Low-Carb Broccoli Rice Croquettes

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped pancetta and cook and stir until cooked through but not too crispy, 4 to 6 minutes. Add frozen broccoli rice and stir until it is warmed through and the liquid releases, 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir saffron powder into hot broth and pour mixture into the skillet. Continue cooking, stirring often, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Transfer broccoli rice to a large bowl to cool completely, about 15 minutes.

Add shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and egg to cooled rice mixture and mix until well combined. Whisk together almond meal, hazelnut meal, chili powder, and pepper in a separate bowl; remove 1/3 cup and mix into the rice mixture until well combined.

Coat your hands with remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil. Scoop rice mixture with a 1-ounce cookie scoop into your palm. Make an indentation in the rice ball with the back of the cookie scoop. Place 1 bocconcini inside the indentation and add another scoop rice on top. Form into a ball and roll in the almond meal mixture, coating well on all sides; place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining rice, bocconcini, and almond meal mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Turn croquettes over and bake until brown and crispy, about 10 more minutes.