What Can I Make with Rice?
With just rice, you can make surprisingly versatile dishes—start with Nutella Rice Crispy Treats for a no-bake dessert that's gooey and chocolatey, or try savory onigiri rice balls if you prefer a traditional Japanese option. Rice transforms into everything from sweet treats to portable meals depending on whether you cook it fresh or use day-old rice.
Top recipeNutella Rice Crispy Treats
Marshmallow-free Nutella rice crispy treats made in minutes with no baking required. Gooey, chocolatey, and infinitely easier than the original.
Ingredients
- •Nutella
- •butter
- •rice crispy cereal
- •salt
Steps
- 1Combine Nutella and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between, until smooth and pourable (~1 minute total).
- 2Add rice crispy cereal and salt. Fold gently with a rubber spatula until every piece is coated.
- 3Press mixture firmly into a buttered 8x8-inch baking dish, using a spatula or your fingers.
- 4Refrigerate for 8 minutes until set. Cut into 12 squares and serve at room temperature.
Why this works
Rice is one of the most forgiving pantry staples because it absorbs flavors while providing structure. In Nutella Rice Crispy Treats, the rice acts as a textural vehicle for chocolate and marshmallow spread, creating that signature crunch against gooey filling—no oven required. The key is using melted butter and Nutella to coat the rice evenly, then pressing firmly into a pan so everything holds together when it cools.
What makes rice so valuable in the kitchen is its neutral canvas quality. You can dress it up with sweet toppings like chocolate and caramel, or go savory with nori seaweed, pickled plums, and sesame seeds (as in onigiri). Day-old rice actually works better for crispy treats because it's slightly drier and won't clump; fresh rice tends to get mushy when mixed with warm ingredients.
Onigiri rice balls showcase another side of rice's versatility—they're shaped by hand, require minimal ingredients beyond the rice itself, and can be filled with anything from umeboshi (pickled plum) to grilled salmon. These Japanese comfort foods are perfect for meal prep because they stay fresh for hours and are genuinely satisfying despite being humble.
The cooking technique matters too. For crispy treats, you're essentially making a no-bake confection where heat comes only from melted butter and chocolate. For onigiri, the rice should be warm and slightly sticky (cooked with proper water ratio) so it holds its shape, but not so wet that it falls apart in your hands. Both approaches prove that rice dishes don't need lengthy prep or special equipment.
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Open the recipe finder →Frequently asked
Can I use brown rice or arborio rice instead of white rice?
Brown rice will work but yields a denser, less crispy texture in treats because it's chewier. Arborio rice is too starchy and will clump. Stick with regular white rice for the best results.
How do I store rice crispy treats, and how long do they last?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They firm up as they cool, so serve them within a few hours if you prefer that gooey center. Refrigeration can make them harder.
What if I don't have Nutella—what else can I use?
Try peanut butter, chocolate spread, or even melted chocolate mixed with butter. You can also go savory with soy sauce, sesame oil, and furikake seasoning for an Asian-inspired version.
Can I make these treats vegan?
Yes—substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter, and use a vegan chocolate spread or make your own with cocoa powder and coconut oil. The texture will be nearly identical.
How much rice do I need for a standard batch?
Most recipes use 3-4 cups of cooked or day-old rice (about 1 cup uncooked), which yields 16-20 treats depending on size. Scale the Nutella and butter proportionally if you're doubling the batch.
What else can I make with just rice?
You can shape onigiri rice balls with nori and fillings, make rice pudding with milk and sugar, fry leftover rice with soy sauce for fried rice, or create a rice salad with vinegar and vegetables. Check CookSnap for variations like umeboshi onigiri or 5-minute onigiri options.
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