Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This snack is all about balance: the crunchy rice cake serves as the perfect base, the peanut butter adds rich creaminess and protein, and the banana provides natural sweetness and a boost of potassium. The optional sprinkle of cinnamon and drizzle of honey or maple syrup bring extra flavor to take it to the next level. It’s quick to make, customizable, and will keep you feeling satisfied for hours.
Ingredients
- 2 plain rice cakes (Choose your favorite brand; both brown rice or white rice work well. They provide the crunchy base.)
- 2–4 tablespoons peanut butter (Creamy or crunchy, natural or regular – use what you love! This adds protein and healthy fats.)
- 1 medium banana (Ripe but still firm is ideal, sliced into ¼-inch rounds. This brings natural sweetness and potassium.)
- Optional: Pinch of cinnamon (For a warm, spicy note that complements the other flavors.)
- Optional: Drizzle of honey or maple syrup (For a touch of extra sweetness, if desired.)
Directions
- Prepare the Base: Lay the two rice cakes flat on a plate or cutting board.
- Spread the Peanut Butter: Using a knife, evenly spread 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter onto the surface of each rice cake. Spread it all the way to the edges for maximum flavor in every bite.
- Slice the Banana: Peel the banana and slice it into rounds, about ¼-inch thick. You should have enough slices from one medium banana to cover both rice cakes.
- Arrange the Banana: Neatly arrange the banana slices on top of the peanut butter layer on each rice cake. You can overlap them slightly if needed to cover the entire surface.
- Add Optional Toppings (If Using):
- If using cinnamon, lightly sprinkle it over the banana slices.
- If using honey or maple syrup, give a light drizzle over the top.
- Serve Immediately: These rice cakes are best enjoyed fresh when the rice cake is still crisp and the banana is at its peak.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 2 rice cakes
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 5 minutes
Variations
- Nut Butter Swap: Feel free to swap peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or any other nut or seed butter you prefer.
- Add Nuts or Seeds: Top the rice cakes with chopped nuts (like almonds or walnuts) or chia seeds for extra crunch and nutrients.
- Add Chocolate: Drizzle some melted dark chocolate over the bananas for a sweet, indulgent twist.
- Fruit Variety: Swap the banana for other fruits like strawberries, apples, or blueberries for a different flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: These rice cakes are best enjoyed immediately. However, if you need to store them, keep the rice cakes, peanut butter, and banana slices separate in the fridge. Assemble when ready to eat to keep the rice cakes crisp.
- Reheating: These are meant to be enjoyed fresh, so no reheating is necessary.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of nut butter?
Yes! You can swap peanut butter for almond, cashew, or sunflower butter. Just keep in mind that each nut butter will give a slightly different flavor, but all will work well with the bananas.
How do I keep the rice cakes crispy?
Rice cakes tend to get soft if they sit too long with toppings. To keep them crispy, assemble them just before serving. If you need to store them, keep the toppings separate and assemble right before eating.
Can I use frozen bananas?
Frozen bananas will work, but they won’t be as firm as fresh bananas. They’ll create a creamier, more mushy texture, which can be delicious if you don’t mind the change in texture.
Can I make this snack ahead of time?
It’s best to assemble and eat the rice cakes fresh. However, you can prepare the peanut butter and slice the banana ahead of time and store them separately. Assemble just before eating to maintain the crispiness of the rice cakes.
Conclusion
Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter and Banana is a quick, nutritious, and delicious snack that’s perfect for any time of the day. With its perfect combination of protein, healthy fats, and natural sweetness, it’s a snack that’s both satisfying and energizing. Customize it with your favorite toppings and enjoy it as a snack, breakfast, or even a post-workout treat!
Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter and Banana
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 rice cakes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter and Banana is a quick, nutritious snack featuring a crunchy rice cake base, creamy peanut butter, and sweet banana slices. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or post-workout fuel.
Ingredients
2 plain rice cakes
2–4 tablespoons peanut butter
1 medium banana, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
Optional: pinch of cinnamon
Optional: drizzle of honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- Place rice cakes flat on a plate or cutting board.
- Spread 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter onto each rice cake, covering the surface.
- Slice the banana into ¼-inch rounds and arrange them on top of the peanut butter.
- If using, sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
Store rice cakes, peanut butter, and banana slices separately to maintain the crispiness of the rice cakes.
Assemble right before eating to avoid the rice cakes becoming soggy.
Customize with your favorite nut butters or fruit toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 rice cake
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
