20 Rice Cake Recipe Ideas for Quick Snacks

Rice cakes are low-fat and offer a satisfying crunch, making them a popular snack option. They’re also super versatile. If you’ve thought of rice cakes as boring, it’s time to think again! These exciting rice cake recipe ideas are about to change your mind.

What is a rice cake?

If you’re not already familiar with this product, you may be asking yourself, “What is a rice cake?” This simple snack is made from puffed rice that is pressed together into a circular “cake.” There are many different types of rice cakes available. Some are made with white rice, while others are made from brown rice, which is typically a healthier option. Rice cakes also come in various flavors like white cheddar, caramel, apple cinnamon, and lightly salted.

How to come up with rice cake snack ideas

Rice cakes on their own don’t offer much sustenance, but if you pair them with other ingredients, they can become a much more satisfying snack. You can top a full-sized rice cake with your favorite spread or use mini-rice cakes instead with a delicious dip instead of chips or crackers. Once you start using your imagination, you’re sure to come up with some excellent rice cake snack ideas on your own.

Not sure where to start? Check out these delicious and easy rice cake recipe ideas!

Delicious dips to eat with rice cakes

There are so many different types of dips, you could enjoy them with your rice cakes every day and never get bored. Whether you’re in the mood for something heavy or you want a light and healthy snack, there’s a dip that’s perfect for you. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:

1. Avocado-yogurt dip

A lighter version of guacamole, this avocado-yogurt dip is packed with protein. If you like spicy foods, you can give this dip a bit of a kick by tossing in some diced jalapeño or a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. Make this snack even healthier by adding a side of your favorite vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, or snap peas.

2. Finger-lickin’ onion dip

Rich and savory with the perfect amount of tangy sweetness, this finger-lickin’ onion dip is borderline addictive. It takes just 10 minutes to make and is sure to become one of your favorite go-to snacks.

3. Green chili and goat cheese dip

This creamy, cheesy green chili and goat cheese dip tastes terrific with rice cakes! It has just the right amount of heat, thanks to the addition of green chiles and smokey chipotle peppers.

4. Isa’s vegan french onion dip

If you’re avoiding animal products, you’ll be glad to know that most rice cakes are 100% vegan. You can pair them with this delicious vegan french onion dip for the perfect vegan-friendly snack.

5. Restaurant-style spinach and artichoke dip

If you’re looking for a decadent snack, you’ll love pairing this restaurant-style spinach and artichoke dip with your mini rice cakes. It uses refrigerated alfredo sauce as the base, giving it a rich, creamy texture.

6. Hot chipped beef dip

Made with dried beef and horseradish, this hot chipped beef dip is sure to satisfy. It only takes about 15 minutes to prepare. Bake it in the oven for 20 minutes and enjoy it while it’s hot.

7. Apple brickle dip

There’s no reason that rice cake recipe ideas always have to be savory! If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love this apple brickle dip. It’s made with a cream cheese base and sweet toffee chips. Serve this dip with slices of green apple and pair it with apple cinnamon-flavored mini rice cakes.

8. Carrot ginger dip

This carrot ginger dip is the perfect mix of garlic, pepper, and a sweet touch of maple syrup. It’s a healthy dip you can feel good about eating.

9. Creamy corn dip

You can whip up this creamy corn dip in the microwave, making it the perfect midnight snack! Since it has diced pimentos and sweet peppers, it has a mild flavor, but you can always add some jalapeños if you want to spice it up.

10. Creamy dip for fruit

This sweet, creamy dip paired with fresh fruit and cinnamon-flavored mini rice cakes is a light and refreshing snack you’ll find yourself craving all the time.

Savory spreads to eat with rice cakes

Topping your rice cake with a homemade spread is a quick and easy way to make a satisfying snack! Use these recipes for inspiration, then try coming up with a few of your own:

1. Grilled guacamole

Guacamole is delicious on its own, but this grilled guacamole recipe takes it to a whole new level. Once they come off the grill, the avocados will have a smokey, caramelized flavor. This creamy, chunky guacamole has just the right amount of zip and tastes fantastic on top of plain or lightly salted rice cakes.

2. Reuben spread

Reuben spread on top of a rice cake is the perfect way to make a lighter version of the classic Reuben sandwich. It’s also a good option for those who aren’t a fan of rye bread.

3. Blue cheese herb spread

This delicious blue cheese herb spread is made from a mix of cream cheese, blue cheese, walnuts, chives, and parsley. It’s delicious on top of a rice cake or as a sandwich spread.

4. Feta-yogurt spread

The mix of salty feta cheese and tangy Greek yogurt in this feta-yogurt spread creates an amazing flavor profile. Spread it on top of a rice cake and top it with sliced deli meat to create a quick and easy meal.

5. Roasted red pepper hummus

Another great way to create a meal out of rice cakes is to top them with this homemade roasted red pepper hummus and a few pieces of deli turkey. It’s a light, flavorful meal that you’re sure to love!

How to make your own rice cakes

Store-bought rice cakes are inexpensive and convenient, but did you know you can also make your own at home? Once you find a good puffed rice cake recipe, you may never want to buy pre-made rice cakes again! Here are a few interesting recipes to try:

1. 10-minute rice cakes

To make these quick and easy rice cakes, combine half a cup of cooked white rice, a tablespoon of chopped basil, a teaspoon of milk, and a dash of salt and pepper in a bowl. Then, form the mixture into “cakes” and brown them in butter for 2-3 minutes per side.

2. Baked rice cakes

This simple recipe starts with grinding uncooked rice in the blender, then mixing it with 1.5 cups of water, 2 eggs, and 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Then, add any flavorings you want, like cheese or sugar and cinnamon. Pour the mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake it for 40-50 minutes.

3. Steamed sweet rice cakes

To make this sweet, sticky rice cake, start by whisking together 4 cups of rice flour, 2 cups of lukewarm water, 14oz of canned coconut milk, and 1 cup of white sugar. Add in 4 teaspoons of tapioca starch, 1.5 teaspoons of active dry yeast, ½ a teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ¼ a teaspoon of salt.

Cover the mixture with a lid and leave it to rest for about 2 hours so that the air bubbles can rise to the surface. Then, place cake molds on top of a steamer and steam the mixture for about 10 minutes. It’s done when you can insert a toothpick into the cake, and it comes out clean.

4. Puffed rice cake

This puffed rice cake recipe is quick and easy to make. Simply toast 1 cup of sesame seeds in a pan and add ½ a cup of tahini paste, ½ a cup of honey, ½ a stick of butter, and 1/3 a cup of sugar. Pour this mixture over 5 cups of puffed rice.

Transfer the mixture into a greased pan and refrigerate it for 30 minutes before cutting it into squares.

5. Homemade puffed rice

If you want to make puffed rice cakes without buying store-bought puffed rice, you can easily make your own at home. Start by soaking the rice for 10 minutes, then boiling it for 30 minutes. While it’s boiling, season it with either sugar or salt, depending on the type of rice cakes you plan to make. Once it’s cooked, spread it out on a sheet of absorbent paper and let it dry for 24 hours.

Next, preheat your oven to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the dried rice on a greased baking tray and cook it for 2 hours. Let the rice cool, and you’re done!

Start enjoying rice cakes today!

Now that you’ve got some rice cake recipe ideas up your sleeve, you’re probably excited to try them. The good news is, you can try as many rice cake snack ideas as you want without having to go to the grocery store. Simply visit Instacart via our website or app, create your shopping list, and let a professional shopper take care of everything for you!

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.