Homestyle Rice Pudding – A delicious, old fashioned recipe just like Grandma made! It only requires 5 basic ingredients, plus sweet cinnamon and raisins if you prefer them.

Looking for more old fashioned classics? Try my Bread Pudding recipe or Oatmeal Cake.

A rich and creamy, easy to prepare dessert that young and old alike will love! It is such a nostalgic treat.

There are so many different flavors and mix-ins you can add too, for ideas see below.

What is rice pudding?

It is a well known dish common in many countries around the world. It is made up of white rice, milk or water, sometimes thickeners like eggs are added and a fat like butter to make it richer. And when made as a dessert it’s usually sweetened (with something like sugar) and often flavored with cinnamon and raisins.

It is a great dessert to make year round with pantry staples!

What does it taste like?

It has a simple yet unique and delicious flavor – a very rice rich flavor complimented by a nice level of sweetness. And with added cinnamon maybe something like horchata to find a familiar flavor.

Rice Pudding Ingredients

The staple ingredients you’ll need for this recipe include:

  • Whole milk: I like to make this rich so I go with whole milk for the best richness, consistency and flavor.
  • Granulated sugar: I don’t like this super sweet but you can add more sugar to taste. Brown sugar works great too.
  • Long grain rice: Other types of rice will work well too, such as jasmine rice or medium grain rice.
  • Salt: Just standard table salt or sea salt will work great here.
  • Vanilla: This gives it a great background flavor and adds more of a dessert taste.
  • Ground cinnamon (optional): It can be definitely be made without but I prefer the flavor with. If you love cinnamon feel free to double up the amount.
  • Raisins (optional): If you aren’t a fan of raisins then feel free to leave this out. Brown, red or golden raisins work great.

How to Make Rice Pudding

  • Mix ingredients in saucepan: In a medium non-stick saucepan whisk together milk, sugar, rice, salt and cinnamon.
  • Simmer uncovered: Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat then reduce to low and let simmer, uncovered until rice is tender and mixture has thickened, stirring frequently, about 30 – 35 minutes.
  • Mix in raisins if using and vanilla: Remove from heat, stir in raisins and vanilla let rest a few minutes before serving. Note that it will thicken more as it cools, thin with a little milk if desired.

Can it be made with cooked leftover rice?

Yes. To prepare with cooked rice:

  • You’ll need 3 cups cooked rice for this recipe.
  • Simmer for about 20 – 25 minutes.
  • Sweeten to taste with more sugar.

How to Cook it in the Slow Cooker

Another option to make this rice pudding is to cook in a crockpot, to do so:

  • Pour 2 Tbsp melted butter into 4 quart slow cooker.
  • Mix in 3 cups milk, 2/3 cup long grain rice, 1/3 cup sugar (or more to taste), 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 tsp vanilla.
  • Cover and cook on low heat about 4 – 5 hours.

How long does rice pudding keep?

It should keep well in the fridge for about 3 days.

Can it be frozen?

Yes. It can be frozen in an airtight container up to 3 months. Thaw overnight.

How to Reheat

To rewarm you can reheat in a medium saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally and thinning with more milk.

Is rice pudding healthy?

A common question people want answered is whether or not rice pudding is healthy. I think it’s a good dessert choice. And it’s definitely a smarter option than say a slice of cake, which is usually jam packed with sugar and refined white flour.

It’s not a health food but I think it’s a better option.

It still has added sugar. To make it healthier you can sweeten it with something else like a few tablespoons honey or maple syrup, and also consider switching to low fat milk.

Is rice pudding gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free just be sure to use ingredients that are labeled gluten-free to avoid cross contamination in facilities that may produce or package other products that have gluten.

Possible Variations

A traditional way to prepare it here in the U.S., Mexico and other countries is to add cinnamon and raisins but there are so many variations on this treat. Here are a few ideas:

  • Add coconut and coconut extract. Replace half of the whole milk with canned coconut milk.
  • Finish with fresh fruit like diced mangoes, strawberries, bananas or cherries.
  • Drizzle with a fruit sauce.
  • Flavor with citrus (lemon, lime or orange zest).
  • Use other spices like nutmeg, cardamom, ginger, anise, cloves, allspice or try with a whole cinnamon stick.
  • Sweeten with other things like date syrup, brown sugar or honey.
  • Try it with nuts like pistachios, almonds or walnuts. Adding at the end or garnishing servings.

More Delicious Desserts to Try

  • Cheesecake
  • Key Lime Pie
  • Mini Banana Cream Pies
  • Sticky Toffee Pudding
  • Vanilla Ice Cream

5 from 1 vote Review Recipe

Rice Pudding

A delicious, old fashioned recipe just like Grandma made! It only requires 5 basic ingredients, plus cinnamon and raisins if you like them! It’s rich and creamy and so easy to make.

Servings: 4

Prep10 minutesCook40 minutesReady in: 50 minutes

Ingredients3 1/4 cups (770ml) whole milk3 1/2 Tbsp (45g) granulated sugar*, or more to taste1/2 cup (100g) long grain white rice1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, plus more for serving (optional)1/4 tsp (heaping) salt1/4 cup (45g) brown or golden raisins (optional)1 tsp vanilla extract

InstructionsIn a medium non-stick saucepan whisk together milk, sugar, rice, salt and cinnamon.Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat then reduce to low and let simmer, uncovered until rice is tender and mixture has thickened, stirring frequently, about 30 - 35 minutes (note that mixture will thicken more as it cools).Remove from heat, stir in raisins and vanilla let rest a few minutes before serving. Dust servings with more cinnamon.

Notes *Another sweetener may be substituted like brown sugar, honey or maple syrup.

Nutrition Facts Rice Pudding

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 323 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%Saturated Fat 4g25%Cholesterol 19mg6%Sodium 229mg10%Potassium 398mg11%Carbohydrates 58g19%Fiber 1g4%Sugar 32g36%Protein 9g18% Vitamin A 311IU6%Vitamin C 1mg1%Calcium 233mg23%Iron 1mg6% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: DessertCuisine: EuropeanKeyword: Rice Pudding Author: Jaclyn

5 from 1 vote

Review Recipe

Nutrition Facts Rice Pudding

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 323 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%Saturated Fat 4g25%Cholesterol 19mg6%Sodium 229mg10%Potassium 398mg11%Carbohydrates 58g19%Fiber 1g4%Sugar 32g36%Protein 9g18% Vitamin A 311IU6%Vitamin C 1mg1%Calcium 233mg23%Iron 1mg6% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Nutrition Facts

Rice Pudding

	Amount Per Serving

Calories 323 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Cholesterol 19mg6%

Sodium 229mg10%

Potassium 398mg11%

Carbohydrates 58g19%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 32g36%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin A 311IU6%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 233mg23%

Iron 1mg6%

  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: DessertCuisine: EuropeanKeyword: Rice Pudding

Author: Jaclyn