30-Minute Healthy Rice Cake
These no-bake rice cakes come in two delicious variations: Snickers-inspired or Strawberry Cheesecake. Each is quick, protein-packed, and fiber-rich, making them a healthy snack or dessert option. Perfect for meal prep or a last-minute treat, they’re easy to customize and ready in under 30 minutes.
Equipment
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 medium mixing bowl
- 1 microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
- 1 plate or tray for freezing
Ingredients
Snickers-Inspired Rice Cakes:
- 2 rice cakes any variety
- 3 tbsp creamy cashew butter or peanut butter
- 1 –2 tsp date syrup or maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ –1 tsp plant-based protein or collagen powder optional
- 2 –3 tbsp roughly chopped cashews or peanuts
- ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips melted
Pinch of flaked sea salt
- Finely chopped cashews or peanuts for garnish
- Strawberry Cheesecake Rice Cakes:
- 2 rice cakes any variety
- 2 –3 tbsp dairy-free cream cheese or regular cream cheese
- 1 –2 tsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ –1 tsp plant-based protein or collagen powder optional
- ¼ –1/3 cup fresh strawberries or mixed berries sliced
- Pinch of hemp seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Nut Butter Mixture: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add 3 tablespoons of creamy cashew butter (or peanut butter). Drizzle in 1–2 teaspoons of your preferred sweetener, such as date syrup or maple syrup, depending on your taste. Add ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract for a rich aroma. If desired, stir in ½–1 teaspoon of plant-based protein powder or collagen for an extra protein boost. Mix all ingredients thoroughly with a wooden spoon or spatula until smooth, creamy, and fully combined, ensuring there are no lumps in the mixture.
- Spread the Nut Layer on Rice Cakes: Take your rice cakes and place them on a clean plate or tray. Using a spoon or small spatula, evenly spread the prepared nut butter mixture across the top surface of each rice cake. Aim for a uniform layer about ¼ inch thick to ensure every bite has a balanced flavor.
- Sprinkle the Nuts: Roughly chop a small handful of cashews or peanuts. Sprinkle them generously over the nut butter layer, gently pressing them down to help them adhere. This adds a satisfying crunch and mimics the signature Snickers texture.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt ½ cup of dairy-free chocolate chips. If using a microwave, heat in 20–30 second increments, stirring each time to prevent burning. Continue until the chocolate is smooth, glossy, and fully melted.
- Coat the Rice Cakes with Chocolate: Using a spoon or small spatula, spread a layer of the melted chocolate evenly over each rice cake, covering the nut layer. Take care to smooth it out so the chocolate covers the nuts completely while leaving the rice cake edges visible.
- Add Finishing Touches: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaked sea salt over each chocolate-covered rice cake. Then, add finely chopped cashews or peanuts on top for extra crunch and visual appeal.
- Set the Chocolate: Place the rice cakes on a tray and transfer them to the freezer for 15–25 minutes. This will allow the chocolate to harden and the layers to set perfectly.
- Serve or Store: Once the chocolate is firm, the rice cakes are ready to enjoy. If not eating immediately, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add 3 tablespoons of creamy cashew butter (or peanut butter). Drizzle in 1–2 teaspoons of your preferred sweetener, such as date syrup or maple syrup, depending on your taste. Add ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract for a rich aroma. If desired, stir in ½–1 teaspoon of plant-based protein powder or collagen for an extra protein boost. Mix all ingredients thoroughly with a wooden spoon or spatula until smooth, creamy, and fully combined, ensuring there are no lumps in the mixture.
- Spread the Nut Layer on Rice Cakes: Take your rice cakes and place them on a clean plate or tray.Using a spoon or small spatula, evenly spread the prepared nut butter mixture across the top surface of each rice cake. Aim for a uniform layer about ¼ inch thick to ensure every bite has a balanced flavor.
- Sprinkle the Nuts: Roughly chop a small handful of cashews or peanuts. Sprinkle them generously over the nut butter layer, gently pressing them down to help them adhere. This adds a satisfying crunch and mimics the signature Snickers texture.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt ½ cup of dairy-free chocolate chips. If using a microwave, heat in 20–30 second increments, stirring each time to prevent burning. Continue until the chocolate is smooth, glossy, and fully melted.
- Coat the Rice Cakes with Chocolate: Using a spoon or small spatula, spread a layer of the melted chocolate evenly over each rice cake, covering the nut layer. Take care to smooth it out so the chocolate covers the nuts completely while leaving the rice cake edges visible.
- Add Finishing Touches: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaked sea salt over each chocolate-covered rice cake. Then, add finely chopped cashews or peanuts on top for extra crunch and visual appeal.
- Set the Chocolate: Place the rice cakes on a tray and transfer them to the freezer for 15–25 minutes. This will allow the chocolate to harden and the layers to set perfectly.
- Serve or Store: Once the chocolate is firm, the rice cakes are ready to enjoy. If not eating immediately, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use thin or standard rice cakes depending on your preference for crunch.
- Adjust the sweetness in both versions to your taste using maple syrup, date syrup, or another liquid sweetener.
- Nut butter can be swapped with sunflower seed butter or almond butter for allergy-friendly options.
- Protein powder is optional but adds a great nutritional boost for a snack or post-workout treat.
- For best results, freeze chocolate-coated rice cakes to fully set the chocolate before serving.
- Fresh berries in the cheesecake version should be eaten soon after assembling to prevent sogginess.
- Garnishes like flaked sea salt, chopped nuts, or hemp seeds not only add texture but enhance flavor contrast.
