Are Rice Cakes Gluten-Free?
Are Rice Cakes Gluten-free? It’s snack time and your tummy is rumbling. You walk to the pantry in search of something… will it be sweet or savory?
A little crunch sounds good. But you don’t want another bag of chips or more pretzels. You want something different, a new taste, something creative. If you’re ready for a flavorful, tasty, gluten-free, snack-able adventure, read on!
We’re diving into if Rice Cakes are gluten-free…
What is a Rice Cake?
Before we talk about if Rice Cakes are gluten-free, it’s helpful to understand what rice cakes are. According to SeriousEats.com, Rice cakes are a traditional food in Asia. The typical ingredients include rice, sugar, and salt. Sometimes, beans or fruit are added to the mix.
The ingredients are pounded together into shapes (typically circles). When made in a basic way, they taste plain. However, they can have flavor added in the form of seasonings or additional ingredients.
Common additions include caramel, cinnamon, and cheese. They are sometimes served as an appetizer by themselves or are served topped with eggs, fruit, nut butter, etc. They have a crispy texture and are light. Rice cakes are sold prepackaged in stores across the United States.
Are All Rice Cakes Gluten-Free?
Commercially prepared rice cakes can be gluten-free but not always. Some brands choose to incorporate gluten-containing grains into their rice cakes. For example, barley or kamut (ancient wheat).
Some rice cake additives or flavors may not be gluten-free. For example, many rice cakes list “natural flavors” on the ingredients panel. This means one must proceed with caution because the rice cakes could contain gluten in these flavorings if the product is not marked gluten-free.
Malt flavoring, bits of gluten-containing candy, or other additions would also render the rice cakes no longer gluten-free. Fortunately, finding safe, delicious gluten-free rice cakes isn’t hard. Drizzlicious rice cakes are certified gluten-free. So, you can set your mind at ease and munch away!
Are Gluten-Free Rice Cakes Healthy?
Gluten-free rice cakes can absolutely be healthy. Drizzlicious gluten-free rice cakes are made of healthy ingredients. They are made with rice, flax, chia, and quinoa, which are all gluten-free, nutrient-packed grains!
They are all-natural and have only 90 calories per serving! They contain no cholesterol, MSG, trans fat, preservatives, or artificial flavors or colors. And they are “popped,” rather than fried, and thus, only have 3 grams of fat with just 1 gram of saturated fat.
This means that they are lower in fat than many crunchy snacks, such as fried potato chips. They clock in at about 5 grams of sugar, which is way lower than many snack cookies and cakes. They are fairly low in sodium compared to many snack foods, since they only have 100 mg of salt.
Various flavors offer other benefits. For example, the Cinnamon Swirl Bites contain real cinnamon, which has benefits including antioxidants and a positive impact on blood sugar levels.
While Drizzlicious rice cakes are a good choice by themselves, they can also be part of an awesomely balanced and satisfying snack! You could pair them with a protein, such as nuts, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, or a cheese stick to give your snack some staying power. Or, add some fiber with a side of fresh berries!
How to Enjoy Gluten-Free Rice Cakes
Not all gluten-free rice cakes are created equal. Yes, you can totally enjoy a plain rice cake with some home-prepared toppings. But why would you when you can choose from the delicious selection of Drizzlicious rice cakes!?
Between Birthday Cake, Cinnamon Swirl, S’Mores, and Salted Caramel, there are many flavors to enjoy. Simply grab a bowl and munch while you watch your favorite movie.
Or you could host an indoor “cookout” on a rainy day and serve up some S’mores rice cakes! You could break them up over ice cream or serve them as a topping for your next Ice Cream Sundae bar.
You can even customize them! What about dipping the Salted Caramel ones into chocolate hummus or melted chocolate for a salted caramel chocolate combo! The Cinnamon Swirl ones would be delicious crumbled and used to make gluten-free Rice Krispie treats.
Make a snack mix for on the go with Birthday Cake rice cakes, cashews, raisins, and peanuts. The possibilities are endless as you enjoy gluten-free Drizzlicious rice cakes!
