Rice Balls

Are you a fan of finger foods? Give these baked Cheddar Cheese Rice Balls — served with a delicious, sweet and spicy red currant jelly dipping sauce — a try!

(9 votes, average: 4.11 out of 5)
Cooking time
PREP TIME 20 mins
Cooking time
COOK TIME 15 mins
Servings
SERVES 6-8
Ready in
TOTAL TIME 35 mins

Ingredients

    For spicy dipping sauce
  • 1 jar (10 oz) red currant jelly
  • 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp prepared horseradish
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • For rice balls
  • 1 bag Success® White Rice
  • 2 cups bread crumbs
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped onion
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 cup (8 oz) egg substitute
  • 2 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

  • These crispy and savory Rice Balls are filled with Cheddar cheese and fluffy Success® White Rice. Serve them accompanied by an easy-to-make sweet and spicy dipping sauce and prepare for the ultimate appetizer.

    For spicy dipping sauce:

    Step 1

  • Combine red currant jelly, Dijon, horseradish and Worcestershire in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Transfer sauce to a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until Rice Balls are ready to serve.

    For Rice Balls:

    Step 2

  • Prepare rice according to package directions. In the meantime, preheat oven to 350°F.

    Step 3

  • Combine cooked rice, breadcrumbs, Cheddar cheese, onion, salt and garlic powder in a large bowl. Stir to mix well. Add egg substitute and butter and stir to blend. Allow to cool.

    Step 4

  • Shape rice mixture into 1-inch balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

    Step 5

  • Transfer Rice Balls to a serving platter and garnish with parsley, if using. Serve warm with the dipping sauce.

Oven-Baked Bites

These cheesy morsels are baked to perfection until crisp and golden brown. Lighter than deep-fried rice bites, these are an irresistible appetizer, perfect for your next get-together. Or, serve them as a side dish or make them for yourself on a night in! The best part is, these Rice Balls are just as delicious right out of the oven as they are reheated.

When it comes to their assembly, make sure to mix the ingredients together very well. If you’re worried about the melty cheese, we’ve got you covered! The breadcrumbs and cooked rice help the batter to keep its consistency. Also, it’s key to keep the mixture cool before shaping it into balls, as warm rice may make it harder for the balls to stick together. If you’re a perfectionist, use an ice cream scoop to measure the mixture and make each ball the exact same shape.

Plan like a pro by preparing a large batch of these breaded Rice Balls, cooking half of them and freezing the other half for another occasion. Having frozen food ready can be a lifesaver when your routine gets hectic and busy!

Spicy Sauce

For this recipe, we’ve swapped out average hot sauce for one that you’ll want to make over and over again. In this recipe, the spiciness from the Dijon mustard and horseradish is perfectly balanced by the sweet red currant jelly. The result? A thick sauce with a mild kick of spice compared to a hot chili sauce, but with an exciting flavor.

Plate your baked Rice Balls on a large tray, arranged around a bowl filled with the homemade spicy sauce. We guarantee, your guests will go crazy for these cheesy, bite-sized morsels! Looking for a yummy dinner idea? Try our: best Spanish rice.