Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Cakes are a crunchy, lightly sweetened whole-grain snack made from puffed brown rice with a cinnamon-apple coating. They work because the neutral, airy rice cake provides a sturdy base for the sweet, spiced topping, and they come ready-to-eat with no cooking required. This article shows you five genuinely useful ways to turn a simple rice cake into a quick breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Cake (or any brand of apple cinnamon rice cake)
- 1 tablespoon (15 g) creamy peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter
- 1/2 small apple, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup / 30 g)
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, for extra spice)
Instructions
- Place the rice cake on a small plate.
- Spread the peanut butter evenly over the top of the rice cake, covering the entire surface.
- Arrange the apple slices on top of the peanut butter, pressing down gently so they stick.
- Drizzle with honey or maple syrup if using, and sprinkle with cinnamon if desired.
- Serve immediately, while the rice cake is still crisp.
Tips
- Keep it crunchy: Rice cakes soften quickly once they come into contact with moist toppings. Add wet ingredients like yogurt or fruit right before serving, and never store an assembled rice cake.
- Substitute the spread: If you have a nut allergy, use sunflower seed butter or cream cheese. Sunflower seed butter will make the flavor slightly more savory; cream cheese adds a tangy note.
- Choose the right rice cake: Quaker makes plain, lightly salted, and apple cinnamon varieties. For this recipe, the apple cinnamon version adds extra sweetness, but plain works if you prefer less sugar.
- Slice apples thin: Thick apple slices will slide off the rice cake. Aim for slices about 1/8 inch (3 mm) thick.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these rice cakes as a mid-morning snack with a glass of milk or a cup of tea. They also work well as a light dessert after lunch, or as a pre-workout bite when you need quick energy. For a more filling meal, stack two rice cakes with a layer of sliced banana and a drizzle of almond butter in between.
Variations
- Yogurt and Berry: Spread 2 tablespoons (30 g) of Greek yogurt on the rice cake and top with fresh blueberries or raspberries. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Melt 1 tablespoon (15 g) of dark chocolate chips in the microwave for 20 seconds and drizzle over the peanut butter–topped rice cake. Let set for 1 minute before eating.
- Savory Twist: Skip the sweet toppings and spread the rice cake with 1 tablespoon (15 g) of hummus, then top with thin cucumber slices and a pinch of smoked paprika.
- Trail Mix Crunch: After spreading the nut butter, press a mixture of chopped dates, unsweetened coconut flakes, and pumpkin seeds into the surface.
Storage and Reheating
Assembled rice cakes do not store well—they become soggy within 10 minutes. If you need to prep ahead, keep the rice cakes in their original packaging at room temperature for up to 2 weeks (check the best-by date). Store the nut butter and apple slices separately in the refrigerator; apple slices will keep for 3–4 days in an airtight container, but they will brown. To refresh a stale rice cake, place it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 2–3 minutes, but watch it closely—it can burn quickly. Do not microwave rice cakes; they become chewy and tough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Cakes gluten-free? Yes, Quaker states that their rice cakes are gluten-free, but always check the package label because manufacturing processes can change.
Can I use a different brand of rice cake? Absolutely. Any apple cinnamon rice cake will work. If you use a plain rice cake, add a pinch of cinnamon and a drop of vanilla extract to the nut butter for a similar flavor.
How many calories are in one rice cake? A single Quaker Apple Cinnamon Rice Cake has about 50 calories. The total calories of your snack will depend on the toppings you add.
Can I make this recipe vegan? Yes, simply use a plant-based nut butter and maple syrup instead of honey. The rice cakes themselves are vegan.
Why do my rice cakes get soft so fast? Rice cakes are porous and absorb moisture from toppings like yogurt, fruit, or even humid air. To keep them crisp, add wet toppings only at the last minute and eat immediately.
Can I toast rice cakes? Yes, you can toast them in a toaster oven or under a broiler for 1–2 minutes per side. This makes them extra crunchy, but they will still soften once you add toppings.
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