June 14, 2023 | By Jami

Parmesan Rice Cakes Recipe - Simple & Delicious

Name: Parmesan Rice Cakes (Rice Patties)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked rice, (brown rice preferred, but any kind works); 3/4 cup bread crumbs ((Gluten Free: omit and see note below to adjust recipe)); 3 eggs; 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup onion (finely minced); 3/4 teaspoon salt, (or to taste); 3/4 teaspoon black pepper; oil for pan

Jump to Recipe

Parmesan rice cakes taste so good, you won't believe how basic the ingredients are and how quick they come together. Rice patties are a great way to use up leftover rice for a new easy side dish or meatless main. Easily made gluten free.

Some links in this article are affiliate links and if you click on them and purchase I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

This recipe for Parmesan rice cakes is one of my most popular recipes, both with my family and here on the website.

In fact, it was one of the first recipes I published back in 2009 since I knew it was a winner - just like my super easy homemade ketchup and simple homemade chocolate syrup.

When our kids were younger, we ate Parmesan rice cakes - or rice patties, if you prefer - at least a couple times a month. And each time one of them usually cheered, they loved them so much.

Now I make them a bit less, but it's still a wonderful way to use up leftover rice.

In fact, when I make our menus one of my tricks is to use planned leftovers - making more rice than I need one night so that I can make this recipe the next day (it's a great way to make menu planning easier and save money).

You can always make rice specifically for this recipe, but then you'd have to think about it about an hour earlier in order to cook the rice (which doesn't happen often for me!).

MEAL PREP IDEA FOR RICE

If you like to meal prep, you can make all the rice you needed for the week - or even two weeks - and then freeze the rice in portions for the recipes and meals you're planning.

Rice freezes really well, you'd just need to remember to thaw it first before making the parmesan rice cakes.

OR you can make the rice patties themselves and freeze them - they're easy to heat in the air fryer/toaster oven or microwave.

Ingredients Needed

The five ingredients you need to make parmesan rice cakes are all real and very simple:

cooked rice
homemade bread crumbs - this recipe is a great way to use these up - you can use gluten-free bread crumbs if needed - or omit them (see below)
onion
eggs
Parmesan cheese
salt, pepper, and optional parsley or chives

TO MAKE GLUTEN FREE-GRAIN FREE: You don't have to use the bread crumbs - you can use just the eggs and parmesan to hold them together if you use a full cup of the parmesan (to 3 cups rice as in the recipe).

Supplies Needed

Griddle (or frying pan) - I used to have a full-sized griddle like this and now I use a square electric skillet and cook a in a couple batches (it takes up less room and can use it for other things).
Wide spatula safe for griddle or a silicone-coated 'fish turner' which I now use for almost everything, it works so well!
Measuring cups - I prefer stainless steel measuring cups.
Mixing bowl - I use the bowls in this set of three glass bowls all the time for recipes like this and lots others.

rice patties on white platter from above

To make the patties, simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.

The mixture should look wet - if it's dry, add another egg (your eggs could be a different size than mine, it's better to be more wet than dry).

If you use a griddle to cook them, you can do a whole batch at one time. If using a pan you can keep the cooked patties warm in a 200 degree oven while cooking the rest of the patties.

TIP: Shape the cakes using a 1/4 measuring cup to get almost equal-sized patties and then flip the cup over onto the griddle or pan and use the back of the measuring cup to flatten the patty.

The total time for this recipe from start to finish is only about 15 minutes - simple and easy, two of my criteria that make for a great recipe! Well, after tasting good, that is.

Ingredient Swaps & Variations

Use any kind of rice you have - white, brown, arborio, jasmine.
Make gluten free by omitting the bread crumbs and increasing the cheese to 1 cup.
Switch up the cheese - try cheddar, gouda, jack, havarti.
Add herbs to the mixture before cooking - chives, chopped basil, chopped parsley, thyme.
Add some spice - use a 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.

cooked rice patties from side on platter

FAQs

How long do cooked rice cakes last in the fridge?

About 3 to 5 days in the fridge - for longer storage, freeze for 3 to 5 months.

How do you reheat leftover rice cakes (patties)?

Use a toaster oven or air fryer to reheat with crispy edges. You can also reheat in a microwave - wrap them in a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out, heating at 15-30 second intervals until warm.

Why make rice cakes with brown rice?

I prefer making the patties with brown rice because it's healthier than white rice. Rice in itself is a good source of carbohydrates and proteins and brown rice has more protein, lipids, minerals, and vitamins than refined white rice, because they've been stripped away during the refining process. You can, however, use any rice you have.

I promise you are going to love these...unless you have a dairy sensitivity, to which I can only say - I'm so sorry. Truly.

Serving suggestions

Serve as a side dish for any meat, poultry or seafood.
Make them the main dish for a meatless meal and serve with a salad.
Make ahead and grill them a few minutes to heat along with Soy Sriracha Chicken and Grilled Vegetables.
Serve them for lunch with cut veggies and Ranch or Feta Dip.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

4.43 from 200 votes

Parmesan Rice Cakes (Rice Patties)

Your whole family will love the flavor of this favorite side dish - it's a crispy, cheesy way to use up leftover rice! Easily made gluten free, too.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Yield: to 10 cakes

Author: Jami Boys

Equipment

griddle, skillet or electric skillet

Ingredients

3 cups cooked rice, brown rice preferred, but any kind works
3/4 cup bread crumbs (Gluten Free: omit and see note below to adjust recipe)
3 eggs
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup onion finely minced
3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
oil for pan

Instructions

Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well (TIP: if mixture seems dry, add another egg - it should hold together, but not be too runny).
Heat oil on a nonstick griddle or in a pan over medium-high heat.
Using a 1/4 cup measure, place a dollop of rice mixture on the griddle/pan, then use the back of the cup to flatten into a patty. Repeat with remaining rice mixture.
Cook the first side until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes, then flip and cook the other side until brown.
Serve immediately or see notes for storage options.

Notes

*Gluten Free Variation: Omit the bread crumbs and increase the cheese to 1 cup. Proceed with recipe as normal.

Storage & Make Ahead: Cover cooled patties and refrigerate until needed up to 5 days (or even freeze for longer storage, up to 5 months), reheating them in a 350 degree oven (or on the grill) for a few minutes until warm and crisp.

More Variations:

Add dried or fresh herbs to the mixture before cooking.
Use a different cheese: cheddar, gouda, pepper jack, havarti, etc.

Nutrition

Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!

More easy side dishes you may like:

Disclosure: affiliate links in this article will earn commission based on sales, but it doesn't change your price. Click here to read my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure.

About Jami

Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.