• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Wholly Tasteful
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • 30-Minute Dinners
    • Low carb
    • Healthy Snacks
    • Healthy Baking
    • Vegetarian
  • About
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • 30-Minute Dinners
  • Salads & Bowls
  • Healthy Baking
  • Healthy Snacks
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Breakfast
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • 30-Minute Dinners
    • Salads & Bowls
    • Healthy Baking
    • Healthy Snacks
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Breakfast

    Healthy Rice Cake Snacks

    April 19, 2022 by Agnieszka 16 Comments

    63 shares
    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    If you are looking for healthy puffed rice cake toppings, here are six simple and nutritious healthy rice cake snack ideas to try. Some are sweet, some savory but all will make that 3PM snack craving fun, easy and delicious!

    six different kinds of open face sandwiches on round rice cakes, sweet and savory.

    If you’re in a snack rut, puffed rice cakes topped with delicious things are something you should try today! The cakes on their own are pretty dry and not particularly satisfying but I recently discovered that they are a PERFECT low-cal alternative to sandwiches!

    Of course there is nothing wrong with a good sandwich but it’s usually too substantial and too filling to be eaten as a snack. Plus, I’m often more interested in the toppings than the bread, especially when it’s not mealtime yet.

    Open sandwiches on puffed rice cakes bring snack time to a whole new level! The topping variations are endless but if you’re looking for ideas, I am sharing my 6 favorite combinations below.

    If you are looking for a healthy dessert using puffed rice cakes, make sure to also try my Almond Butter Chocolate Rice Krispies.

    Jump to:
    • Healthy rice cake topping ideas
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to make healthy rice cake snacks
    • What else goes well on rice cakes
    • More prep tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More healthy snacks
    • Recipe
    • You may also like
    • Meet the Author

    Healthy rice cake topping ideas

    To make plain and slightly boring rice cake interesting and nutritious, I developed a winning topping formula:

    1. Protein or healthy fat rich spread
    2. Fresh fruit, veg or protein
    3. Healthy and/or crunchy sprinkles

    When you follow this simple principle, the humble rice cake turns into a perfectly balanced and delicious snack that will keep you satisfied for a couple hours.

    The 6 flavor combinations that I like best are:

    1. Almond butter, fresh berries & chia seeds
    2. Peanut butter, sliced banana & cinnamon
    3. Hummus, bell pepper & hemp hearts
    4. Cottage cheese, cucumber, tomato, salt & pepper
    5. Mashed avocado, smoked salmon, red onions & capers
    6. Avocado “toast”: mashed avocado, boiled egg & Everything Bagel seasoning

    Ingredient notes

    • Rice Cakes: any rice cakes will work: white rice, brown rice or multigrain. Pick rice cakes that are fresh, firm and crisp.
    rice cake topped with almond butter and fresh berries and chia seeds.
    • Almond Butter: I buy mine at Trader Joe’s or Costco. Any kind of almond butter will work.
    • Fresh Berries: I used a mix of fresh raspberries and blueberries. Swap them for chopped strawberries and blackberries, if you want.
    • Chia Seeds: these are optional and add a great crunch and extra boost of plant-based omega-3’s!
    • Peanut Butter: my favorite peanut butter is Teddie’s all-natural creamy peanut butter without added sugar or oil.
    • Banana: for a classic banana + PB flavor combo. Slice it as thin or thick as you like!
    • Cinnamon: for an additional layer of flavor and antioxidants.
    rice cake topped with cottage cheese, tomato, cucumber, salt and pepper.
    • Cottage Cheese: a wonderful yet underrated source of protein. I like Good Culture.
    • Cucumber & Tomato: I used Persian (mini) cucumber and cherry tomato but full size slices are also fine. Sliced radish is another great topping for cottage cheese.
    • Salt & Pepper: to season.
    rice cake topped with hummus and sliced orange bell pepper and hemp hearts.
    • Hummus: use any hummus you like and have. I love classic homemade hummus but store bought is a great convenient alternative.
    • Bell Pepper: any color will work. I like red or orange better than green because they are sweeter.
    • Hemp Hearts: for some extra protein and fiber.
    rice cake topped with mashed avocado, smoked salmon, chopped red onion and capers.
    • Avocado: pick an avocado that’s fully ripe and soft to touch.
    • Smoked Salmon: Trader Joe’s sells a great small pack of smoked salmon with 3-4 slices. Perfect if you don’t want a lot of leftover salmon.
    • Capers & Red Onion: classic smoked salmon garnishes. If you have fresh dill, it’s also great in this flavor combo.
    rice cake topped with mashed avocado, soft boiled egg and Everything Bagel seasoning.
    • Avocado: to make an avocado toast rice cake variation that’s great for light breakfast, too.
    • Egg: I boil my egg for 7 minutes for a perfectly “gummy” egg that’s between soft-boiled and hard-boiled. You can also use poached, scrambled, fried, sunny side or sliced or grated hard-boiled egg. So many possibilities!
    • Everything Bagel seasoning: the best crunchy topping on avocado toast, in my opinion.

    How to make healthy rice cake snacks

    Making puffed rice cake open sandwiches is super quick and easy. You can make several of the same kind or a couple different ones.

    STEP 1: Spread nut butter, hummus, mashed avocado or cottage cheese on rice cakes. I recommend mashing the avocado with a fork in a small bowl before spreading it on the cake. Mashing it directly on a rice cake may cause the cake to break since it’s rather brittle.   

    making six rice cake snacks, before and after putting spreads on.

    STEP 2: Add the primary topping: berries on almon butter, banana on peanut butter, cucumber and tomato on cottage cheese, sliced pepper on hummus and boiled egg or smoked salmon on mashed avocado.

    STEP 3: Sprinkle with seeds or spices: chia seeds, hemp hearts, cinnamon, Everything Bagel seasoning, salt & pepper and red onion & capers on smoked salmon. You can add whatever “sprinkles” you like. Chia seeds and cinnamon will like on all sweet toppings while hemp hearts and Everything Bagel seasoning will go well on all savory ones.

    six rice cake snacks with toppings before and after adding sprinkles and spices on a teal baking sheet.

    What else goes well on rice cakes

    Much like with regular sandwiches, rice cake topping possibilities are endless. You can make them quick and simple, such as turkey and cheese or fancy and elegant, such as whipped feta and olive tapenade. Here are some more ideas to try:

    Savory:

    • Cream cheese, smoked salmon & Everything Bagel seasoning
    • Ricotta, sliced strawberries & chopped basil
    • Cottage cheese, fresh chopped herbs (chives, dill, parsley), salt & pepper
    • Egg salad & sliced radish
    • Tuna or chicken salad & lettuce or spinach
    • Cream cheese & red bell pepper
    • Sliced cheese, mustard & pickle

    Sweet:

    • Peanut butter & jelly
    • Ricotta, fresh blueberries & lemon zest
    • Nutella & berries or banana
    • Cottage cheese & fruit (strawberries, pineapple, kiwi)
    • Thick Greek yogurt & fruit

    More prep tips

    • If you are serving rice cake snacks to a crowd or kids, consider a topping bar. Serve rice cakes, spreads, cut up fruit, veggies and eggs separately and let everyone assemble their own “sandwiches”.
    • These are also great as a school or work lunch or snack. Just bring some dry rice cakes and toppings separately and assemble your snacks when ready to eat. Or, keep a bag of dry rice snacks and nut butter at work (if you’re able to) and just bring some fresh fruit.
    • Store leftover rice cakes in a closed plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature. Air will make them stale quickly.
    six different kinds of open face sandwiches on round rice cakes, sweet and savory.

    Recipe FAQs

    What are rice cakes?

    Rice cakes are puffed rice snacks formed into round cakes. They are very light, crunchy and they have a rather neutral flavor. Look for them near bread or chips at most grocery stores.

    Are rice cakes healthy?

    Yes, especially rice cakes made with brown rice or other grains. Those rice cakes are rich in fiber and minerals that come from whole grains. Because rice cakes are so light and airy, they are lower in calories than bread or crackers. Rice cakes topped with nut butter, cottage cheese or  avocado, like in this recipe, are definitely a healthy and nutritious snack.

    Can you make rice cake snacks ahead of time?

    No because they will become soggy. You can prep all the toppings ahead of time but don’t assemble the snacks until ready to serve!

    More healthy snacks

    • Healthy Peanut Butter Balls (Gluten-Free, No Oats)
    • Almond Butter Rice Krispies with Chocolate
    • Easy Flaxseed Pudding (Low-Carb, Paleo, Keto, Vegan)
    • Chocolate Bliss Balls (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free)

    If you try my Healthy Rice Cake Snacks, be sure to leave me a comment and give this recipe a rating. I would love to hear from you and see how it turned out for you! You can also share and tag me on Instagram!

    This post contains affiliate links.

    Recipe

    six rice cake snacks with various toppings.

    Healthy Rice Cake Snacks

    If you are looking for healthy puffed rice cake toppings, here are six easy and nutritious healthy rice cake snack ideas to try. Some are sweet, some savory but all will make that 3PM snack craving fun and delicious.
    5 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: healthy rice cake toppings, rice cake breakfast, rice cake ideas
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 160kcal
    Author: Agnieszka

    Ingredients

    • 6 puffed rice cakes

    Almond Butter & Berries

    • 1 tablespoon almond butter
    • ¼ cup berries blueberries and raspberries
    • pinch chia seeds optional

    Peanut Butter & Banana

    • 1 tablespoon peanut butter I like Teddie's smooth PB
    • ½ small banana
    • a pinch of ground cinnamon

    Cottage Cheese, Cucumber & Tomato

    • 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
    • ⅓ mini cucumber sliced
    • 1-2 cherry tomatoes sliced
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Hummus & Pepper

    • 1 tablespoon hummus
    • ¼ orange bell pepper sliced into strips
    • pinch Hemp hearts optional

    Avocado & Smoked Salmon

    • ½ small avocado mashed
    • 1 slice smoked salmon whole or cut into pieces
    • 1 teaspoon capers drained and roughly chopped
    • 1 teaspoon red onion minced

    Avocado & Egg

    • ½ small avocado mashed
    • 1 egg soft or hard boiled
    • sprinkle Everything Bagel seasoning

    Instructions

    Almond Butter & Berries

    • Spread almond butter onto the rice cake, top with fresh blueberries and raspberries and sprinkle with chia seeds.

    Peanut Butter & Banana

    • Spread peanut butter onto the rice cake, top with fresh banana slices and sprinkle with cinnamon.

    Cottage Cheese, Cucumber & Tomato

    • Place cottage cheese on the rice cake and spread evenly using the back of a spoon. Top with tomato and cucumber slices and season with salt and pepper.

    Hummus & Pepper

    • Spread your favorite hummus onto the rice cake, top with sliced bell pepper (any color) and sprinkle with hemp hearts.

    Avocado & Smoked Salmon

    • Mash avocado in a small bowl, then spread onto the rice cake. Place sliced smoked salmon on top (I like to cut it into smaller pieces so it's easier to eat), then sprinkle with chopped red onion and capers, if desired.

    Avocado & Egg

    • Boil an egg to your preference (I like boiling my for 7 minutes for a gummy yolk), transfer to a bowl with icy cold water to cool. Mash avocado in a small bowl, then spread onto the rice cake. Top with sliced egg and sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning.
    • Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Notes

    My favorite rice cakes' brands are Lundberg and Quaker. Most grocery stores carries both. I like brown rice or multigrain cakes for some extra fiber. 
    You can prep toppings ahead of time but don't assemble the rice cake snacks until ready to serve or they'll become soggy.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 329mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 290IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

    You may also like

    • Oat Milk Chia Pudding
    • Boba Smoothie (3 Flavors)
    • Spinach Cucumber Smoothie
    • 2 Banana Muffin Recipe

    Meet the Author

    Hi, I'm Agnieszka. I'm a mom of three and recipe developer, writer and photographer behind Wholly Tasteful. I love creating comforting, delicious, family-friendly recipes that you can feel good about.

    Learn more about me →

    More Breakfast

    • Smoothie Bowl Without Banana
    • Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal
    • Biscuits Without Milk
    • Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily Woodward

      April 20, 2022 at 12:09 am

      5 stars
      I always forgot how great rice cakes are. My favorite one is the almond and berry recipe.

      Reply
    2. Jan

      April 20, 2022 at 2:19 am

      such great ideas for rice cakes. Sometimes I get stuck with just vegemite. I love the PB and banana combination. Always a winner!

      Reply
    3. Marcellina

      April 20, 2022 at 2:38 am

      5 stars
      Thanks for all the variations and new ideas to top my puffed rice cakes! I particularly like the avocado and smoked salmon.

      Reply
    4. Boguslawa

      April 21, 2022 at 4:31 am

      5 stars
      Healthy and delicious🤗

      Reply
    5. Natalie

      April 21, 2022 at 1:25 pm

      5 stars
      I love rice cakes. People usually dislike them but not me... I will have to give your ideas a try. Hummus on rice cake sounds great!

      Reply
    6. Nora

      April 21, 2022 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      These snacks are just the thing for my daughter! She loves rice cake sandwiches! Thanks for the great ideas!

      Reply
    7. nancy

      April 21, 2022 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      great GF options for a snack. i haven't had a rice cake in forever!!

      Reply
    8. Jean

      April 21, 2022 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      enjoyed making these rice cakes, especially with banana, peanut butter and cinnamon. also made with mango toppings.

      Reply
    9. Keri

      April 22, 2022 at 6:05 am

      5 stars
      This was exactly what I was looking for. I love to eat rice cakes, but can never think of creative toppings. Thank you!

      Reply
    10. Marcellina

      May 16, 2022 at 2:38 am

      5 stars
      Yum! These are such delicious toppings! Can't wait to try them all!

      Reply
    11. Stine Mari

      May 16, 2022 at 3:07 am

      5 stars
      So many yummy rice cake snacks I wouldn't know where to begin!

      Reply
    12. Donna

      May 16, 2022 at 3:29 am

      5 stars
      These have been a lifesaver on busy afternoons after school. We had fallen into a snack rut, so this has been a lovely change of pace.

      Reply
    13. Alexandra

      May 16, 2022 at 4:17 am

      5 stars
      So many delicious options to choose from!

      Reply
    14. Jean

      May 16, 2022 at 5:13 am

      5 stars
      love they are so filling and quick to make!

      Reply
    15. Tatiana

      May 16, 2022 at 9:15 am

      5 stars
      We make lots of these during the week for breakfast before school.

      Reply
    16. Jere Cassidy

      May 16, 2022 at 7:53 pm

      5 stars
      We always have rice cakes in the pantry, but literally, we just spread them with peanut butter which is getting boring. You gave me so many good ideas to make my snack tastier.

      Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    About me

    Hello and welcome to Wholly Tasteful, a healthy food and lifestyle blog! My name is Agnieszka and I am a busy mom of 3 living in and renovating a 1852 farmhouse in Maine. My recipes use ingredients that are healthy, whole and family friendly. More about me

    Healthy Baking

    25 Best Low-Calorie Banana Recipes

    Pierniczki (Polish Gingerbread Christmas Cookies)

    Apple Pie Baked Oatmeal

    a stack of biscuits without milk

    Biscuits Without Milk

    Never miss a recipe

    Sign up to receive free healthy recipes right to your inbox.

    Cozy Soups

    Roasted Pumpkin Cauliflower Soup

    Vegan Creamy Tomato Bean Soup

    Polish Cold Beet Soup (Chłodnik)

    Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Ham and Pancetta

    Footer

    • About
    • Disclaimer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Disclaimer & Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Wholly Tasteful