Bolinho de Arroz is a traditional Brazilian snack of balls of cheesy rice crammed with spices, which can also include shredded meat or chicken in the mix. Much like Spanish albondigas (meatballs) Bolinho de Arroz come in a bowl of bitesize batches that are ideally enjoyed with salsa, sauce, or salad.

I got hooked on Bolinho de Arroz when backpacking through Brazil. With plenty of long bus trips on the road, it was always welcome to stop off and grab some rice balls or empanadas when stretching my legs during a short stop. They were plentiful, cheap, and delicious.

While Bolinho de Arroz are traditionally deep fried, I’ve been working on a version that remains full-flavored and exciting but uses little oil. By cooking the rice balls in my air fryer, I can maintain a healthier mix of ingredients, and utilize my favorite cheese halloumi to make a yummy, but not too melty, middle. I use a bit of water on my hands when rolling the balls to ensure that the meatballs stay nice and round – and don’t stick to my hands! This ensures a beautiful finished product, as well.

Cheesy rice balls are also versatile! While I’ve gone for a halloumi middle, you can opt to go with mozzarella cheese or even a meat-filled center, their make-up is entirely up to you. And throwing together an accompanying cherry tomato and fresh basil salsa can turn a simple snack into something more solid for lunches or as appetizers.

Having a snack such as this one comes in really handy. These cheesy rice balls take little time to put together yet they’re packed with comfortable, everyday flavors that you can find easily in your pantry, and are especially useful for spur-of-the-moment get-togethers, off the cuff gameday feasts, or reusing leftovers from previous meals.