Rice cakes are a common item in grocery stores, and anyone who has ever been on a low-fat or fad diet will be familiar with them.
How are rice cakes stored, though?
How to store rice cake
Keep rice cakes fresh by placing them in an airtight container. Note that rice cakes dry out if they are kept in a fridge. Rice cakes should be frozen if not consumed in a single day. Frozen rice cakes can be defrosted later by leaving them at room temperature overnight.
How to defrost rice cakes
Knowing how to store rice cake by freezing it is one thing, but defrosting it is another. To defrost rice cakes:
- With a steamer. Use the steamer for three to five minutes only.
- With a rice cooker. Use the rice cooker’s “Keep Warm Mode”. Keep going until the rice cakes are soft.
- Microwave. Use the microwave for between 30 seconds and one minute. One exception is injeolmi, which shouldn’t be defrosted using a microwave because it loses its texture completely.
- Alternatively, leave the pieces of frozen rice cake in cold water to thaw for about an hour. Afterward, transfer them into boiling water and cook them until they’re soft, which should only take something like five minutes.
- The best way to defrost rice cakes is at room temperature.
What are rice cakes anyway?
What is rice cake, and from what exactly are rice cakes made?
Rice cakes are usually made with puffed rice or rice flour made from either brown rice or white rice.
The ingredients are condensed and pressed together to make a thin, crispy “cake”.
Tips and tricks with rice cakes
What is the best way of storing uncooked rice cakes?
Rice cakes can become a little bit stale once they are opened.
Keep the cakes fresh by placing them in a container that’s airtight. Ensure the rice cakes stay dry and store them in a cool place like a pantry.
Do rice cakes actually expire?
Crisp up rice cakes that have become slightly stale by placing them in the microwave for 30 seconds per cake or for a minute if crisping batches of four or five cakes simultaneously.
Rice cakes can be kept fresh for up to 6 months, but they must be kept dry and cool.
Do rice cakes get moldy?
Rice cakes certainly can get mold if their container has been left open for a while and moisture gets in.
It’s unlikely that rice cakes will get mold in a new bag, but there may be variations in the color or texture of the cakes.
Do crispy mini rice cakes expire?
Unfortunately, mini rice cakes do expire. However, if kept in an unopened container somewhere where it’s dry and cool, they can last six to 12 months.
Why is there black stuff on my rice cakes?
These black spots are from the bran in cakes, and they can be safely consumed.
Don’t worry if the cake smells a bit like alcohol. It contains a small amount of culinary spirit to help ensure the rice cakes remain safe during transportation.
Are Korean rice cakes (tteokbokki) healthy?
Tteokbokki can be eaten without worrying about being unhealthy.
However, it is high in carbs and fats and should be enjoyed in moderation.
Why are my rice cakes falling apart?
Several factors can cause this, like how long the cakes have been in the freezer or the local climate.
How do you soften rice cakes?
Add the rice cakes to a medium bowl and cover them with water.
Allow them to soak for no longer than one hour.
They will not be soft yet, but they will soften when cooked.
How do you reheat Chinese rice cakes?
Heat the rice cakes in the microwave for two minutes or until they become soft and chewy.
To ensure they reheat evenly, I recommend turning the rice cakes halfway through.
Are rice cakes healthy?
Rice cakes are not healthy substitutes for nutritious foods because they have a low nutritional value due to difficulty digesting them.
Rice cake nutrition
Rice cakes do not contain many calories, but they don’t offer a whole bunch of other nutritional benefits.
Furthermore, certain brands of rice cake may contain a lot of added sugar or salt.
It’s important to carefully read the ingredient labels to avoid these unhealthy alternatives.
Are rice cakes healthy? Pros:
Gluten-free and lower-carb, lower-calorie alternative to bread
Rice cakes are a great substitute for bread, rolls, and wraps for those who want to eat a low-carb diet.
They are airier than puffed rice and don’t contain energy-dense flour.
This means they have a lower carbohydrate and calorie count than similar snacks, so they can satisfy carb cravings without adding too many calories to your diet.
They are also naturally gluten-free, except when made with wheat, barley flour, or rye flour. Rice is a cereal that does not contain gluten.
Whole grains can be provided
Rice cakes have a lower fiber content than other whole-grain crackers and crispbread.
As such, they are a good source of fiber if eaten in small quantities, especially those made with whole grains such as brown rice and seeds.
Whole grain rice cakes provide small-to-moderate amounts of essential nutrients such as manganese, vitamin B vitamins like selenium and niacin.
These nutrients have many benefits, including maintaining healthy energy, healthy blood sugar levels, bone health, and supporting a strong immune system.
Convenient and versatile
Rice cakes don’t have any flavor, so they can be used with other ingredients.
They can be eaten with avocado toppings, for example, and everything from bagel seasoning, to sliced apples, to peanut butter.
They are also easy to transport on trips when stored in a sealed container.
Are rice cakes healthy? Cons:
High carbohydrates, high glycemic score
Rice cakes are usually made from processed white rice and only provide “empty” calories.
They are also known for their high glycemic index score, which means they can quickly raise blood glucose levels.
All-around nutritionally low score
Some whole grains, such as wild rice, black rice, and brown rice, can have antioxidants.
However, studies have shown that puffing reduces the levels of these delicate antioxidants in rice cake.
It is better to eat regular whole grain rice.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Store Rice Cakes
Should rice cakes be refrigerated?
Rice cakes will quickly grow stale if left out in the open, so if they are not consumed the same day their store-container is opened, then yes, keep rice cakes in the refrigerator for up to three days. However, it is undeniable that rice cakes taste best when eaten fresh.
How long can rice cake sit out?
Several authors say rice should not sit out longer than 24 hours when stored at room temperature.
Afterword: How to store rice cakes
Rice cakes are a convenient and usually gluten-free substitute for bread.
However, they are best eaten fresh and don’t keep well when left out.
Keep rice cakes in an airtight container and store them in a dry, cool place or freezer when necessary.