Rice Cake Toppings

I’m in love with rice cakes and all the rice cake toppings out there. I feel as though I’ve tried so many options and yet I keep thinking of more!

When I started eating healthier and losing weight (read my weight loss story here), bread was the first thing I limited. It’s still a huge weakness for me and I enjoy it so much that I’ve never cut it out of my diet completely.

I realized, however, that oftentimes a piece of bread was used as more of a vessel for the topping, so I started substituting rice cakes for bread slices when I could. It wasn’t long before I found a bunch of rice cake toppings for healthy snacks and small meals.

Are Rice Cakes a Healthy Snack?

The crunch of rice cakes is very satisfying and the calories are thrown out the window (along with the heavy feeling bread can leave behind). Rice cakes cut out the carbs of bread and the crunch provides a satisfying eating experience similar to chips or popcorn – crunch, crunch, crunch!

While rice cakes come in a variety of flavors, I prefer to add my own toppings to brown or white rice cakes that are a bit heartier.

Healthy rice cake toppings recipes

These are my five favorite healthy rice cake toppings for snacks and small meals – with a list of a few more ideas at the bottom. The options are endless really – just try to avoid anything warm as it softens the popped rice easily.

I’m a big fan of Lundberg Rice Cakes as they’re sturdier than Quaker and other store-brand varieties. I also love supporting a great company from Northern California! You can find them on Amazon in a variety of flavors. I also buy them at Trader Joe’s.

Can You Make these Ahead of time?

You can absolutely do the toppings ahead of time, but DON’T put the toppings on the rice cake until just before eating unless you want some soggy business going on.

Obviously some rice cakes are sturdier than others (more below), but generally, they’re light and airy so the moisture from any toppings will start to mess with the structure (and that great crunch of) the cake.

What Rice Cakes are Best?

The two long standing brands for rice cakes that I’m familiar with are Quaker and Lundberg Farms. I do know that many markets have their own brand’s version as well – obviously I haven’t tried all those.

Our absolute favorite are the Lundberg Farms. Lundberg is a northern California rice grower and they produce great products and are a local brand to me even though they’re a national brand (and grower of rice for other countries).

The reason I like their rice cakes so much more is that they’re crunchy and taste like puffed rice baked together. Other brands tend to have a weird consistency that reminds ne of packing peanuts. While everyone has their own taste, I also think these ones don’t stand up to toppings, which I like to load on…

Sweet Rice Cake Topping Ideas

PEANUT BUTTER + JELLY

Replace your favorite pb&j sandwich with all the stick-to-your-teeth flavor! The peanut butter is a delicious bit of protein that will stick with you and the jelly is a tasty treat. A great snack for kids and adults without all the bread. And no need to cut off the crusts!

A mix like honey peanut butter or this seed and nut butter would also be delicious.

What to put on rice cakes for breakfast

GREEK YOGURT + GRANOLA

One of my favorite ways for how to eat rice cakes for a heartier snack to get me to dinner. This is also good for a breakfast.

The protein from the yogurt and chia seeds will keep you full for a while! The honey, dried fruit, and granola make it a delectable treat that will fill you up in the morning without guilt!

If you love Greek yogurt, you’ll love these sweet and savory greek yogurt toppings ideas!

Other Sweet Rice Cake Topping Ideas

Peanut Butter + Shredded Coconut + Chocolate Chips
Peanut Butter + Banana Slices + Honey
Nonfat Greek Yogurt + Jam
Brie Cheese + Honey + Thin Apple Slices

Savory Rice Cake Topping Ideas

Healthy afternoon snacking

AVOCADO + CHILI FLAKES

The substitute for avocado toast. This doesn’t need much explanation – mix avocado chunks with salt and pepper. Top with chili flakes for a kick – a riff on my spicy avocado toast! Obviously you know this one is amazing! As are all of these healthy rice cake ideas.

Depending on what you’re craving and how hungry you are, these rice cake toppings are great morning, noon, and night. They’re great as healthy afternoon snacks. No need to worry about getting hungry again before the next meal if you pack enough protein and flavor on top!

Healthy Snack Ideas

HUMMUS + CUCUMBER + HOMEMADE EVERYTHING SEASONING

An easy, savory snack that’s great for lunch with fruit or before dinner, this combo has a little protein from the hummus and some great antioxidants and nutrients from the cucumbers. The everything seasoning is really just the icing on the (healthy snack) cake!

Get more ideas for hummus toppings here!

Healthy lunch snacks

TUNA w. GREEK YOGURT + SPINACH

One of the heartier rice cake snack ideas is with the tuna and greek yogurt. Add some spinach for veggie and top with lemon zest, salt, and pepper for tons of flavor without any extra added calories. The perfect healthy lunch/snack that will fill you up! It’s a fun snack version of this tuna pasta!

OTHER SAVORY RICE CAKE TOPPINGS:

Turkey Sandwich (turkey, mustard, greens)
Cream Cheese w. Everything Seasoning (add smoked salmon for the full experience)
Thai Style (Peanut Butter + Hoisin Sauce + Sriracha Hot Sauce + Cilantro)
Herbed Goat Cheese
Sweet Potato Puree + Black Beans + Pico de Gallo