Easy Rice Cake Desserts (Chocolate Peanut Butter & More)
These easy rice cake desserts are a quick, no-bake treat made with simple ingredients like peanut butter, dairy-free chocolate chips, and shredded coconut. They’re perfect when you’re craving something sweet but want to keep it light, wholesome, and plant-based. With lots of delicious topping variations to choose from, these rice cake treats are fun to customize and come together in just minutes!
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At my house, we make these healthy vegan rice cake desserts all the time. They’re one of my favorite go-to treats when guests stop by because they’re so quick to throw together and perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee and good conversation.
Our favorite is definitely the chocolate peanut butter version, but honestly, there are so many delicious ways to switch them up—and I’m sharing plenty of easy rice cake topping ideas with you below!
If you love having simple, healthy vegan desserts you can make in minutes, be sure to also try my easy stuffed dates or this 10-minute vegan chocolate mousse. They’re both tried-and-true crowd-pleasers around here, too.
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Rice Cake Desserts
- Quick and easy to make – ready in just minutes with no baking required
- Simple, wholesome ingredients – made with pantry staples like rice cakes, peanut butter, and dairy-free chocolate chips
- Healthy vegan dessert option – completely plant-based and easy to keep light and nourishing
- Perfect for last-minute guests – a quick, sweet treat that feels special without any fuss
- Endless topping variations – customize with chocolate, coconut, fruit, nuts, and more
- Kid-friendly and family-approved – fun to make and even more fun to eat
- Great with coffee or tea – the perfect little treat for relaxing moments or friendly conversations
- Naturally gluten-free option (depending on rice cakes used)
- No-bake convenience – no oven needed, making them perfect for warm days
- Easy portion control – make one or a whole batch depending on your needs
Key Ingredients & Why They’re So Good
🥥 Shredded Coconut
Adds natural sweetness and a chewy texture, plus it pairs beautifully with chocolate and nut butters for that perfect flavor combo.
🥜 Peanut Butter
Adds a creamy, rich texture and delicious flavor while providing plant-based protein and healthy fats to help keep you satisfied.
🌰 Nuts
Bring a satisfying crunch along with heart-healthy fats, fiber, and extra protein—perfect for making these treats more filling.
🍫 Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips
A sweet, melty touch that makes these rice cake desserts feel indulgent while still being completely vegan. I order dairy-free and nut-free chocolate chips online.
How to Make Healthy Rice Cake Desserts
STEP #1: Evenly spread your choice of peanut butter or other nut butter onto the rice cake.
STEP #2: Sprinkle with crushed nuts and chocolate chips. I like to use walnuts and pecans.
STEP #3: Add some shredded coconut over the top and serve immediately!
Variations & Substitutions
These healthy rice cakes are incredibly flexible, so feel free to switch things up based on what you have on hand. While peanut butter is a favorite, almond butter, cashew butter, and even sunflower seed butter make delicious, creamy alternatives. If you’re in the mood for something a little different, a layer of fruit jam or preserves can add natural sweetness and a fun twist.
You can also boost both flavor and nutrition by adding fresh fruit like sliced bananas and strawberries, which bring natural sweetness, color, and fiber. For extra texture, try adding granola, seeds, or chopped nuts on top.
Rice Cake Dessert Topping Ideas
One of the best things about these easy rice cake desserts is how simple they are to customize. You can switch up the toppings based on what you have on hand or what you’re craving. Here are some of our favorite combinations:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Classic – peanut butter + dairy-free chocolate chips + shredded coconut
- Peanut Butter Banana Berry – peanut butter + fresh banana slices + strawberries + a sprinkle of chia seeds
- Chocolate Coconut Delight – melted dairy-free chocolate + coconut flakes
- Almond Joy Inspired – almond butter + chocolate chips + coconut
- Apple Cinnamon Crunch – peanut butter + thin apple slices + cinnamon + a drizzle of maple syrup
- Berry Chocolate Treat – dairy-free chocolate + fresh berries
- Peanut Butter & Jelly – peanut butter + your favorite fruit spread or mashed berries
- Tropical Coconut – coconut yogurt + pineapple + toasted coconut
Feel free to get creative! You can easily swap peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter, depending on your preference or dietary needs.
No matter how you top them, these rice cake dessert ideas are a quick, delicious way to enjoy a sweet, plant-based treat in minutes.
Tips for the Dairy-Free Best Rice Cake Treats
- Use fresh, crisp rice cakes – stale rice cakes can taste chewy instead of light and crunchy
- Warm the nut butter slightly – this makes it easier to spread and helps toppings stick better
- Melt the chocolate chips – for a smoother, more indulgent drizzle (microwave in short bursts)
- Layer smartly – spread first (like peanut butter), then add lighter toppings, then drizzle chocolate last
- Don’t overload – too many toppings can make them hard to eat and cause everything to slide off
- Add toppings right before serving – especially if using fruit, to keep everything fresh and crisp
- Mix textures – combine creamy (nut butter), crunchy (nuts), and chewy (coconut) for the best bite
- Sweeten naturally – use fruit, a drizzle of maple syrup, or dates instead of refined sugar when possible
- Cut into pieces for serving – great for parties or sharing as bite-sized treats
- Try different rice cake flavors – plain, lightly salted, or even cinnamon can change things up
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t recommend making these ahead of time because rice cakes become stale quiet quickly. One hour ahead is okay, but it’s best to add fresh fruit or delicate toppings right before serving to keep them crisp and fresh.
Absolutely! They’re made with simple, plant-based ingredients and can be customized with nutritious toppings like nut butters, fresh fruit, seeds, and nuts for fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Definitely! Plain, lightly salted, or cinnamon-flavored rice cakes all work. Flavored rice cakes can add extra taste, but make sure the flavors complement your toppings.
There are approximately 13 grams of fat in each dessert cake. To lower the fat content, reduce the peanut butter to 1/2 a tablespoon and omit any nuts.
More Easy Diary-Free Desserts
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Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Cake Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 rice cake
- 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon walnuts, crushed
- 1 teaspoon dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon shredded coconut
Instructions
- Evenly spread your choice of peanut butter or other nut butter onto the rice cake.
- Sprinkle with crushed nuts and chocolate chips. I like to use walnuts and pecans.
- Add some shredded coconut over the top and serve immediately!
Video
Notes
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Classic – peanut butter + dairy-free chocolate chips + shredded coconut
- Peanut Butter Banana Berry – peanut butter + fresh banana slices + strawberries + a sprinkle of chia seeds
- Chocolate Coconut Delight – melted dairy-free chocolate + coconut flakes
- Almond Joy Inspired – almond butter + chocolate chips + coconut
- Apple Cinnamon Crunch – peanut butter + thin apple slices + cinnamon + a drizzle of maple syrup
- Berry Chocolate Treat – dairy-free chocolate + fresh berries
- Peanut Butter & Jelly – peanut butter + your favorite fruit spread or mashed berries
- Tropical Coconut – coconut yogurt + pineapple + toasted coconut
- Use fresh, crisp rice cakes – stale rice cakes can taste chewy instead of light and crunchy
- Warm the nut butter slightly – this makes it easier to spread and helps toppings stick better
- Melt the chocolate chips – for a smoother, more indulgent drizzle (microwave in short bursts)
- Layer smartly – spread first (like peanut butter), then add lighter toppings, then drizzle chocolate last
- Don’t overload – too many toppings can make them hard to eat and cause everything to slide off
- Add toppings right before serving – especially if using fruit, to keep everything fresh and crisp
- Mix textures – combine creamy (nut butter), crunchy (nuts), and chewy (coconut) for the best bite
- Sweeten naturally – use fruit, a drizzle of maple syrup, or dates instead of refined sugar when possible
- Cut into pieces for serving – great for parties or sharing as bite-sized treats
- Try different rice cake flavors – plain, lightly salted, or even cinnamon can change things up
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I’m the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I’m passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to help others care well for their health and the bodies God has given us. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
This is one dessert we make all the time. It’s just so simple, full of protein and fiber, and it’s delicious. Trust me, you’re going to love it!