If you are an arancini ball lover, chances are you have had a situation where you have made too many at once.
Maybe it was a holiday and your family wanted more, or maybe you were planning to feed an army of people for a football party.
I am sure it is fun to share your beloved dish. But having a lot of leftovers can be challenging to keep them safe.
Can you freeze cooked arancini balls? Yes, you can freeze cooked arancini balls. You can just wrap them with aluminum foil and pop them in the freezer. If stored properly, cooked arancini balls can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
You can also keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, this method will alter the taste and texture of your dish.
How to freeze cooked arancini balls correctly?
The best way to freeze cooked arancini balls is to freeze them as quickly as possible after cooking/cooling.
As with most foods that contain dairy and meats, it is best to package the arancini balls in individual bags or containers once they are frozen.
This way, you can remove only the number of arancini balls that you need when you want them.
Generally speaking, cooked foods (especially meat products) should be frozen within 2 days after preparation for maximum quality and nutrition.
How long can you freeze arancini balls?
Freezing cooked arancini balls for a month or longer is not ideal, as the taste and texture will begin to degrade.
However, arancini balls that are frozen slowly in a deep freezer at a temperature of 14 Fahrenheit or lower can stay fresh and tasty for several months.
Can You Reheat Frozen Arancini Balls?
Yes! If arancini balls have been stored properly (as described above), they can be reheated in the oven before serving.
Here’s how to reheat frozen arancini balls in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400 Fahrenheit.
- Place each frozen arancini ball on an oven tray lined with a baking mat, or parchment paper.
- Cover each arancini ball with aluminum foil and place it in the oven for about 10-15 minutes (the covered balls will heat gently and evenly).
- After the arancini balls have been heated through, remove them from the oven, cover loosely again, and leave to rest.
- The frozen arancini balls are now ready to be served hot!
The best way to reheat leftovers is in an oven because it heats food evenly and slowly without damaging its taste or texture as microwaves do.
Thawing cooked arancini balls at room temperature is not recommended because bacteria can grow easily at room temperatures.
If you thawed your arancino balls at room temperature, it is better to enjoy them immediately.
How can you tell if cooked arancini balls are bad?
You will be able to tell if your frozen or thawed arancini balls are bad by their smell and taste.
Usually, spoiled food smells sour or weird. Of course, the smell of spoilage does not always mean that the food is spoiled; it’s best to follow your senses.
If you think the smell and look of your cooked arancini do not seem right (e.g., they have a sour odor/crusty surface), don’t eat them because chances are that they could make you sick!
The same rule applies if you notice any changes to the color, texture, or flavor of your arancini balls.
How long does an uncooked arancino ball last?
Uncooked arancini balls can stay fresh in the fridge for up to 7 days when properly stored.
Make sure they are covered tightly before storing them in the refrigerator. You should use them within this time frame so that you can enjoy their original taste as much as possible.
This time frame also applies to cooked arancini balls if they were not frozen or thawed by the manufacturer.
Once you freeze raw or cooked foods, always follow the freezing guidelines above (e.g., freeze quickly and store them individually).
Can You Freeze Cooked Arancini Balls with Gravy?
Yes, you can freeze cooked arancini balls with gravy. However, the cooked arancini balls will not be as fresh or tasty as fresh ones (as described in this article).
In addition, once frozen and defrosted, the gravy may leak out of the arancini balls. Therefore, it is recommended to freeze cooked arancini balls without gravy if possible.
If you simply cannot store your fresh arancini with the gravy separately, it is best to reheat them by filling each frozen ball with sauce and reheating them as described above.
The defrosted balls will be a bit soggy but they can still be enjoyed this way!
Can cooked arancini balls go bad?
Yes! Cooked arancini balls can go bad just like any other food. You will be able to tell if your frozen or thawed arancini ball has been spoiled by its smell and taste as well as its texture and appearance.
This means that it is very important to freeze cooked arancini balls properly as previously described especially when storing them for a longer period of time.
Final Thoughts
Arancini balls are a delightful Italian appetizer or snack food that many people enjoy, especially in Europe and the United States.
However, arancini balls can become stale if not stored and served properly (especially when cooked and frozen).
If you have any leftover cooked arancini balls from dinner parties or other events, it’s important to know how to store them before they go bad.
You can freeze cooked arancini balls to preserve their quality. This will allow you to enjoy the recipe later.
