Cheesy Rice Poppers Recipe
Description:
The Cheesy Rice Poppers are the perfect combination of flavors and textures, offering a delightful finger food snack that’s both crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. These savory poppers make an excellent appetizer for parties, a delicious side dish, or a tempting evening snack. With a golden, crunchy crust and gooey cheese-filled center, they are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
Cuisine: Continental
Course: Dinner
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients:
| For the Rice Poppers | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter (Salted) | 2 tablespoons |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, finely chopped |
| Green Chillies | 2, finely chopped |
| Onion | 1, finely chopped |
| Green Capsicum | 1/4 cup, finely chopped |
| Cooked Rice | 2 cups, mashed |
| Sweet Corn | 1/4 cup, steamed |
| All Purpose Flour (Maida) | 3 tablespoons |
| Mint Leaves (Pudina) | 6 sprigs, finely chopped |
| Mozzarella Cheese | 1/4 cup, grated |
| Black Pepper Powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Oil | For pan frying |
| Salt | To taste |
| For the Outer Crust | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All Purpose Flour (Maida) | 2 tablespoons |
| Water | 4 tablespoons |
| Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs | 1/2 cup |
| Mixed Herbs (Dried) | 1 teaspoon |
| Red Chilli Flakes | 1 teaspoon |
Preparation Time:
10 minutes
Cooking Time:
10 minutes
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Rice Poppers Mixture:
- Begin by prepping all the ingredients. Finely chop the garlic, green chillies, onion, capsicum, and mint leaves.
- In a pan, melt butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and green chillies, sautéing them until aromatic (about 30 seconds).
- Next, add the chopped onions and capsicum, and sauté for an additional minute, until they soften slightly.
- Add the mashed cooked rice, steamed sweet corn, grated mozzarella cheese, finely chopped mint leaves, black pepper powder, and salt. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes). Once cooled, stir in the all-purpose flour (maida) and mix until everything is well incorporated.
- Cover the mixture and refrigerate for about 1 hour to firm up.
-
Prepare the Outer Crust:
- While the rice mixture chills, prepare the slurry for the coating. In a small bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and water to form a smooth batter.
- In another bowl, combine the whole wheat bread crumbs, mixed herbs, and red chilli flakes, and set this aside.
-
Form and Fry the Poppers:
- Heat oil in a paniyaram pan (or a shallow frying pan) over medium heat.
- Once the rice mixture is chilled, grease your palms with a little oil, and shape the mixture into lemon-sized balls.
- Dip each ball into the slurry to coat, then roll them in the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure they are fully coated.
- Carefully place the coated rice poppers into the heated pan, ensuring there is enough space between each popper. Pan-fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides, adding more oil as needed for even frying.
-
Serving:
- Once the Cheesy Rice Poppers are evenly crisp and golden, remove them from the pan and drain on paper towels.
- Serve the poppers hot with a side of Homemade Red Chilli Garlic Sauce and Mango Iced Tea for a flavorful and refreshing snack.
Enjoy these Cheesy Rice Poppers as a perfect snack or appetizer for any occasion. Their crispy texture, savory filling, and cheesy goodness are sure to impress your guests or family!
