorza cheese 3 into small cubes.
Then prepare the batter: in a bowl, mix the sifted flour, a pinch of salt, and the cold water added gradually 4. Stir continuously to avoid lumps 5. Heat a small pot with plenty of oil, so the mini rice balls will be completely submerged during frying. Now that you have everything, proceed with forming the balls: take about 50 grams (about 1.75 oz) of risotto alla parmigiana and shape it into a sphere 6.
Then make a small indentation in the middle 7 and add cubes of ham and scamorza cheese 8. Then close it well by rolling in the palm of your hands 9.
You will get 10 small spheres with these measurements. Place them on a sheet of parchment paper as you go 10, then proceed by dipping each one first in the batter 11 and then in the breadcrumbs 12.
The mini rice balls are ready 13 for cooking: immerse a couple of pieces at a time in the hot oil at 340°F (measured with a kitchen thermometer) 14. When they are ready, drain them on a paper towel and here are your mini rice balls with ham and scamorza cheese 15!