Thai Peanut Fried Rice Balls (Print Version)
Crispy rice balls with Thai flavors, zesty peanut sauce, and fresh herbs. Great for sharing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Rice Ball Mixture
01 - 2 cups cooked jasmine rice, cooled
02 - 1/2 cup grated carrot
03 - 1/2 cup finely chopped scallions
04 - 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
05 - 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts
06 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
07 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
08 - 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional, for heat)
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Breading & Frying
11 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12 - 2 large eggs, beaten
13 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
14 - Vegetable oil, for frying (minimum 1 inch depth)
→ Peanut Dipping Sauce
15 - 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
16 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
17 - 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
18 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
19 - 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
20 - 1 garlic clove, minced
21 - 1–2 tablespoons hot water (to thin sauce as needed)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - In a large bowl, thoroughly mix cooled jasmine rice with grated carrot, chopped scallions, cilantro, roasted peanuts, soy sauce, lime juice, sriracha if desired, salt, and ground black pepper until evenly incorporated.
02 - With damp hands, form rice mixture into uniform 1 1/2-inch balls, each compact for structural integrity.
03 - Set up three shallow bowls: one for the flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for panko breadcrumbs.
04 - Coat each rice ball first in flour, then dip fully in egg wash, and finish by rolling thoroughly in panko breadcrumbs for even coverage.
05 - Pour at least 1 inch of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or saucepan, and heat over medium setting to 350°F (175°C).
06 - Working in batches, fry rice balls, turning as needed, until uniformly golden and crisp on all sides, approximately 3–4 minutes per batch. Avoid crowding the pan.
07 - Remove fried rice balls using a slotted spoon and transfer onto paper towels to drain surplus oil.
08 - In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, and just enough hot water for a smooth, dippable consistency.
09 - Present rice balls warm, accompanied by peanut dipping sauce on the side.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Packed with bold Thai flavors and crunchy textures
- Perfect for entertaining or a delicious vegetarian snack
02 -
- Contains peanuts, eggs, and wheat, but you can substitute with allergy-friendly ingredients
- Baked version: bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once
03 -
- Shape rice balls with damp hands to prevent sticking
- Chill the shaped balls for 10 minutes before breading for easier handling