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 are often lower in calories than slices of bread and their 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.

How to Make Rice Cakes More Filling

Rice cakes on their own don’t have many calories and won’t fill you up for long (if at all). Here’s how you can make rice cakes more filling.

Add Protein

Almost all of these topping ideas have some kind of protein in the topping suggestions (e.g Greek yogurt, hummus, nut butters, tuna, deli meat). You can easily pile on more of these or add on any of your own. I think of rice cakes like a piece of bread – a crunchy vessel for the protein topping!

Add Healthy Fats

Healthy fats are a great way to feel full even from a smaller snack. Examples include avocado, hummus, nut butters, etc.

Add Fiber

Fiber also helps keep you feeling full longer. Fresh fruit, cucumber slices, leafy greens, and seeds are all easy ways to add more fiber to your snack.

Pair with Fruit or Vegetables

In addition to your toppings, pair your rice cake with fresh fruit or vegetables on the side for extra fiber, nutrients, and staying power.

Love cooking with seasonal produce? Grab my free Seasonal Produce Guide to see what’s in season each month and make it easier to enjoy the freshest fruits and vegetables all year long.

Healthy Rice Cake Topping Ideas

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.

Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast, healthy lunch, afternoon snack, or post-workout meal, these healthy rice cake toppings are easy to customize. I’ve included both sweet and savory ideas below, plus even more combinations to inspire you.

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 versions as well – obviously I haven’t tried all those.

Our absolute favorite are the Lundberg Farms. Lundberg is a Northern California rice grower, so I love supporting a local company whenever I can.

They also produce rice for other countries and have become my go-to brand because of the texture and quality.

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 me 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…

If you’re shopping for rice cakes, you’ll also notice options like brown rice, white rice, organic, lightly salted, and unsalted varieties. Organic rice cakes are a great option if you’re looking for something more sustainably produced and, arguably, a bit “cleaner” since they’re made without synthetic pesticides or additives.

We typically buy plain, salted brown rice cakes because they’re hearty enough for both sweet and savory toppings, but white rice cakes work just as well if you prefer a lighter texture. The best choice ultimately comes down to personal preference, since the toppings are where most of the flavor comes from.

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

Once you start experimenting, you’ll realize almost anything you love on toast also works on a rice cake. Here are a few more of my favorite combinations.

• Peanut Butter + Shredded Coconut + Chocolate Chips
• Peanut Butter + Banana Slices + Honey
• Nonfat Greek Yogurt + Jam
• Brie Cheese + Honey + Thin Apple Slices
• Cottage Cheese + Blueberries + Honey
• Almond Butter + Apple + Cinnamon
• Ricotta + Peaches + Honey
• Chocolate Hummus + Strawberries
• Peanut Butter + Chia Jam
• Cottage Cheese + Cinnamon + Seasonal Fruit
• Cream Cheese + Fresh Berries

Savory Rice Cake Topping Ideas

Healthy Snack Ideas

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 healthy rice cake topping ideas work for breakfast, lunch, healthy afternoon snacks, or even a light dinner.

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

Looking for even more inspiration? These savory combinations are perfect for lunch, afternoon snacks, or light dinners.

• 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
• Cottage Cheese + Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Egg Salad
• Chicken Salad
• Pesto + Mozzarella + Tomato
• Ricotta + Roasted Tomatoes + Basil
• Avocado + Hard-Boiled Egg
• Black Beans + Salsa + Avocado
• Turkey + Cheddar + Mustard
• Whipped Feta + Tomatoes
• Cottage Cheese + Tomato + Basil

FAQs

Are rice cakes healthy?

Rice cakes can absolutely be part of a healthy diet. They’re low in calories, naturally gluten-free (if made from rice alone), and a great base for nutritious toppings. To make them more satisfying, pair them with protein, healthy fats, and fiber-rich fruits or vegetables instead of eating them plain.

Are rice cakes good for weight loss?

Rice cakes can be a helpful snack for weight loss because they’re portion-controlled and lower in calories than many breads and crackers. The key is choosing nutritious toppings like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, avocado, tuna, hummus, or nut butter to create a balanced snack that keeps you feeling full longer.

Are brown rice cakes healthier?

Brown rice cakes contain the whole grain, so they offer a little more fiber and nutrients than white rice cakes. That said, both can be healthy choices. I usually buy plain brown rice cakes because I enjoy their heartier texture, but either variety works well with your favorite toppings.

Can you make rice cakes ahead?

You can prepare all of the toppings ahead of time, but wait to assemble the rice cakes until you’re ready to eat. This keeps them crisp and prevents them from becoming soggy. Simply store your toppings in separate containers and build your rice cake in just a minute or two.

How do you keep rice cakes crunchy?

The easiest way to keep rice cakes crunchy is to add the toppings just before serving. Moist ingredients like yogurt, hummus, avocado, or fruit will soften the rice cake over time, so it’s best to assemble them right before eating.

And make sure you’re storing them in their sealed bag/container to keep them tasting as fresh as possible.

What are the healthiest rice cake toppings?

Some of the healthiest rice cake toppings include Greek yogurt with berries, cottage cheese and fruit, hummus with cucumbers, avocado with chili flakes, tuna salad, turkey with mustard and greens, and nut butter with banana. Combining protein, healthy fats, and fiber creates a balanced snack that’s both delicious and satisfying.

More Healthy Snack Ideas

Rice cakes are one of my favorite healthy snacks because they’re so easy to customize. Whether you’re craving something sweet, savory, high in protein, or simply trying to use up ingredients you already have, there’s a topping combination for just about everyone.

If you’re looking for even more healthy snack ideas, be sure to check out my favorite Greek yogurt toppings, hummus toppings, and healthy salad toppings. And if you loved the tuna rice cake, you’ll definitely want to try my garlic lemon tuna pasta for another quick, protein-packed meal.

Have a favorite rice cake topping that isn’t on this list? I’d love to hear it in the comments so I can give it a try!