Rice crackers

Rice crackers are thin, crisp snacks made from pressed and baked or fried rice, ranging from plain, lightly salted styles to Japanese-inspired versions seasoned with soy sauce, seaweed, or wasabi. Their light, crunchy texture makes them a popular base for topping with a small slice of cheese, a bit of smoked fish, or a dab of hummus, and they are commonly packaged in individual snack-sized portions for portability. Because they are typically gluten-free, rice crackers also show up as a cracker substitute for those avoiding wheat-based snacks.

A standard serving (30 g) provides 416 calories, 10 g of protein and 233 mg of sodium, with 37% DV of magnesium and 20% DV of protein per serving, figures that are notably higher than many plain cracker varieties. Because rice crackers are calorie-dense and easy to eat past a single serving straight from the bag, portioning them out onto a plate rather than snacking directly from the package can help keep intake in check. Store opened packages in an airtight container or resealable bag to keep them from going stale or soft, since exposure to air is what causes crackers to lose their signature crunch. A quick check for freshness before serving, snapping one in half to confirm a clean, crisp break rather than a soft bend, can save a whole snack platter from an underwhelming batch.