What do you eat with rice cake?,Rice cakes are a favorite snack for those watching their calories. They offer a crunchy texture unlike chips or crackers. But they’re more than just a snack. They become exciting when you add tasty toppings.
Looking for something savory or sweet? Rice cakes can be both. You can top them with nut butters, fruit preserves, savory spreads, or fresh veggies. The choices are endless, limited only by your creativity.
Key Takeaways
- Rice cakes offer a versatile canvas for a wide range of delicious and nutritious toppings.
- Both savory and sweet rice cake combinations can provide satisfying and healthy snack options.
- Topping rice cakes with protein, fiber, and healthy fats can create a more filling and nutrient-dense eating experience.
- Choosing the right rice cake brand and assembling the snacks just before eating can help maintain freshness and crunchiness.
- Using rice cakes as a substitute for bread can provide a low-calorie alternative for healthier snacks and small meals.
Introduction to Rice Cakes: A Low-Calorie, Crunchy Snack
Rice cakes were a hit in the 90s for being a low-calorie snack. They are made from compressed rice and offer a crunchy texture with few calories. This makes them great for those looking for low-calorie snacks. But, they don’t have many nutrients, so it’s best to add healthy toppings for a better snack.
The Rise of Rice Cakes in the 90s
In the 1990s, rice cakes became very popular. People wanted something crunchy but not too high in calories. This made rice cakes a favorite in many health-focused homes.
Nutritional Benefits and Drawbacks of Plain Rice Cakes
Plain rice cakes have about 35-40 calories each. But, they don’t have much protein, fiber, or vitamins. They are mostly carbs. This means they might not keep you full or give you the nutrients you need like other snacks do.
| Nutrient | Amount per Plain Rice Cake |
|---|---|
| Calories | 35-40 |
| Carbohydrates | 7.3 g |
| Protein | 0.7 g |
| Fiber | 0.4 g |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg |
| Niacin | 0.7 mg |
| Phosphorus | 32.4 mg |
| Magnesium | 11.8 mg |
| Selenium | 2.2 mcg |
To make rice cakes healthier, add protein, healthy fats, and fiber. Try nut butters, avocado, or hummus. This can help keep your blood sugar stable and make for a more satisfying snack.
What Do You Eat with Rice Cakes?
Rice cakes are great for many toppings. You can make them into a tasty snack or a light meal. There are endless ways to make rice cakes delicious and healthy.
Savory Rice Cake Toppings
For a savory treat, try creamy nut butters, tangy cottage cheese, or protein-rich yogurt. Caprese-style toppings like fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella cheese are also great. You can also go for white bean spread, tuna or chicken salad, or avocado toast.
Sweet Rice Cake Toppings
For something sweet, pair rice cakes with fresh fruit, jams, and honey. For a special treat, add whipped cream, chocolate-hazelnut spread, or caramel-flavored rice cakes. The options are endless for making tasty and healthy rice cake combos.
“Rice cakes are a versatile and nutritious base for a variety of toppings, making them an ideal snack or light meal option.”
Whether you like savory or sweet, there’s a rice cake topping for you. Try different flavors and textures to find your favorites.
Healthy and Satisfying Rice Cake Combos
Rice cakes are great for making tasty and healthy snacks or light meals. They can be paired with protein and fiber to make healthy rice cake combos. These combos will keep you full and energized.
Protein-Packed Toppings
Adding protein to your rice cake snacks can be easy and delicious. Here are some great options:
- Nut butters, such as almond or peanut butter
- Cottage cheese or Greek yogurt
- Tuna or chicken salad
- Hard-boiled eggs or egg salad
- Shredded chicken or turkey
Fiber-Rich Toppings
Adding fiber-rich rice cake toppings can balance your snack. Try these:
- Avocado slices or mash
- Hummus or white bean dip
- Fresh vegetables like sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, or shredded carrots
- Sautéed spinach or arugula
- Sliced fresh fruit, such as berries or banana
Mixing rice cakes with protein-packed and fiber-rich toppings makes a balanced and nutritious rice cake snack. It will keep you satisfied and energized all day.
Creative and Flavorful Rice Cake Pairings
Rice cakes are more than just a simple snack. They can be paired with many flavors to make them exciting. Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar Spread adds a tangy, buttery taste. Smucker’s Sweet Orange Marmalade with white cheddar rice cakes is a sweet and citrusy mix. There are countless ways to make rice cakes special with unique pairings.
Recent data shows the most used ingredients in creative rice cake recipes. These include:
- Peanut butter
- Fruit (especially strawberries, bananas, blueberries, and apples)
- Cream cheese
- Fresh herbs
- Nut butters
- Avocado
- Various seeds like sesame, chia, flax, and pumpkin
Cream cheese is a favorite, appearing in 5 out of 20 recipes. Nut butters like peanut butter and almond butter are used in 6 out of 20, showing their popularity for adding flavor.
Fresh fruit like bananas and strawberries are used in 4 out of 20 recipes. This shows they’re a favorite for adding sweetness. Fish toppings, especially salmon and shrimp, are in 3 out of 20, showing seafood’s appeal for savory pairings.
While rare, ganache is used in one recipe, showing chocolate’s place in rice cake pairings. Cheese is in 3 out of 20, proving its versatility in both sweet and savory dishes.
The world of rice cake pairings is vast and exciting. Whether you like savory or sweet, there’s a perfect combination waiting for you.
Tips for Choosing the Best Rice Cakes and Enjoying Them Fresh
Not all rice cakes are the same. Brands like Lundberg Farms and Quaker stand out. Lundberg rice cakes are known for their crunchy texture, perfect for toppings. Other brands might be too soft.
Lundberg vs. Quaker Rice Cakes
Choosing the right brand is key for a great rice cake snack. Lundberg rice cakes are a favorite for their strong texture and simple ingredients. Quaker rice cakes offer a variety of flavors, appealing to many.
Assembling Rice Cake Snacks Just Before Eating
Assemble your fresh rice cake snacks just before you eat them. Toppings can make rice cakes soft quickly. This way, you get a crunchy base and tasty toppings together.
| Nutrition Comparison | Lundberg Rice Cakes | Quaker Rice Cakes |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (per cake) | 35 calories | 40 calories |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 8g |
| Protein | 1g | 1g |
| Fiber | 1g | 0g |
| Sodium | 75mg | 105mg |
By choosing the right rice cakes and assembling them fresh, you get a snack that’s both tasty and healthy.
Conclusion
Rice cakes are a great choice for a low-calorie snack. They are versatile and can be turned into tasty, healthy treats. You can mix and match different toppings to create something new and exciting every time.
Adding protein-rich toppings like nut butters, lean meats, or plant-based options makes for a filling snack. You can also add fiber-rich toppings like fruits, veggies, or whole grain crackers. This way, you get all the nutrients you need in a fun and easy way.
Don’t be shy to try out new rice cake toppings. Whether you like savory or sweet, there’s always something new to discover. By being creative with rice cakes, you can make healthy snacks that are both delicious and good for you.
FAQ
What are some savory toppings for rice cakes?
For savory rice cake toppings, try nut butters, cottage cheese, or yogurt. You can also use caprese-style toppings like tomato, basil, and mozzarella. White bean spread, tuna or chicken salad, and avocado toast-inspired combos are great too.
What are some sweet toppings for rice cakes?
Sweet rice cake toppings include fresh fruit, jams, and honey. You can also use whipped cream or try chocolate and caramel-flavored rice cakes.
What makes a healthy and satisfying rice cake snack?
Healthy rice cake snacks start with a crunchy base. Add protein-rich toppings like nut butters, cottage cheese, or Greek yogurt. Tuna or chicken salad is also good. For fiber, try avocado, hummus, beans, and veggies.
What are some creative and unexpected rice cake pairings?
Rice cakes can be paired in many creative ways. Try them with Trader Joe’s Unexpected Cheddar Spread or Smucker’s Sweet Orange Marmalade. White cheddar rice cakes are a tasty choice.
How do I choose the best rice cakes and enjoy them fresh?
Popular brands like Lundberg Farms and Quaker offer great rice cakes. Lundberg is known for its crunchy texture. To keep rice cakes fresh, assemble toppings just before eating. This prevents them from getting soggy.