Households looking for a versatile staple
A plain rice cake can be served on its own with coffee or topped with something sweet or savoury. If you’re buying a roll to enjoy over several occasions, check the pack size and storage instructions.
Who are these options for?
Coffee drinkers looking for something sweet
A chocolate- or yoghurt-coated rice cake is a different option from a plain one with toppings. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for your chosen variety, too.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values vary between varieties. A vegan or gluten-free label on one pack doesn’t automatically apply to other rice cakes.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’ll mainly use your rice cakes as a versatile staple, a sweet snack or for individual eating occasions. Then compare the pack and label of the variety that suits your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Versatile staple | Compare the net weight and the number of rice cakes or portions. Choose between plain and thicker varieties based on how you plan to eat them. | When several people are dipping into the biscuit tin, I want to have enough rice cakes at home that also work with toppings. This kind of versatile staple is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the exact pack for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values, such as sugars, salt and fibre per 100 g. | If I need to watch ingredients or allergens, I don’t want to rely on the flavour name alone. Around 30% of consumers give this label information top priority. |
| Sweet flavour | Check whether the rice cake has a chocolate or yoghurt coating, and compare the ingredients and nutritional information for that variety. | With my coffee, I want to be able to grab something sweet without adding toppings first. This is the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Check whether you’re buying a single roll or individual portions, and follow the storage instructions after opening. | If the rice cakes will be eaten at different times, I don’t want to open everything at once. Around 10% of consumers prioritise portioning and storage. |
Common mistakes
-
Treating ‘bulk pack’ as a standard size
Jumbo’s bulk-buy category includes different types and weights. So the category name doesn’t tell you how many rice cakes a pack will provide for your household.
Compare the net weight and the number of rice cakes or individual portions before choosing a pack for your stock cupboard.
-
Assuming all rice cake varieties are interchangeable
Plain, multigrain, sea salt and coated rice cakes can have different ingredients and nutritional values. You can’t compare a thicker rice cake with a plain roll based on the name alone, either.
Read the ingredients list and nutrition table for the specific variety you’re considering.
-
Skipping the allergen label on plain rice cakes
Even a simple-looking plain variety may carry a warning about possible allergens. For example, Jumbo states that its plain rice cakes may contain sesame and soya.
Check the current allergen information on every pack you choose, even if you’ve bought the same flavour before.
-
Opening more rolls than you’ll use at once
If you’re keeping a supply in the biscuit tin, remember to store the rice cakes properly once opened. PLUS recommends keeping its plain roll in an airtight container.
Choose packaging that suits how you’ll use the rice cakes and follow the storage instructions on the label.
Brands to consider
These brands offer examples of different types of rice cakes. The details below apply to the varieties mentioned, not every product from each brand.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range includes plain, thick and coated rice cakes.
- The AH plain variety mentioned comes in a 130 g pack; coated varieties are also available in 150 g packs.
- Compare the pack size and label for each variety: a coated rice cake doesn’t have the same ingredients as a plain one.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers several rice cake varieties, as well as an online bulk-buy category.
- Jumbo Plain Rice Cakes, 130 g, list brown rice as an ingredient.
- The bulk-buy category includes different weights and types of product, so check the size of the pack you choose.
PLUS
PLUS offers plain rice cakes, as well as thicker multigrain and coated varieties.
- For its 130 g plain roll, PLUS recommends storing the rice cakes in an airtight container after opening.
- Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
Goud Gebakken
ALDI sells sea salt rice cakes under the Goud Gebakken brand.
- For this specific 130 g pack, ALDI lists 17 rice cakes and the vegan and gluten-free labels.
- Those labels don’t automatically apply to other Goud Gebakken varieties or to rice cakes in general.
Sondey
Lidl lists rice cakes among the biscuits and snacks in its Sondey range.
- The brand may be worth looking out for if you’re shopping for rice cakes.
- Check the type, pack size and ingredients on the specific pack you’re considering.
Rice cakes for a sweet coffee break
This product pick is for anyone looking for a chocolate-flavoured rice cake to enjoy with coffee, rather than a plain cake to add toppings to.
No image available
Snack a Jacks chocolate chip rice cakes 166 g
A good choice if you’re looking for a chocolate-flavoured rice cake to have with your coffee. The pack contains 166 g; check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a pack of rice cakes suitable for a family stock-up?
Check whether the pack size and portioning suit the number of occasions your household will eat them, rather than relying on the ‘bulk pack’ label alone. Jumbo’s category with that name includes products in a range of weights and varieties.
How should I store an opened roll of rice cakes?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. PLUS recommends storing its plain roll in a cool, dry place and using an airtight container after opening.
Should I check allergens in plain rice cakes, too?
Yes. Check the allergen information on the specific pack, even for plain rice cakes. Jumbo states that its plain variety may contain sesame and soya.
Are all rice cakes vegan and gluten-free?
No. Don’t assume these qualities based on the product category. ALDI labels its specific Goud Gebakken sea salt variety as vegan and gluten-free; for other varieties, check the labels and ingredients on the packaging.