How to Make Perfect Rice Cakes: A Step-by-Step Guide

For years, rice cakes have been an indispensable ingredient in kitchens all over the world; lately, however, they have gained a far larger following as a healthier alternative to most snack foods. Be it for a light snack or a good ingenious method for leftover rice, rice cakes are deliciously palatable and quite versatile.

At FreshCookRecipes, we pride ourselves on making cooking exciting and approachable, and that includes rice cakes! In this blog post, we will take you through all that you should know while making rice cakes from scratch, from choosing the best ingredients to achieving that just perfect crispy feel.

Let’s dive in and learn how to make rice cakes that are both delicious and healthy!

Why Rice Cakes?

Rice cakes tend to be a somewhat plain and uninteresting type of snack; however, they boast several merits that keep them well in front of the pack concerning health and low calorie count. Whether plain as a snack or loaded up to make a full meal with whatever topping you like, rice cakes are truly versatile. Following are some of the more popular reasons rice cakes should be included in your snacking repertoire:

Low calorie: It has about 35 to 50 calories in one rice cake, hence a very good option for those who want to decrease their calorie consumption without sacrificing good taste.
Gluten-free: Rice cakes are naturally gluten-free. It is a great option for gluten-intolerant people or those who are on a gluten-free diet.
High in fiber: Rice cakes are made with brown rice or other types of whole grains, hence fiber in it will give way to good digestive health and keep you for longer periods of time.
Topping variety: Rice cake has the potential to host a wide range of toppings in order to create savory or sweet snacks that can be tailor-made to suit every whim.

The beauty of rice cakes is that they are so incredibly easy to make and the ingredients are probably ones you have sitting around your kitchen. Below are the ingredients for making basic homemade rice cakes to which you can easily add your favorite flavors.

Basic Ingredients:

1 cup of cooked rice : Any rice will do, but if you want really great results, then use rice varieties that are a little sticky, like sushi rice, jasmine rice, or for a nutritional boost, brown rice.
1 tbsp of olive oil : Or use coconut oil or even butter to your liking for flavor and dietary needs.
Salt to taste: For seasoning
Spices to taste- Optional: Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, or any spices you like for flavor.

Optional Add-ins:

Herbs chopped up: Fresh parsley, basil, or cilantro stir in for flavor and color with the rice.
Seeds or nuts: Chia seeds, sesame seeds, or crushed almonds add more crunch.
Dried fruit: If you want a sweet version, you can add raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dried apricots.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Rice Cakes

Making rice cakes from scratch is pretty much an effortless process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make crispy and delicious rice cakes in the comfort of your home.

Step 1: Cook the Rice

In an effort to make rice cakes, first cook 1 cup of rice. Depending on the type, cooking times will be different for

White rice: This takes about 15–20 minutes to cook, generally.
Brown rice: About 30–40 minutes will be required.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the rice package. If you are using leftover rice, this recipe works perfect for utilizing rice that is already cooked and cooled. Cold rice helps the cakes hold together better.

After cooking the rice, with a fork, fluff it to avoid clumps, and let cool for a few minutes.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

Transfer the rice into a large mixing bowl after it has cooled a bit. Now add your oil-be that olive oil, coconut oil, or even butter. Mix with the rice until the grains are well coated. Add a pinch of salt to taste. Get inventive-add the flavorings of your desire:. Others that are great, more savory, include garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, or even a sprinkle of cumin. If you like a little sweet with your savory, you can add in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Stir in any of the optional herbs, seeds, or chopped nuts into the rice mixture now, if using.

Step 3: Shape the Rice Cake

Shape the rice cakes by scooping small portions of the rice mixture and form them into compact patties by hand or with the help of a spoon. Just press compactly, so the rice would hold onto itself when cooked.

The size of each rice cake is left to your discretion, but they generally work best if they are about 3–4 inches in diameter. That said, the important thing is that they be dense enough to hold together while cooking.

Step 4: Cooking the Rice Cake

Heat a non-stick pan or skillet over medium heat. Add a few drops of oil in the hot pan to avoid sticking of rice cakes. Put the rice cakes in this pan, keeping distance between them so that they may cook evenly.

Cook each rice cake about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they become golden brown and crispy. You may use a spatula and slightly press down the rice cakes while they cook to ensure that they crisp up evenly.

Patience is a virtue in this stage, and you don’t want to rush things. Let them get crispy outside, yet soft and tender inside.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Once both sides of the rice cakes are golden and crispy, remove them from the pan onto a plate or a cooling rack to cool down. This helps them firm up even more.

Serve immediately, or store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. If you have leftover rice cakes, they easily reheat in either the oven or the microwave, though they are crispiest freshly made.

Creative Toppings and Serving Suggestions

Now that you know how to make basic rice cakes, let’s talk about delicious ways you can top them. Rice cakes are an excellent base, whether for savory or sweet toppings. Here are some of our favorite ways we enjoy them:

Savory Rice Cake :

Avocado Rice Cakes: Slather mashed avocado on your rice cakes, then sprinkle with sliced cherry tomatoes, a sprinkle of sea salt, and drizzle with olive oil. For an added kick, sprinkle some red chili flakes or top with a few slices of jalapeño.
Tuna Salad Rice Cake : On your rice cakes, plant a dollop of tuna salad made with canned tuna, mayo, diced onions, and a little lemon juice. Garnish fresh with parsley or dill.
Rice Cake “Pizza”: Spread marinara sauce over a rice cake, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese, and add your preferred pizza toppings-e.g., olives, mushrooms, peppers. Heat in the oven or microwave until the cheese melts.
Egg and Rice Cake: This is satisfying to start the day. Simply fry an egg and place it on top of your rice cake. Have a side of sautéed spinach or fresh salsa to go along with it.

Sweet Rice Cakes:

Peanut Butter and Banana Rice Cake : Slather your rice cake with peanut butter-or almond butter-add sliced bananas on top, and finish with a drizzle of honey. Sweet treat packed with protein and healthy fats.
Greek Yogurt Parfait Rice Cake : Layer crumbled rice cakes with Greek yogurt, fresh berries, and a drizzle of maple syrup for a healthy parfait. Great for breakfast or dessert.
Cinnamon Sugar Rice Cakes: Sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar on your rice cakes after cooking for an easy sweet snack. This sweetness from the sugar with warmth from cinnamon is just too hard to resist.
Nut Butter and Dried Fruit: Take some rice cake and spread the almond or cashew nut butter on it. You can top this with dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, or apricots. You can also sprinkle some chia seeds or granola to give it a texture.

Tips for Perfect Rice Cakes Every Time

Use slightly sticky rice: Your rice should be a little sticky for better texture to help the cakes stick together. In this case, sushi rice or jasmine rice may be used.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cook rice cakes so each of them has space between to allow turning crispy all over.
Storage tips: Store rice cakes in the fridge for 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheat them in the oven or on the stove to retain their crispiness.
Get creative: Do not be afraid to try the rice cake with different spices, herbs, and toppings. Your options are endless!

Conclusion: Rice Cake Made Easy

Now that you have learned how to prepare rice cakes, enjoy these crunchy treats whenever the fancy strikes! It doesn’t matter whether you will eat them right out of your hand or top them with delicious toppings because rice cakes are a quick and healthy way to fill your stomach without extra calories.

For more mouthwatering recipes, ideas, and tips, browse **FreshCookRecipes.com