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4.2 from 120 votes

Carioca

Carioca with brown sugar glaze are the perfect snack or dessert! These fried rice balls are sweet, chewy, and gluten-free! They're easy to make with only four ingredients and under 30 minutes.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 147 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Filipino

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups glutinous rice flour
  • 1 cup water
  • canola oil
  • ½ cup sugar

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a bowl, place flour and carefully add water. Stir until flour is moistened. If needed, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to form a firm but smooth and pliable dough. The dough should not feel dry or too sticky.
  2. Scoop about 1 teaspoonful of dough and roll in palm of hands into 1-inch balls. Using the sharp end of one bamboo skewer, poke through each dough ball.
  3. In a wide pan over medium heat, heat about 1 to 2 inches of oil. Carefully add balls into the oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until they float to the top. Continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes or until lightly golden.
  4. With a slotted spoon, remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
  5. Place the brown sugar in the oil and cook, stirring regularly, until it begins to melt.
  6. Add rice balls and cook, stirring regularly, until coated with caramel.
  7. Remove from the pan and drain on a wire rack. Skewer in bamboo skewers if desired.

Notes

  • Use the sharp end of one bamboo skewer to poke through each dough ball to prevent them from "exploding" and lessen hot oil splattering.
  • When the balls begin to float, continue to cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the outer shell begins to crisp and lightly brown, keeping the carioca from collapsing.
  • Drain on a wire rack and not on paper towels as the sugar coating will stick.

Nutrition Information

Calories 147kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 24g (8%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 5g (8%) Saturated Fat 0.4g (2%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 0.02g Sodium 1mg (0%) Potassium 15mg (0%) Fiber 0.5g (2%) Sugar 8g (16%) Calcium 3mg (0%) Iron 0.1mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 147

% Daily Value*

Calories 147kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 24g 8%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 5g 8%
Saturated Fat 0.4g 2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0.02g 1%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Potassium 15mg 0%
Fiber 0.5g 2%
Sugar 8g 16%
Calcium 3mg 0%
Iron 0.1mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.