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A stack of crispy, golden rice cakes on a plate, ready to be enjoyed.

Rice Cakes: How to Make Perfect Rice Cakes


  • Author: Olivia
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 rice cakes 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These homemade rice cakes are the ultimate guilt-free snack—crunchy, airy, and customizable to your taste! Whether you enjoy them sweet or savory, they’re the perfect healthy treat for any time of the day. Easy to make, with minimal ingredients!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups cooked rice (preferably day-old rice for better texture)
  • 2 tbsp flour (all-purpose or rice flour for gluten-free)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp garlic powder (optional, for savory flavor)
  • Toppings (optional):
    • Sweet: Honey, fruit preserves, or nut butter
    • Savory: Avocado, cucumber, or cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the Rice

  • If you don’t have leftover rice, cook about 1 cup of uncooked rice and let it cool for at least 30 minutes.
  • For a fluffier texture, use cold, day-old rice—it’ll help the rice cakes hold together better.

2. Mix the Ingredients

  • In a bowl, combine cooked rice, flour, egg, olive oil, and salt.
  • Stir in garlic powder (optional) if you’re making savory rice cakes. The mixture should be thick enough to hold together but not dry.

3. Shape the Rice Cakes

  • Scoop out 1-2 tbsp of the mixture and roll into small balls, then flatten slightly to form cakes (about 2-3 inches in diameter).

4. Cook the Rice Cakes

  • Heat a pan over medium heat and add a small amount of oil (or cooking spray).
  • Once hot, place the rice cakes in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.

5. Serve & Enjoy

  • Serve your rice cakes with your favorite sweet or savory toppings.
  • They’re delicious warm or at room temperature!

Notes

For extra crunch, add sesame seeds or finely chopped nuts to the batter before cooking.
To make them vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water).
Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Pan-fried
  • Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 rice cake
  • Calories: 80
  • Sugar: 0g
  • Sodium: 140mg
  • Fat: 3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 12g
  • Fiber: 0.5g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: homemade rice cakes, easy rice cakes, crispy rice cakes, healthy snack