The Crispy Appetizer That's So Easy To Make From Leftover Rice

It's no secret that leftover rice is seldom as good as fresh. Even if you've made the perfect rice that celebrity chef Bobby Flay would be proud of, it dries out fast and just never tastes as good a day or two later. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to transform that arid leftover rice into all-new dishes you'd never believe were made with anything but the freshest ingredients.

Using your leftover rice, you can easily make a batch of yummy croquettes. Croquettes are fried balls or patties – in this case, of rice — combined with different ingredients like proteins and veggies. You can make them using most anything you have in your fridge, and they'll come out tasting fantastic. They work in either a traditional deep fryer or an air fryer, though you'll naturally need different cooking times depending on your gadget of choice. Simply mix all your ingredients together, coat with breading, and fry. For even better croquettes, store your leftover rice in the freezer to prevent it from drying out and keep it fresh longer.

Croquettes are very similar to an Italian dish called arancini, one of the essential words to know in an Italian restaurant. However, there's a key difference: instead of everything being mixed together, the rice in arancini is stuffed with the ingredients, typically mozzarella cheese, making a sort of shell between the breading and other ingredients. You can also use leftover rice to make arancini, though we think croquettes are simpler.

Since most anything can go into a batch of croquettes, it can be overwhelming to think of all the different possibilities. Thankfully, we've got some ideas for you to use as a starting point. First off, try your croquettes with a mixture of cooked ground beef, roughly chopped mushrooms, and shredded cheese. One protein, one veggie, and one cheese is a great rule of thumb for the basis of your croquette recipe. Beef and mushrooms are an excellent combo that goes with many different cheeses, so this is a great place to start.

If you prefer white meat, chicken is another great protein for your croquettes. Combined with some chopped onion and herbs, it makes a delicious pairing for your leftover rice. Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses are both great with chicken. With the right combination of seasonings, you can even make KFC-style chicken croquettes.

Of course, vegan and vegetarian croquettes are always an option. There's a whole world of meat-free ingredients waiting to go into your croquettes, like cauliflower, carrots, mushrooms, and tofu, so don't feel like you absolutely have to include meat or cheese if you're not feeling it. Even if you aren't vegan or vegetarian, veggie and cheese croquettes are delicious, as are seafood options like fish or crab. The fryer is your oyster with this recipe, so feel free to combine your leftover rice with whatever ingredients you're craving.