By Carina Stathis For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:11 EDT, 6 May 2020 | Updated: 20:40 EDT, 6 May 2020

Home cooks are using pie makers to cook delicious alternative meals in addition to the device's intended use.

And now a clever amateur cook has revealed how to make tasty arancini balls using a $29 Kmart pie maker.

The genius idea was shared to the Kmart Pie Maker Recipes, Tips and Ideas Australia Facebook group – which has more than 8,200 members – after the dish was spotted doing the rounds on social media. 

'So quite awhile back I saw a few people make [arancini balls] in their pie maker, so I finally got around to giving them a go with the leftover mushroom risotto I had in the fridge,' she said in the caption.

A clever amateur cook has revealed how to make tasty arancini balls using a $29 Kmart pie maker (pictured)

Along with the recipe, the woman also provided other helpful cooking tips when making the arancini balls. 

'I found using a large heatproof plastic spoon helped to flip them without breaking,' she said, adding she rotated the arancinis on both sides until they were crispy.

'Once cooked drain on a paper towel and what I did was turned my oven on to a very low heat and kept the arancini's in there to stay warm while I cooked the rest of them.'

The woman said she made 12 arancini balls with leftover risotto and it only took 10 to 12 minutes to cook in the pie maker. 

Leftover risotto (must be cold)

Breadcrumbs - either regular or panko 

Seasoning of choice I used S&P, Italian Herbs

Optional: A Tomato Pasta Sauce to serve with. I used a Fresh Coles Tomato & Basil Sauce

With clean hands place a spoonful of risotto into the palm of your hand, flatten slightly and make an indent in the centre and place one bocconcini inside 

Then pinch the rice around the cheese to enclose

Add a bit more risotto if needed and roll into a ball shape, set aside on parchment paper and repeat until all the risotto has been used

Place in the fridge for approximately one hour to set

Brush some oil on the top and bottom of each Pie hole

Take out arancini's from the fridge

Whisk one egg in a bowl, place breadcrumbs in another bowl and season with Italian herbs, salt and pepper 

Dip the arancini in the egg and roll around until its coated all over

Dip in breadcrumbs and coat all over 

Place in pie maker Repeat with all arancinis 

Close the lid and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until both sides are golden brown - flipped them about the 5 minute mark then flipped again if needed

Once cooked drain on a paper towel

Top with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese (optional) and serve 

Source: Kmart Pie Maker Recipes, Tips and Ideas Australia 

Dip the arancini ball in egg first, then in breadcrumbs before placing in the pie maker (ingredients in bowls pictured)

With clean hands place a spoonful of risotto into the palm of your hand, flatten slightly and make an indent in the centre and place one bocconcini inside

After sharing the recipe on social media, others were quick to comment and the post attracted more than 500 likes.

'I can't thank you enough for sharing this,' one woman replied online.

'Much more innovative way of dealing with leftover risotto. Thanks for the inspiration,' another said.

A third woman also said she tried the recipe and cooked the arancini balls in the air fryer, which worked just as well.  

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