Savory Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Rice Balls
Easy Lunchbox Side Dish! Bacon Cheese Rice Ball Recipe
Rice balls lovingly wrapped in savory and salty bacon are a perfect addition to lunchboxes or a simple meal. This recipe uses leftover sweet corn rice, enhanced with cheese for a delightful Bacon Cheese Wrapped Rice Ball. The delightful texture of popping corn kernels combined with the rich, cheesy flavor makes these rice balls exceptionally delicious. For about 1.5 bowls of rice (300g) and 10 strips of bacon, you can make 2-3 servings. If you prefer smaller rice balls, you can use half a strip of bacon per ball. A pro tip for perfectly crisp bacon-wrapped rice balls is to place the seam side down first while cooking; the bacon will seal as it cooks, preventing it from unraveling. While this recipe uses sweet corn rice for a pleasant pop, plain rice works wonderfully too. You can also add a sprinkle of furikake or sesame seeds to your rice for an extra nutty flavor. Let’s get started!
Ingredients- 10 strips of bacon
- 300g rice (approx. 1.5 bowls)
- 5 slices of cheese
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, we’ll use leftover rice from cooking sweet corn rice. Using corn rice adds a delightful ‘pop’ texture, making it even tastier. If you’re using plain white rice, consider mixing in a little furikake or toasted sesame seeds for added nutty flavor.
Step 2
Next, shape the rice into 10 small rice balls. Try to make them roughly the width of a bacon strip for a neat finish when wrapped.
Step 3
Prepare the cheese slices by cutting each one in half with scissors.
Step 4
Lay a strip of bacon flat on a clean surface. Place half a slice of cheese on top of the bacon, and then position a rice ball on top of the cheese.
Step 5
Carefully wrap the bacon around the rice ball, tucking in the ends. Ensure the seam of the bacon strip is placed on the bottom when you’re done wrapping. Using the full strip of bacon is recommended to prevent the cheese from leaking out. If you’re making smaller rice balls with just a small amount of rice and no cheese, you can use half a bacon strip.
Step 6
Preheat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Place the bacon-wrapped rice balls seam-side down in the pan. Cooking the seam side first will help the bacon seal together as it cooks, keeping the rice ball intact.
Step 7
Turn the rice balls occasionally and cook until all sides are golden brown and the bacon is crispy. Once beautifully cooked, they are ready to be enjoyed!
