Anyone who wants to offer toppings
A plain rice cake can be a base for sweet or savoury toppings. You can choose exactly what to put on the table, but preparing the toppings takes a little planning.
Who are these snacks for?
Anyone who wants to serve something sweet straight away
A coated rice cake or digestive biscuit does not need to be topped first. When choosing, consider the difference between a rice cake and a biscuit, as well as the flavour of the product.
Anyone who needs to check the label
If someone has an allergy or follows a specific diet, the ingredients, allergens and any claims for the exact flavour and product are what matter. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of clear allergen information on prepacked foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to add the toppings yourself or put out something ready to eat. Then check the information that matters to your guests on the rice cake or biscuit you choose.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Adding your own toppings | Choose a plain or wholegrain variety that goes with the toppings you want to serve. Read the ingredients on the rice cake you choose. | If I want guests to choose their own sweet or savoury toppings, I’m looking for a simple base to put out; adding your own toppings is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Serving something sweet straight away | Check whether you’re choosing a coated rice cake or a digestive biscuit, and compare the ingredients and nutrition information on each pack. | If you want to put out a sweet snack without any preparation, you can choose a coated rice cake or biscuit; convenience comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Labels and dietary requirements | Check the allergens, ingredients and any gluten-free or vegan claim on the exact product. | If I’m catering for an allergy or a specific diet, I want to be able to read the label for that exact flavour; this check is the deciding factor for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing and storing
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Assuming coated rice cakes are the same as plain ones
A coating is part of the product and may add different ingredients and allergens. PLUS lists rice, water and 0.3% sea salt in its plain rice cakes; ALDI sells separate varieties with yoghurt or chocolate coatings.
Compare the ingredients and nutrition information on the packs you’re actually planning to buy.
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Assuming a claim for one variety applies to all rice cakes
ALDI describes its Goud Gebakken rice cakes with sea salt as gluten-free and vegan. That does not apply to other flavours or brands.
If you’re catering for an allergy or a specific diet, check the current label for the exact product, including its allergen information.
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Leaving an opened pack out
PLUS and Jumbo recommend storing rice cakes in a cool, dry place. For its plain rice cakes, PLUS recommends transferring them to an airtight container after opening.
Open the pack just before serving and seal any leftover rice cakes carefully after use.
Brands to consider
These brands offer examples of rice cakes, biscuits and similar snacks; the features available vary by product and variety.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers, among other things, plain rice cakes, thick rice cakes and coated varieties, as well as AH Digestive.
- You can compare rice cake varieties and a digestive biscuit as separate product options.
- Albert Heijn says that ingredient, nutrition and allergen information may change. Check the pack of the product you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other things, plain rice cakes and thick wholegrain rice cakes.
- These varieties give you a choice between a simple rice cake and a wholegrain option.
- Claims on a product page apply to that specific variety, not automatically to the entire range.
PLUS
PLUS Rijstwafels Naturel is an example of a simple variety: its product page lists rice, water and 0.3% sea salt as ingredients.
- These ingredients make it easier to compare this option with a coated variety or one with other additions.
- PLUS says that product information may change, so check the current label too.
ALDI
ALDI offers Goud Gebakken rice cakes with sea salt, as well as separate rice cakes with yoghurt or chocolate coatings.
- You can compare the sea salt variety and sweet, coated varieties as different snack options.
- ALDI uses the gluten-free and vegan descriptions for its specific sea salt variety. Check other varieties separately.
Lidl
Under the Sondey brand, Lidl describes a range that includes biscuits, cookies and rice cakes.
- The range offers different types of snacks to consider for the evening.
- Check the label on the specific product for ingredients, nutrition information and any dietary claims.
Snacks for Sinterklaas Eve at Joybuy
These products offer a few different options for your table: a chocolate-flavoured rice cake, digestive biscuits with or without a chocolate coating, and rice toast to top yourself. Rice toast is a separate product type, so check the size if you’re specifically looking for rice cakes.
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Snack a Jacks Rice wafers choc chip 166 g
A chocolate-flavoured rice cake to serve without separate toppings. If you have allergies, check the current packaging, particularly the information about sesame, milk and soya.
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McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate 266 g
A digestive biscuit covered in milk chocolate, for anyone who wants to serve a sweet biscuit. If you have allergies, check the label for ingredients including wheat, milk and soya.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate 266 g
A digestive biscuit with dark chocolate, ready to serve as a sweet biscuit. If you have allergies, check the label for ingredients including wheat, milk and soya.
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McVities Digestive Original 400 g
A digestive biscuit with no chocolate coating listed, for anyone who prefers to decide for themselves what to serve alongside it. If you have allergies, check the packaging for wheat and any mention of milk.
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Van Der Meulen Rice Toast Natural 65 g
Rice toast to top yourself, as an alternative if you don’t need a specific rice cake shape. Check the product size before buying and, if you have allergies, read the current label, particularly for sesame and soya.
Frequently asked questions
Can I rely on the name or flavour of a rice cake if I have an allergy?
No. Check the label of the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergen information on prepacked foods must be clear; also read any warnings about cross-contamination.
Are all rice cakes gluten-free and vegan?
No. Don’t assume these features apply just because a product is a rice cake. ALDI lists them for its Goud Gebakken rice cakes with sea salt, but you’ll need to check the label for other flavours or brands.
How should I store rice cakes after opening?
Keep them in a cool, dry place and seal the pack carefully. PLUS recommends transferring its plain rice cakes to an airtight container after opening.
Is online product information enough to choose a variety?
Use the online description to compare varieties, but also read the label on the pack you buy. PLUS says that product information, including ingredients and allergen information, may change.