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Chocolate rice cakes are what you grab when you want chocolate but not a whole candy bar. They’re crunchy, a little sweet, and gone in about four bites.
So how many calories are in chocolate rice cakes? Here’s the quick nutrition answer: a store-bought one has about 55 to 60 calories, with roughly 12 g of carbs and 4 g of sugar. Homemade ones dipped in dark chocolate land closer to 110, because there’s a lot more real chocolate on top.
But they’re not all the same. Some use milk chocolate chips and extra sugar, some have a proper layer of dark chocolate, and serving sizes change from brand to brand. Below I’ll break down the nutrition facts, compare three popular brands, and show you how to make your own in about 20 minutes.
I’ve made this recipe more times than I can count, mostly for family and friends who eat gluten-free. And I can never pick just one topping, so a batch usually ends up with a little of everything: peanut butter and banana, flaky sea salt, nuts, coconut, and a few left plain.
Chocolate rice cakes nutrition facts and macros
Most people eat more than one, so here’s what one, two, and three cakes add up to. These are the numbers from the Quaker chocolate rice cakes nutrition label, the most common brand in US stores. If you want to compare labels yourself, the FDA has a simple guide to reading the Nutrition Facts label.
| Quaker chocolate rice cakes nutrition | 1 cake | 2 cakes | 3 cakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 60 | 120 | 180 |
| Total carbs | 12 g | 24 g | 36 g |
| Total sugars | 4 g | 8 g | 12 g |
| Added sugars | 3 g | 6 g | 9 g |
| Fat | 1 g | 2 g | 3 g |
| Protein | 1 g | 2 g | 3 g |
| Fiber | 0 g | 0 g | 0 g |
| Sodium | 40 mg | 80 mg | 120 mg |
And here’s an estimate for one homemade cake from the recipe below (dark chocolate and coconut oil only, no toppings):
| Homemade dark chocolate rice cake | 1 cake (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | about 110 |
| Carbs | about 13 g |
| Sugar | about 3.5 g |
| Fat | about 6 g |
| Protein | about 2 g |
The homemade one has more calories and fat because it carries a real layer of chocolate, but a little less sugar if you use 70% dark chocolate. The exact numbers depend on your chocolate brand and how much ends up on each cake.
Look at the macros on both and the same thing stands out: very little fiber and protein. That’s why one chocolate rice cake won’t keep you full for long, and why a topping with protein helps a lot.
What are chocolate rice cakes?
They’re puffed rice cakes with chocolate added, and you’ll see two styles:
- Chocolate-flavored rice cakes: The chocolate is part of the cake itself, usually cocoa, sugar, and small chocolate chips mixed in with the rice. Light and crunchy, like Quaker’s.
- Chocolate-topped rice cakes (or thins): A thin rice cake with a solid layer of real chocolate on one side. These taste richer and eat more like a chocolate bar.
Chocolate rice cake ingredients are short: puffed brown rice plus cocoa, sugar, or real chocolate. The base is usually whole grain brown rice, which is naturally gluten-free. If you want the full rundown on what’s in the cake part, I wrote a whole guide on what rice cakes are made of.
Store-bought chocolate rice cakes compared
These three are easy to find and each one is a different style. Recipes and labels change, so check the bag before you buy.
Quaker Chocolate Rice Cakes: calories and nutrition facts
The classic in most US supermarkets. Each Quaker chocolate rice cake has 60 calories, 12 g of carbs, 4 g of sugar (3 g of it added), 1 g of fat, and 1 g of protein, plus 10 g of whole grains. They’re labeled gluten-free.
The chocolate flavor comes from milk chocolate chips, cocoa, sugar, and fructose mixed into the brown rice. That means they contain milk and soy, so they’re not a dairy-free pick.
Best for: a cheap, light snack that works well with toppings.
More info: Quaker’s website
Lundberg Sweet Dreams Organic Dark Chocolate Rice Cakes
Thin organic brown rice cakes coated in 66% cacao dark chocolate. One serving is 2 cakes: 120 calories, 21 g of carbs, 4 g of sugar, 5 g of fat, 2 g of fiber, and 2 g of protein.
That’s the most fiber of the three, and only 2 g of sugar per cake. The ingredient list is short (brown rice, dark chocolate, cocoa butter), but the label says they may contain milk.
Best for: dark chocolate fans who want organic ingredients.
More info: Lundberg Family Farms
Kallø Organic Belgian Dark Chocolate Rice Cake Thins
Popular in the UK and Europe. These are thin rice cakes with a thick layer of Belgian dark chocolate, about 55 to 60 calories per thin depending on the pack size. The ingredients are just organic dark chocolate (cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa butter) and organic rice.
There’s no dairy in the recipe, but the factory also handles milk, so check the label if you’re avoiding it strictly.
Best for: the simplest ingredient list and a real chocolate-bar feel.
More info: Kallø’s website
Quick comparison (per cake)
| Brand | Chocolate | Calories | Carbs | Sugar | Fiber | Organic | Gluten-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quaker Chocolate | Milk chocolate chips + cocoa | 60 | 12 g | 4 g | 0 g | No | Yes |
| Lundberg Sweet Dreams Dark | 66% dark chocolate | 60 | 10.5 g | 2 g | 1 g | Yes | Yes |
| Kallø Belgian Dark Thins | Belgian dark chocolate | 55 to 60 | 6 to 7 g | about 2.7 g | about 0.8 g | Yes | Yes |
| Homemade (recipe below) | Your choice | about 110 | about 13 g | about 3.5 g | about 1.5 g | Your choice | Yes, with GF rice cakes |
Are chocolate rice cakes healthy?
Are chocolate rice cakes good for you? They can be a better pick than a candy bar or a couple of cookies, which usually have more calories and fat. But they’re still a sweet snack, and it helps to know the trade-offs.
- They digest fast. Puffed rice is mostly starch, so it can raise blood sugar quickly, especially when you eat it on its own.
- The sugar adds up. 4 g in one Quaker cake is small, but three cakes is 12 g.
- They won’t fill you up. With 1 to 2 g of protein and little fiber, you’ll probably be hungry again soon.
They’re also not a low-carb snack, so if you’re eating keto, skip down to the FAQ.
My honest take: choose dark chocolate and a short ingredient list, stick to one or two cakes, and add a protein topping like peanut butter or Greek yogurt. Or make them yourself so you decide how much chocolate and sugar goes on. And if you’re wondering about plain ones too, here’s my full answer on are rice cakes healthy, including blood sugar, weight loss, and the best toppings.
Chocolate rice cake recipe: how to make them at home
Homemade chocolate rice cakes are almost too easy. You need plain rice cakes, good dark chocolate, and a teaspoon of coconut oil. That’s it! About 5 minutes of work, then 15 minutes in the fridge.
Why bother when you can buy them? Because you choose everything. You can use 70% dark chocolate for less sugar, dairy-free chocolate for a vegan version, and add whatever toppings you like. And they taste more like a real chocolate bar than most store-bought ones.
What you’ll need
- Plain rice cakes: Lightly salted or unsalted. Thin ones give a crispier, more chocolate-bar texture. If you’re baking for someone with celiac disease, use ones labeled gluten-free.
- Dark chocolate: 100 g (3.5 oz), chopped, or chips. I like 70% for a rich flavor that isn’t too sweet.
- Coconut oil: Just 1 teaspoon. It thins the chocolate so it spreads easily and sets glossy.
- Flaky sea salt: Optional, but a pinch on top makes the chocolate taste even richer.
- Toppings: Optional. Peanut butter for drizzling, chopped nuts, or coconut.
The steps that matter
Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in 30-second bursts, stirring each time. Stop when a few small lumps are left and keep stirring. They’ll melt from the heat of the bowl.
Then dip the top of each rice cake, or spread the chocolate on with a spoon, and let the extra drip back into the bowl. Add toppings right away while the chocolate is still wet, or they won’t stick.
Chill on a parchment-lined tray for about 15 minutes, until the chocolate is firm and doesn’t smudge when you touch it. The full recipe is in the card at the bottom of the post.
Tips for the best chocolate rice cakes
Don’t overheat the chocolate. It scorches fast in the microwave and turns thick and grainy. Short bursts and lots of stirring!
Keep water away. Even a few drops from a wet spoon can make melted chocolate seize into a stiff paste. If it happens, stir in another teaspoon of coconut oil and it usually loosens up.
Use thin rice cakes for a crispier bite. Regular thick ones work too, they just taste more like a snack than a candy bar.
Rice cakes with milk chocolate work too. They’re sweeter, and the chocolate sets a little softer, so give them a few extra minutes in the fridge.
For a vegan version, use dairy-free dark chocolate and check that your rice cakes have no milk in them.
If you see white streaks on the chocolate after a day or two, that’s just cocoa butter rising to the surface from temperature changes. It looks a bit dull, but it’s completely fine to eat.
How to store homemade chocolate rice cakes
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Put a sheet of parchment between layers so the chocolate doesn’t stick to the cake above it.
If your kitchen is warm, store them in the fridge so the chocolate stays firm. Just know the rice cakes can soften a little in the fridge after a few days, so they’re crunchiest in the first 2 or 3.
Store-bought chocolate rice cakes don’t need the fridge. Once the bag is open, clip it shut or move them to a container so they don’t go stale.
Chocolate rice cake topping ideas
The chocolate is only the start. Amounts below are for one cake.
- Peanut butter and banana: 1 tablespoon peanut butter and 4 or 5 thin banana slices. The classic, and the protein makes it more filling.
- Greek yogurt and berries: 2 tablespoons thick Greek yogurt with a few raspberries. Add it right before eating so the cake stays crisp.
- Almond butter and cinnamon: 1 tablespoon almond butter and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Sea salt and almonds: 1 tablespoon chopped toasted almonds and a few flakes of sea salt, pressed into the wet chocolate.
- Cookie crumbs: Crumble a homemade cookie over the wet chocolate for a dessert version. Find one in my gluten-free cookies.
Prefer caramel to chocolate? Try my caramel rice cakes next.
Chocolate rice cakes FAQ
How many calories are in a chocolate rice cake?
Store-bought ones have about 55 to 60 calories each. A homemade cake coated in dark chocolate is around 110, depending on how much chocolate you use. For comparison, a plain rice cake is about 35, according to USDA FoodData Central.
How many calories are in 3 chocolate rice cakes?
Three Quaker chocolate rice cakes have 180 calories, 36 g of carbs, and 12 g of sugar.
How many carbs are in a chocolate rice cake?
12 g in one Quaker cake, about 10.5 g in one Lundberg dark chocolate cake, and roughly 6 to 7 g in one Kallø thin.
How many calories are in a Quaker rice cake?
The chocolate ones have 60 calories each. The lightly salted ones have 35 calories, 7 g of carbs, and 0 g of sugar per cake, because there’s no chocolate or sugar on them.
How many calories are in chocolate rice cake thins?
About 55 to 60 each for the Lundberg and Kallø thins. The cake is thinner, but the chocolate layer makes up the difference, so they end up close to a regular Quaker chocolate cake.
Are Quaker chocolate rice cakes gluten-free?
Yes, they’re labeled gluten-free. They do contain milk and soy, though. In the US, a gluten-free label means the food has less than 20 parts per million of gluten. This gluten-free labeling fact sheet from Clemson University explains the rule.
Are chocolate rice cakes good for weight loss?
They’re low in calories, so they can fit into a weight loss plan. The problem is they’re not very filling on their own. Pair one with protein, like Greek yogurt or peanut butter, so it actually holds you over.
I cover rice cakes for weight loss in more detail here.
Are chocolate rice cakes keto friendly?
No. One Quaker cake has 12 g of carbs, and even a Kallø thin has 6 to 7 g. That’s a big chunk of a typical keto day, and it’s easy to eat two or three.
Can kids eat chocolate rice cakes?
Yes, they’re a popular lunchbox snack. Making them at home lets you control the sugar and the type of chocolate.
Do chocolate rice cakes need to be refrigerated?
Store-bought ones don’t. Homemade ones are fine at room temperature unless your kitchen is warm, in which case the fridge keeps the chocolate firm.
More gluten-free treats
If you want something bigger than a rice cake, browse my gluten-free desserts or bake a gluten-free cake for the weekend.
If you make these chocolate rice cakes, I’d love to know which toppings you tried. Leave a rating in the recipe card below, and tell me in the comments if you made a dairy-free version.
