Air Fryer Millet Arancini, How to make Millet Arancini

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Millet arancini are crispy, cheesy fusion bites made with kodo millet, kasuri methi, and cheddar cheese. This air-fried version is a healthy, flavorful twist on the classic Italian rice balls — perfect for snacking, parties, or festive appetizers!

My Take on Arancini… With a Little Indian Soul

I’ve always loved arancini — those golden Italian rice balls with a crisp shell and a soft, cheesy heart. But this time, I wanted to do it my way. I swapped arborio rice with kodo millet, added a warm touch of kasuri methi, and tucked in a cube of melty cheddar cheese at the center.

And instead of deep-frying them, I air-fried the arancini with a light brush of olive oil. The result? They turned out perfectly golden, irresistibly crisp, and full of flavor — all without the extra oil.

This is fusion comfort food at its finest — Indian flavors, Italian technique, and a healthy, happy finish!

Cheddar-stuffed millet balls with golden cornflake crust

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What Is Traditional Arancini?

Arancini originated in Sicily, traditionally made with leftover risotto, shaped into balls or cones, filled with ragù or cheese, coated in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried. The name arancini means “little oranges,” a nod to their golden look. While the classic version uses arborio rice for its starchy stickiness, this millet version proves that healthy alternatives can still be deliciously indulgent!

Ingredients & Their Roles

Ingredient	Role
Kodo millet	The hero of the dish! It replaces arborio rice to make the arancini wholesome and gluten-free, while giving a nutty, soft texture.
Butter and Olive oil	Butter gives richness. Olive oil keeps it light and perfect for air-frying, while butter brings a smooth, comforting aroma.
Onion & garlic	These form the flavor base, adding sweetness and warmth to the millet mixture.
Red chili flakes & red chili powder	For heat and spice — these brighten up the otherwise mild millet.
Garam masala	Adds subtle Indian warmth and complexity.
Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)	The secret desi touch! It brings a lovely earthy aroma that pairs surprisingly well with cheddar.
Salt	Essential to balance all the flavors.
Parmesan (optional)	For umami and extra cheesy richness in the base.
Cheddar cheese (for stuffing)	Melts beautifully inside, giving a soft, flavorful surprise in every bite.
All purpose flour + water slurry	Helps the outer coating stick and form a crisp layer in the air fryer.
Crushed cornflakes	Provides the golden, crunchy crust — a healthier and more textured alternative to breadcrumbs.
Olive oil (for brushing)	Ensures even browning in the air fryer and enhances the crispiness without deep-frying.

Air Fryer Millet Arancini, How to make Millet Arancini

Recipe by Sandhya Riyaz

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: Snack, AppetizerCuisine: Indian-Italian FusionDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Air frying TIme

12- 14

minutes

Chill Time

minutes

Crispy air-fried millet arancini with a cheesy cheddar center and a hint of kasuri methi. A wholesome Indian-Italian fusion snack made with kodo millet, perfect for parties or guilt-free indulgence!

Ingredients for the millet base:

1 cup 1 Kodo millet – 1 cup (soaked for 2 hours)
1 tablespoon, 1 Butter
1 tablespoon, 1 Olive oil
¼ cup, ¼ Onion (finely chopped)
2 cloves 2 Garlic (minced)
½ teaspoon, ½ Red chili flakes
¼ teaspoon, ¼ Red chili powder
¼ teaspoon, ¼ Garam masala
½ teaspoon, ½ Kasuri methi (crushed)
Salt – to taste
2¼ to 2½ cups, 2¼ to 2½ Water (to cook millet)
For the filling:
10 – 12 nos. 10 – 12 Cheddar cheese – small cubes (chilled, ~1 cm)
For coating:
1 tablespoon, 1 All purpose flour – 1 tbsp
2 to 3 tablespoon, 2 to 3 Water
½ to ¾ cup ½ to ¾ Crushed cornflakes (lightly crushed, not powdered)

Directions

Cook the millet base:
Heat butter and olive oil in a pan. Sauté onions until soft, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add red chili flakes, chili powder, garam masala, and kasuri methi. Stir well.
Add soaked and drained kodo millet. Pour 2¼ to 2½ cups water and salt. Cook covered on low flame until millet is soft and slightly mushy (like risotto). Turn off the heat and let it cool.
Mix & shape:
Once the millet mixture cools, mix in Parmesan if using. Scoop a small portion, flatten it, place a cheddar cube inside, and shape into a ball. Repeat for all.
Coat:
Make a thin slurry with all purpose flour (maida) and water. Dip each ball into the slurry, then roll in crushed cornflakes. Set aside on a tray.
Chill:
Refrigerate the coated arancini for 10–15 minutes to firm them up.
Air-fry:
Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Place arancini in the basket with space between each. Air-fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with mint chutney, spicy tomato dip, or even classic marinara.
Great as a starter, tea-time snack, or party appetizer.

Notes

1 cup = 250 ml

Directions TO MAKE AIR FRYER MILLET ARANCINI with step by step images

Wash and Soak millet:
Wash and soak millet for 30 minutes to achieve slightly mushy mixture.
Cook the onion and spices:
Heat butter and olive oil in a pan. Sauté onions until soft, then add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add red chili flakes, chili powder, garam masala, and kasuri methi. Stir well.
Cook the millet base:
Add soaked and drained kodo millet. Pour 2¼ to 2½ cups water and salt. Cook covered on low flame until millet is soft and slightly mushy (like risotto). Turn off the heat and let it cool.
Mix u0026 shape:
Once the millet mixture cools, mix in Parmesan if using. Scoop a small portion, flatten it, place a cheddar cube inside, and shape into a ball. Repeat for all.
Make slurry:
Make a thin slurry with all purpose flour (maida) and water. Dip each ball into the slurry, then roll in crushed cornflakes. Set aside on a tray.
Coat and Chill:
Dip each ball into the slurry, then roll in crushed cornflakes. Set aside on a tray. Refrigerate the coated arancini for 10–15 minutes to firm them up.
Air-fry:
Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Place arancini in the basket with space between each. Air-fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and gold.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with mint chutney, spicy tomato dip, or even classic marinara.
Great as a starter, tea-time snack, or party appetizer.

Crispy kodo millet arancini on a rustic plate

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Pro Tips

Use chilled cheddar so it doesn’t melt too quickly inside.
Adjust spice levels to your taste — the kasuri methi adds a beautiful earthy note.
Don’t skip chilling the balls before air-frying — it helps hold the shape.

Serving Suggestions for Millet Arancini

Pair it with a dip: Serve hot with spicy tomato chutney, mint-yogurt dip, or a classic marinara sauce. The cheddar center and millet spice blend go beautifully with both desi and Italian dips.
As a party appetizer: Arrange them on a wooden platter with toothpicks and a trio of dips. They’re bite-sized, mess-free, and perfect for potlucks, iftar spreads, or festive tea parties.
With a salad: Make it a light meal by serving your arancini with a side of fresh cucumber-tomato salad or mint couscous salad.
Fusion-style chaat: Want something quirky? Break a few arancini, top with whisked curd, green chutney, sweet tamarind sauce, chopped onions, and sev — Indian street-style arancini chaat!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make millet arancini without cheese?

Yes, you can make millet arancini without cheese if you prefer a dairy-free or vegan version. Simply skip the cheddar and instead use a spiced mashed potato or veggie filling to keep the center flavorful.

What type of millet is best for arancini recipe with Indian flavors?

Kodo millet, little millet, or foxtail millet works best for arancini with Indian flavors. These millets cook up soft enough to bind yet hold their structure well when shaped and air-fried.

How to make air fryer arancini crispy without breadcrumbs?

To make air fryer arancini crispy without breadcrumbs, use crushed cornflakes or rolled oats as a coating. Dip the arancini in an all-purpose flour slurry before coating to help it stick and crisp evenly.

Can millet arancini be made ahead of time and frozen?

Yes! You can shape and coat millet arancini ahead of time and freeze them in a tray until firm. Once frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag. When ready to serve, air-fry directly from frozen—just add 2–3 extra minutes to the cook time.

Are millet arancini healthy for kids and toddlers?

Millet arancini made in an air fryer are a healthier snack for kids and toddlers. They’re rich in fiber, protein, and whole grains. You can even skip chili powder and use paneer or vegetables for a kid-friendly version.

Troubleshooting Tips for Millet Arancini (Air-Fryer Version)

Can I make millet arancini without cheese?

What type of millet is best for arancini recipe with Indian flavors?

Kodo millet, little millet, or foxtail millet works best for arancini with Indian flavors. These millets cook up soft enough to bind yet hold their structure well when shaped and air-fried.