Families looking for a versatile snack base
A roll of plain rice cakes is handy to keep in the cupboard for a mid-morning snack, with or without toppings. Think about how many rolls you need and how to store an opened roll.
Who are rice cakes for as a cupboard staple?
Shoppers comparing labels
If you’re choosing between plain, organic, salted and coated varieties, the ingredients list and nutritional information for the exact product are more useful than the front of the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking beyond the front of the packaging.
Parents who like to vary their children’s snacks
Keeping rice cakes in the cupboard doesn’t mean they have to become an everyday snack. As a precaution, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children rice or rice products every day.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want the cakes mainly as a plain base for toppings or as a snack to eat on their own. Then check how many individual rolls you’re buying and compare the labels of the varieties that suit your household.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and pack weight | Check the number of individual rolls, the total weight and the price per kilo. A description such as ‘value pack’ doesn’t tell you how many rolls you’ll get. | I want to keep rice cakes at home for several snacks without mistaking a single roll for a multipack. For around 40% of shoppers, having enough in stock is the main priority. |
| Ingredients and nutrition | Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety, including salt, sugars, fat and fibre. Check any organic claims on the packaging itself. | If I’m considering plain and coated cakes, I want to know what they contain besides rice. Around 30% of shoppers give this question of composition the highest priority. |
| Variety for children | Think about how rice cakes fit in alongside other snacks. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children rice products every day. | I want to be able to vary my child’s snacks, even when we have rice cakes in stock. For around 20% of shoppers, this is the main consideration. |
| Flavour and convenience | Choose a plain variety if you might add toppings, or a flavoured one if you want to eat it on its own. For the latter, also compare the label and pack weight. | I’m looking for something I can serve without any preparation, so I choose a flavour deliberately. Around 10% of shoppers put convenience first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a value pack contains several rolls
Jumbo lists a 130 g plain rice cake product in its value pack category. That category label doesn’t tell you how many individual rolls you’re buying.
Before stocking up for your family, check the product page or packaging for the number of rolls and the total weight.
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Comparing plain and coated varieties as if they were the same
A coating or added flavour changes the ingredients and nutritional values you’re comparing. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking beyond the front of the pack when choosing snacks.
Read the ingredients list and nutritional information for each exact variety, especially when comparing plain cakes with chocolate- or yoghurt-coated ones.
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Giving children rice cakes from a large stock every day
As a precaution, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children rice or rice products, including rice cakes, every day because rice products contain arsenic.
Include them as part of a varied selection of snacks, rather than automatically choosing rice cakes every day.
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Leaving an opened roll unsealed
For the plain rolls reviewed, Albert Heijn and PLUS provide storage instructions for after opening.
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your variety and, where indicated, use a sealed container or airtight tin.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
A supermarket own-brand option for anyone looking for plain rice cakes as a base for a snack.
- AH Rijstwafels naturel is a 130 g roll; the listed ingredients are brown rice and 0.2% sea salt.
- One 130 g roll isn’t the same as a confirmed multipack. Check how many rolls you need for the amount you want to keep in stock.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand option with a plain roll that also appears in Jumbo’s value pack category.
- The listed Jumbo Rijstwafels Naturel have a pack weight of 130 g.
- The category label doesn’t confirm that one order contains several rolls.
PLUS
A supermarket own-brand option for anyone comparing plain rolls and checking the storage instructions.
- PLUS Rijstwafels Naturel Per Rol has a listed pack weight of 130 g.
- PLUS recommends storing the roll in an airtight tin after opening.
Zonnatura
An organic plain variety for anyone who values this product feature.
- The Zonnatura Rijstwafels naturel listed by PLUS are organic and come in a 130 g pack.
- Check the number of rolls separately if you’re buying a supply for the family; organic status doesn’t tell you how the product is packaged.
Goud Gebakken
An option listed by ALDI for anyone looking for rice cakes with sea salt.
- ALDI lists the sea salt variety in a 130 g pack containing 17 pieces.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for this variety separately with those for plain rice cakes.
Sondey
Lidl includes Sondey in its range of biscuits and snacks, including rice cakes.
- Lidl lists separate rice cake varieties in different flavours and pack sizes.
- Check the brand, variety and label on the specific pack you’re considering; the general range description doesn’t give these details for each product.
Rice cakes on Joybuy
This is a caramel-flavoured rice cake for anyone looking for a snack without toppings. If you’re buying a supply for the family, compare the number of packs and the ingredients with the plain varieties you’re considering.
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Snack A Jacks Smooth Caramel Rice Waffles, 140 g
A caramel-flavoured rice cake for anyone looking for a snack without toppings.
Pack weight: 140 g. If you’re choosing a supply for the family, compare the number of packs and read the label when weighing up this flavoured variety against plain rice cakes.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 130 g roll of rice cakes automatically a family pack?
No. The weight of one roll doesn’t confirm that you’ll receive several rolls. Even if a product appears in a value pack category, you should check the number of individual packs and the total weight.
How should I store rice cakes after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the exact pack. PLUS recommends storing its plain roll in an airtight tin after opening; Albert Heijn says to keep its plain rice cakes in a sealed container.
Can I give children rice cakes every day?
As a precaution, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises against giving children rice or rice products, including rice cakes, every day because rice products contain arsenic. So, alternate rice cakes with other snacks.
Can I assess a coated rice cake in the same way as a plain one?
No. Compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each exact variety. A coating changes the composition, and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends looking beyond the front of a snack pack.